Heheh, thanks Alex. Yeah, as with a few other times in my life, talking to those folks was eye opening. I ended up having to send them OEM studs so they could verify some aspect of the thread pitch. I forget the term now (was several months ago) but I think it was the "pitch height" or something. Basically, most Japanese OEM studs do not conform to standard specs when they make head studs; they get all crazy with the shape of the "triangle" part of the threads. Ducati? Nope. Made to book specs for M10x1.50.
I mentioned durability and reliability... my guy started chuckling then explained how they developed this insane heat treating process to allow proper flexibity while retaining strength and preventing permanent stretch. Then he went on about how these studs are literally the same as for GS1000/1100 drag bikes but with 1.5 pitch at both ends (not 1.5 / 1.25). Those GS studs are on 1350+ cc, 15:1 and 16:1 compression ratio, 6 second quarter mile, blown, nitro-methane burning drag bikes making what 300+ hp? 400+? I've known APE was into fast bikes for over 20 years and have seen ~7 second Kawi drag bikes (like in the shop where I hung out as a punk kind). Incredible engineering.
They really wanted me to buy their nuts, too, but thus far, the Ducati market is making due with standard hardware, so I thought I'd save the expense. (for now)
Now, y'all can better understand why I'm beaming about this.

Chris