Top, a mounted case saver (this is prior to the black oxide sealer application)
Bottom, this worn case saver is from a customer's bike after a chain link gave way. The case saver absorbed the brunt of the hit from the chain, but only suffered a nick and was reusable.
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Desmo Times Case Saver Insert - $22
Ducati engine cases are made from Aluminum. With care, the cases will last indefinitely. Unfortunately, the death of many an engine casing is the chain. Should the chain break or a rear wheel tensioner fail the chain can gall the engine casing. If the casing gets compromised, it will have to be replaced, a repair that will cost thousands of dollars. The best prevention to such an occurrence is a steel insert that lines the area in front of the countershaft sprocket. Ducati used to make the item, but it came in bare steel (that quickly rusted) and cost almost $30. Ducati discontinued the item.
The Desmo Times Case Saver insert is made from steel and then black ozided and sealed to prevent rust. The inserts will work on any post-1990 Ducati with a clutch slave mounted next to the countershaft sprocket and running a 14-15 tooth countershaft sprocket. 16 tooth countershaft sprockets will NOT work with the case saver due to clearance problems. The inserts MAY work with previous generations of Pantah motor, but I haven't checked for fitment.
NOTE1: While my inserts have been coated to ward off rust, the mounting points of the case savers should be inspected yearly and repainted if necessary. This is especially true if the owner is using his/her Ducati frequently in the rain. In general, rust will not develop as the case saver will get coated in chain lube.
NOTE2: If you have a variant with the clutch slave cylinder mounted to the right side of the motor, my case savers will NOT work.
NOTE3: In certain strange instances, bikes without a deep sump engine have a protrusion from the side of the engine casing in front of the countershaft sprocket. This has happened in about 1 in every 200 bikes and requires dremeling a notch in the case saver.
My case saver works with my aftermarket vented sprocket cover.
To mount the case saver, remove the 3 bolts securing the slave cylinder and pull the slave cylinder away from the engine casing enough so that the case saver can slide into the cavity in front of the countershaft sprocket. Use low-strength loc-tite when reinstalling the slave cylinder bolts.
The case saver comes in 2 variants - one for all motors EXCEPT the DS1000/DS1100 and Deep Sump Testastretta motor and the other for the DS1000/DS1100 and 1098 motor. To determine if you have a deep sump testastretta, look at the bottom of your crankcase. If it looks like the picture below, you have a deep sump testastretta.
Above: The deep sump testastratta has a engine casing that comes into a point at the bottom, with the drain plug in the center.