Motorcycle Repair: Ducati 900 running problems, plug caps, ducati 900ss

Question
Chris,I run a Ducati 900ss 1993. Recently dropped onto one cylinder. After various checks by me one of the ignition pickups was showing open circuit. Unfortunately not wiring at fault so new pair fitted. Now starts and idles beautifully and picks up instantly with no misfire or loss of cylinder(s) when not under load. However getting rolling is another story. It requires much slipping of clutch to gather some road speed before it can be fully let out. At low revs (under 3000)it is incredibly lumpy but once shes going there is plenty of power and pulls as she should. I am aware Ducati 900s are not the smoothest bikes at low rpm but this is virtually unrideable and a drastic change from its former condition. When the initial pick-up failure started to show itself I had to ride home once or twice on one cylinder and that was a breeze in relation to this! I have checked the caps leads, coils and wiring and all are within range as given in the haynes (as are the new pick-ups). Battery is fully charged and in good condition. I have checked the timing (3 times) and it is spot on and advancing smoothly at 1500 rpm. I have checked the new wires from the ignition control units are correctly located in the old terminal blocks in their correct positions. I have fitted new plugs. Any ideas, advice welcome.

Answer
Hi Tim.

Being as I am not familiar with the details of Ducatis, I need to know if the bike is carburated or fuel injected.

If it is carburated, then check the synch.  It could be off.  There is also the possibility that the new plugs are somehow fouled.  Have you checked the new plugs for fouling?  check their state.  It could be a fuel delivery issue.  Also make sure that there is no frame grounding from the new coil wires and double-check the connections at the spark plug caps. If those connections are not totally good, then you will not get good spark.

Check those and let me know what you find.
Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON