DIY: $100 Custom M696 Oil Cooler

[doworkson]

So after reviewing all of the oil cooler threads and reading about some of the great custom kits, I decided that I could make one up myself. Sure, the cooler kits out there available from several places are great and real nice, but I was having a hard time swallowing spending $300, $400, or $500+ on getting one- especially with all the money already invested in exhaust, sliders, windscreen, etc.

What I came up with after all my research: Basically all Ducatis share the same oil cooler inlet/outlet ports on the righthand side of the engine case. This is the same for the M696 thought they are blocked by two plugs. Additionally, my research indicated that most of the Ducati models of the last 20 years or so have the same oil supply and return lines in the same placement. I found an oil cooler and lines on Ebay from an M750 for $60. Did a bit more research and found there are a few small parts needed to make the install work. Long story short, here is what will be needed for the install:

- Oil cooler + Lines from Ducati model within last few years $60
- 2 x Threaded Oil Line Nipples for Engine case + Washers $30
P# 420.2.006.4A and 815.1.022.1A
- Oil Bypass Spring $10 P# 799.2.077.2A
- New Oil (4 Quarts)

These are the basics. We removed the emissions canister and repositioned the horn and rectifier on a piece of aluminum to make room. The shroud was removed and the cooler mounted to the frame studs that held the shroud using M5 and M6 bolts, nuts, lockwashers, thick rubber washers (vibration dampening) and Nylon spacers. These totaled about $10 from various hardware stores. Additionally some tools of unique sizes are needed and we didn't have them so its worth mentioning so you are prepared (3 trips to Pep Boys in an hour isn't fun).

- 10mm Allen Wrench
- 21mm socket
- 19mm Open Ended Wrench
- Oil Filter wrench (oops, rookie move that shits in tight!)

The oil was drained, oil spring installed, plugs removed and nipples installed, and cooler mounted and lines routed. All in all took a few hours including messing around and finding tools. The stock lines mount just perfectly and look great. Painted the cooler and lines black (don't paint the lines, it chips) and reinstalled the filter and added ~3.5 quarts oil back in. Run for a few minutes level the bike and check the gauge turn off and add oil till it sits right at the top line. Don't add too much or leave out too much.

Pictures speak for themselves. So far the bike doesn't leak and runs at 2 bars (not hot yet here in Sacramento). Enjoy your "budget" oil cooler and ask questions.

[doworkson]

Also, if you want you could do your own lines using Earls fittings and braided steel lines but the fittings are pricey and the braided lines are a bitch to work with.

Like I said, it's not as pretty or nice looking as some of the oil coolers that are made specifically for the M696, but this does the trick. Idling for approx. 10-15 min the bike never went above 2 bars(70 degree's outside), and while riding, would fluctuate between 2-3 bars. There were no leaks, and it's has been running great.

[tango man]

looks great where did you get the screen form ?? thanks

[doworkson]

Barracuda Moto- out of Italy. Found a guy on Ebay that distributes for them from Canada... not sure of any US distributors...

[2-Skinny]

Beautiful! Love the bike and this is just the kind of write-up this forum needs! Good to see low budget mods to do for the "bike-poor" of us here. Keep up the good work... doworkson! I'm surprised this hasn't gotten more attention...???

[2-Skinny]

Bumpity Bump Bump!

[mykrrrr]

very cool mod. something i'll do someday.
thx for the write up.

[promotesrust]

thinking of doing this mod, What's the oil bypass spring, and where does it go?
thanks

[kid8five8]

awesome idea... thanks for the detailed info