Here's one for you Ducatistas

MotoSook · 08:34 PM

I bought these several months ago..maybe close to a year, but never got around to installing them...life takes a lot of time from garage toys

But!

I worked off and on last night and today to finally get them in. I also installed the NLA Powerbronze headlights. For some reason the clutch drained out on me over the winter (no leaks now)...so I flushed and filled that too.

Got back from the oldest son's football scrimmage and rushed into the garage before I loss daylight...got the headlights wired up and took her out around the subdivison.

I couldn't have imagined the change in the beast. Having parked it for over a year I was afraid to crack the throttle full open in first gear (wearing shorts and a tee shirt....I had a helmet). I could feel the front end coming up....tomorrow I give it a full work out in full gear.

These are a work of art. I love the linkage for the accelerator pumps....

Open up! Full port!

And back from the shake down run.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Looking good!.

The clutch slave o-ring is notorious on the Duc's for leaking. The "update" is to actually "backdate" the seal to the square cross-section one. Might be worth looking into...

MotoSook · 08-22-2008, 06:36 PM

Had to be something so simple on the slave

I'll put it on the list of things...incl. a superlight tail section after it gets too cold to ride. Heather was PO'd with me for fixing the Ducati and not the Ninja...she's been wanting to go for a ride...the Ninja makes for a better two up ride. Until I get the jetting right on the Ninja, she'll have to learn to like riding the Ducati.

Jeff K and I are probably going to take our Ducs out for a long ride......got your's in running order?

Britwrench · 08-22-2008, 06:40 PM

Nice !!!!!!!!!!!

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

I'm getting pressure from Joe who bought a 'busa recently but no.. Still holding down the garage floor. I wish I had a repair manual for it, I think it just needs an alternator and a voltage regulator... ...but without knowing what I'd be in for, I'm loathe to tackle this problem. (I blew my first v-reg, bought the "upgraded" Electrex one and it blew in 2 hours of use..)

MotoSook · 08:35 PM

I couldn't believe there was so much crap for the stock carbs...

These things are so simple it's a shame they weren't used as OE on more bikes.

Oh...and I had fun time cleaning all the rust debris out of the tank

I'll pull it again later and seal it. I couldn't believe there was so much rust in there....I hope I'm not too late.

MotoSook · 08-22-2008, 06:54 PM

[QUOTE=cstreit;4135363]I wish I had a repair manual for itQUOTE]

Ebay manual CD is your friend

Got a full Cherokee manual for less than a couple of pints worth....printed version is $100!

Get that thing fixed....or hang it from the ceiling of the garage as art.

Jeff Higgins · 08-22-2008, 08:05 PM

Very cool. I'm just starting my relationship with these things. Rode the new bike tonight after tinkering with it a bit today. Boy this Ducati thing is fun...

MotoSook · 08-22-2008, 08:21 PM

Yep...I forgot how fun the V-twin is compared to my inline for bike.

Here's a pic with the fairing installed.

Jeff Higgins · 08-23-2008, 05:15 AM

'Splain the dual headlight set up. I understand these things are notoriously under-lit, but I haven't had mine out at night yet to really see for myself. While I don't see myself doing a lot of night riding on it, it would be nice to have something better than the stock carbide lamp if I ever get caught out.

I'm told the flat slides are the the single biggest improvement to be had on these motors. It really would have been such a simple thing to fit them as stock. Like you say, it kinda makes one wonder why they didn't.

VincentVega · 08-23-2008, 06:14 AM

Badass Souk

x2 on the headlight, looks great

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I don't know if this is right for Ducs, but I put HID's in my BMW and they make a world of difference. They really light up the road signs from far away and put out a ton of light. I run my highs and lows for daytime riding.

MotoSook · 08-23-2008, 06:45 AM

Thanks Chris.

Headlights: I didn't pull the bulbs when I installed them or received them. It just never occured to me. But from what I can tell, they may be H4 bulbs. I believe the kit was made adn mostly sold in Europe. When in low beam, only the right beam is on. In high beam both light up with a high beam filament. They have the little city bults (like the H4 headlights on our 911's) in them too, so they stay lighted. It wasn't dark enough when I tested the bike last night, so I can't tell how bright they are...they should be better than the sealed beam. I suppose I could wire them up to light both low bulbs, but I'll worry about it later....need to find time to put miles on the bile this season.

The main reason I wanted the lights is the round dual design. I never felt the square sealed beam fit the design of the bike. It almost looked like an after thought.

I surfed Ebay for a long time before I found this kit. They come up now and then, they are popular buys on Ebay for about $500.

VincentVega · 08-23-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

he main reason I wanted the lights is the round dual design. I never felt the square sealed beam fit the design of the bike. It almost looked like an after thought.

My thoughts exactly, the SS looks odd with the stock setup.

Dutchie · 08-23-2008, 09:54 PM

Souk can you stop posting Ducati pictures please ? allready have three motorbikes a few pictures more and i need a Ducati

Cheers,

Ed

holtjv · 08-24-2008, 05:05 AM

You should remember to put the NSFW in the title of threads like these.

Goodness.

greglepore · 08-24-2008, 08:16 AM

Souk-if the tank wasn't leaking, you're probably ok. What happens is that the corners nearest your legs are below the pump, so water tends to accumulate there-mine was badly rusted, but I used an epoxy putty in the corners followed by sealant, and it was fine until I sold the bike...

Jeff Higgins · 08-24-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greglepore

Souk-if the tank wasn't leaking, you're probably ok. What happens is that the corners nearest your legs are below the pump, so water tends to accumulate there-mine was badly rusted, but I used an epoxy putty in the corners followed by sealant, and it was fine until I sold the bike...

Previous owner fixed that on my bike by installing a carbon fiber gas tank.

MotoSook · 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holtjv

You should remember to put the NSFW in the title of threads like these.

Goodness.

I know, I'm a stinker ain't I?

From this morning's Cars & Coffee....carbs are just wonderful. A Ducati twin with a slightly rich set of carbs is a wonderful sound off throttle

Greg, I remember you sold your SS....and you replaced it with a newer watercooled Duc? I'll pull the tank this winter and properly seal it.

One question for you guys out there:

My fuel tap knob (under the tank on the line going to the pump doesn't appear to work. I can turn it about 1/2 turn before it starts to fight me. It feels like it may have rust in the valve. So I can't cut off fuel to the carbs.....any suggestions on repair? The Haynes manual I have suggest there is no use repairing the valve, just replace it.