Rebuilding the Dream
 

it's a small world. 2 months ago I was snapping clutch rods and found the culprit to be a bad input shaft carrier bearing. Quotes to fix were in the $600 to $800 range, so I just put the bike away for the winter with the intention of tackling it myself in January or so. Always scanning CL for deals, came across a guy parting a 98 SSFE, a few emails exchanged and it turns out he not only knows my good friend Tim (PO of the bike) but he's the PO before Tim and a total Ducati nut. You wouldn't believe the Monster he's building, but that's another story. Anyway, we strike a deal so good I can't pass it up, and before you know it, he's delivering the motor last Saturday morning and helping Tim and me with the transfer. Really great guy. So now I have a 98 motor in my 93, which interestingly enough, was a lot like putting a 3.2 in a 74. It basically fits, but there's some wiring and other minor changes that need to be addressed, the good news is I now have a 3-phase alternator and regulator.

The swap also revealed 2 things:
1. Front 14 tooth gear was missing 4, FOUR teeth. We replaced with a 15.
2. The reason for the original motor's demise was (almost certainly) a missing clutch guide.

Getting that part and a regulator, and on the first press of the start button, the thing fired to life and runs better than the original motor. By a lot!

have driven around now in 35-45 degree weather and found that I have a very cold chin and cold fingers. Legs a little two.

Any recommendations on heated glove liners, or winter gloves? Can I use my ski gloves? What do I do about my chin? The super-heavy Furygan jacket, even without the liner and just a thermal T and wool shirt underneath was super toasty. Assuming clean roads, I plan on driving it all winter.

A few pics.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1226583106.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1226583131.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1226583236.jpg

Symtec heated grips work and only draw 3 amps. Good down to 30's. A vest is a good idea too.

Good job, Shaun. It will be nice to finally be able to have some fun on the bike, and some peace of mind to go with it.

Thanks Greg, those grip heaters look like a good deal. Jeff, it'll be a little while before I can get some peace of mind with it, but I'm eager for it. The 15 in the front makes the bike a little easier in the city, but will be looking into chains and new fore/aft gearing this spring before hitting the track. That I can't wait for.

All your cold weather needs, cheap: http://www.whitehorsepress.com/index.php?cPath=8_61