Ducati Monster Forum

I never know whether to post this stuff in the general forum or mods, so I'll try here this time. Anyway, we finished the rake, went out about 6 degrees. I'm not sure what the total rake is, I'll bring my guage home tomorrow. The trail is still pretty good. The stance is awesome! and the spring mounts came out cool too. we started the seat mount and still need to tie it to the upper frame. Seat pan is supposed to be here this week. Sorry to be a picture whore [laugh]
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/2877109207_71fde5b22d_b.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/2877940892_714520eec1_b.jpg)
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Nice Craftsmanship

Nice work dude!

pretttyyy....but while your there, why dont you swap shocks?

Yeah we're going to down the road. The idea was to do this bike on somewhat of a budget (custom duc on a budget.... yeah right) which is allready shot to hell.  We'll probably swap it out for something with a remote damper. I want some adjustables for the front too. The stock spring actually works better than I thought it would. The bike was initially going to be a hard tail, so anything is a step up from that!

Looks great, but I'm wondering about the angle on the shock.  From the pics it doesn't really look like it's going to pivot very well.    The concept is GREAT btw :)

It actually works pretty well, It's only got a couple inches of travel, so the pivot is ok.......so far. The original design had the shock totally horizantal. I took some advice from Mark at motocreations and put some angle to it (actually more than it looks in the pics) We may end up changing the spring for a better rate later on. I might play with the shock without the spring tonight, to get a better look at the pivot just to be sure. Thanks!

The reason I ask is it looks like a really cool project....to potentially follow and maybe do one of my own.
I can't get the wife to ride on a S4rt or 999 with me, but something like this might work out great.  (plus it's an excuse to buy more stuff and have another bike lol)

Really nice welds!  [thumbsup]

My wife also digs the occasional ride, We're going to make a removeable back seat that slides into the back tubes on the solo seat. I'll put some rubber plugs in em' when it's not on. Here is a link to the rest of the build. http://www.flickr.com/photos/taddoni/sets/72157606922354150/ Thanks

Thanks DEVO I wish they were mine!! I've been coming up with this crazy stuff, I lay it out and Jeff welds it up. He's awesome, he doesn't say no to anything, just "i can make that work" he rocks

Sweet project.  I like the idea of using the original frame and swingarm, it really keeps the Ducati soul.  Who cares if you only get a few inches of rear travel.  Very clean work too.

Scott

the work looks great.

I'm really curious to see how it'll turn out. Get some pics for the seat idea up.

Justin

y'know... I totally had the same idea for a custom...
< crimps foil hat down tigher >

I either needs skills/time or money to make my shit happen before other creative folk do the same ;D

looks good so far! can't wait to see it finished  [beer]

Nice bike!

Oh, and the motorcycle looks like it'll be pretty cool, too.  [thumbsup]

hehe. saw that, too... and was thinking, WTF?  :D

Yeah, I was wondering how long it would take for people to start rippin on that green spotted monster in the backround. That's my next project, it's getting a 1098 engine! na It's Jeffs daughters, I though you guys would bag on me more for the Harley in the backround [laugh]

It looks very cool.  [thumbsup]

Please don't put one of those goofy small tanks on it and ruin it.

Yea the tank is going to be tricky. I was thinking about a stock tank with a little nip and tuck here and there. The S2R tanks are plastic so I would have to use an older one with a different fuel pump set up. If it doesn't look good it will be a wasted tank. Anybody have a beat up tank they want to part with cheaply??  The other option is a cell with the top of a plastic tank as a cover. I don;t think I want to use a peaanut tank.

Finished the back of the frame last night and the seat pan came in. I'll post pics this weekend

why not use the undertank of the 696 or anyother bike and then bang out a custom metal shaped one on top. would allow a large custom airbox that way too.

The problem with the stock fuel tank is that it is too tall vertically -- you want something longer and leaner to visually balance the chassis and to enhance the look of the bike.  When I first started the DesmoDevil series of bikes, I tried to utilize or modify a stock tank -- it never looked good. 

Ultimately for all the bikes I've built, I've handmade the complete fuselage / coachwork / tank from sheetmetal or aluminum.  I also have more welders/welding equipment, body hammers, power hammers, english wheels, slappers, chasers, picks, dollies, shotbags, etc than most people would imagine.  Aluminum is easiest to shape (but not weld) but doesn't hold up well with daily riding or doing the show circuit (ie: people sitting on it) -- thus why I usually use steel which is not fun to make at all but easy to weld -- mainly it's not going anywhere.  Weight difference is @4lbs total from experience between the two materials.  Typically gastank size is 5.7-6.5 gallons. (it annoys the Ducati Monsters / SBKs who have to stop twice for every one tank on my bike.)

For someone on a limited skillset project, there is an alternative definitely worth considering.  Carbonfiber. It's not as expensive as you imagine -- you are using only a moderate amount of material / resin. You can use foam / bondo with a lightweight wooden (structural) core and shape what you desire and get the left / right / top / undersize and symmetry fairly close by sanding / shaping and bondo.  Then make a mold of the master to then pull your tank from.  This is a really EASY way to do it honestly.  Hardest part is getting a super nice part and especially in the corners if a beginner.  But if you are going to paint over it -- then it's simple skimcoat of bondo if needed to hide your mistakes.

One thing to think about is how you will mount the fuel pump to get full utilization of the fuel itself and routing of the fuel lines.  And how you service the pump if required later.  FI bikes are more complex in this regard.  Carbies are easy as you go with an external electric or vacuum fuel pump.

Example of making a CF tank -- it's a LONG read but worth it --> http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=145975

That CF tank thread is awesome!!!! Thanks again Moto for the suggestion. A CF tank may be the ticket, a little labor intensive but it opens a lot of doors

Cant wait to see the final product..

We got a little more work done on the bike. Seat, rear frame, satrted the foot controls. Sorry again for being a pic whore, the feedback motivates me.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2908152327_e450f732fb_b.jpg)
Here's pretty much how it sits right now

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3016/2908152705_088a843a36_b.jpg)
Seat pan still needs a little trimming

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I had this idea that I wanted to have the seat flip up, maybe stash the fuse box or ECM under there

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2908994336_27be2c12df_b.jpg)
voila! we used the stock seat release, a short section of cable, and a choke knob from a Harley carb to release the seat. This is also a good shot of the rear frame. it all came together nice.
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These are the start of the foot control mounts, I'm going to use some dirt bike pegs. They'll end up somewhere between a mid mount and a forward mount.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2908168843_fc5263d24d_b.jpg)
The clip-ons were quite a streach so Jeff welded up some risers for bars. we just set a piece of pipe on there to check the ergos. the real bars will be much shorter and bent back just a hair. I still go back and forth on the bars vs clip-ons

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3185/2908998706_59d93a6811_b.jpg)
Clip-ons or bars???
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2909016448_8165b24aa1_b.jpg)
again a lot depends on the tank

def go w/the drag bars...

the clip-ons, while cool, just look too torturous

Awesome man!

I can see now after a full side shot how the rear shock will work, perfect  [thumbsup]

Definitely drag bars.

And that thing looks AWESOME!  8)

+1 plus you can fine tune the bars for looks

Great job by the way (I actually built a hardtail 305 honda superhawk back in the early 70s)

three notes:

1) please remove the reflectors from the front forks please!

2) Check your cornering clearances before doing final welding of your mid-control pegs.  Compress the front forks / rear shock (simulating ride weight / full compression) and lean the bike over and see what scrapes first.  Remember your shifter linkage required (routing thereof and you have an offset to deal with in your scenario) and the rear brake master -- usually the most tedious part of making rearsets.

3) You can remove the cable/choke to simplify.  Just modify/extend the release tab to act as a lever where the spring / cable attaches instead.  It's open on the bottom and thus easy to reach.  Look at BlackFog detail pictures and a few other Ducati Monsters that I've done the same trick to.

Thanks for checking out the bike. It's looking like bars for sure.  We're going to use the big tube in the pics, we'll reduce it down to fit the controls, but they'll be tight to the big tube, it should match the heavy look of the forks. we bent the bars last night. I'll post the pics soon, I pulled the reflector off one side of the forks, haven't gotten to the other one yet, I agree moto, man those things are ugly [puke]  I'm waiting on the pegs and we'll check the lean angle. I'll keep you all posted! [beer]

I think we'll all take pic whore over frigid pic pregnant dog!  :-* ;D

 [popcorn] good stuff!  more please  [popcorn]

While I don't want to take away from the work you have done, or make it seem like I don't appreciate what you are doing....

... the couple photos of you sitting on the bike, it doesn't look like it would be very comfortable.   Is it?  I give you mad props for doing a unique project, etc.

how hot is that vertical cylinder going to get sitting right at your balls like that? like frying  [bacon] hot? or are you going to shield it a bit?

With the drag bars it's pretty comfy. The clip-ons were not at all comfy. I've ridden sport bike most of my life, so this will probably be the most comfortable bike I have ever owned. I'm allways willing to compromise a little comfort for something different anyway. [thumbsup]  If I wanted comfortable I guess I would have a Golwing or something.

I'm guessing it'll be warm sitting in traffic, down the road should be ok. The exhaust running under the seat won't help things either, that section of pipe will get wrapped for sure. We might shield the head a little with a deflector or something. We'll see what ends up happening with the tank. The head may end up covered or partially covered by it. Awesome use of the  [bacon] emoticon!!

don't forget about what happened when billy lane made his underseat exhaust for biker buildoff...

the seat caught fire on the road  [laugh]

I'll field this one:  the Coup D'etat was fine at speed, do-able at a stop light too providing the ambient temp was lower than 95'F.  I do remember getting off the bike at long lights in 100+' heat.  Lots of funny looks!

Awesome! Thanks Stew. Thats what I'm talking about. A little sacrifice for a cool looking bike. Who wouldn't want to streach their legs at a stop light anyway? [clap]

i know.. heat shielded underwear... well unless you ride commando... we need an emote for fried eggs to go with the bacon.

seriously though. are you extending the tank down to the seat.. you could double insulate the back of the tank.

100'+F days in SoCal with hot asphalt, hot exhaust from cars, the sun beating down on my black leather jacket, and some SoCal lights aren't short either...  So, I just stood next to the bike as it chugged away at idle waiting for the gawddamn light to change.  After like the fifth time it happened, I just quit looking around to see the reactions.

F' em.  [evil]

But, as soon as the light was green and I got like 100 feet down the road, it was fine again.  [thumbsup]

MORE PICTURES!

Sweet.. I looks F'ing amazing... I esp like how low your seat is.

....getting weary....

must....

have...

update!

How about clip-ons with a slight rise, like the LSL ones?

(http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/catalog/offsetmatchlsl.jpg)

Perhaps a nice compromise...

Nice work, good luck!

NICE!!!   [clap]

STOP IT -- you're making me want one! ;D

I really dig the actually-retro looks of Stu's and now yours.
(am afraid to go look at mark / motocreation's site)

 [moto]

Not sure what you are planning on, but I'd save the complication of trying to make a shifter work w/rear set, and just go suicide shit  [thumbsup]

A thumb rear brake on the left side would be easy/clean as well :)

Sorry so long with no update. Been busy with crap around the house.  [bang] I'm starting to get stuck on stuff. I found some killer looking dirtbike pegs that I really want to try to make work but it's going to be quite a bit of work. I also looked at just using a set of black forward controls for a Harley or something. What did you use on yours Stu?
I love the idea of the clip-ons with the rise to them, those are nice! I may end up with something like that. I'm running with the bars right now, that may change as it all comes together.
I'm also stumped on hand controls, I'm going to put on some stock goldlines for now, which should work great, I just hate the pee cup reservoirs. The suicide shifter may become an option!
I'll post some new pics tonight when I get home.

Well, I got a pair of old Suzuki passenger pegs and modded them to run on my custom bracketry because they folded up nicely.  A necessity on THAT low of a bike!  I used to drag the shit out of them. 

Gadammit I miss that make the beast with two backsin' bike.

That's why there's another in the......wait.....  nah, I'll post up later with more info.  ;)

We've already seen the front brake rotor. I can almost say we've seen the wheel, but it was mostly hiding behind the rotor.

Ya tease.  :-*

you could run the 999 masters...

I actually though about those, my buddy has a 749, and that gave me the idea. I'm having a hard time finding a full set though.

Rizoma makes some billet reservoirs for the gold lines. Yes, you've still got a cup hanging out on the bars, but at least its shiny.

Just build the reservoir into the bar.  Machine some threads on the end of a piece of pipe, fishmouth the pipe to fit the bar, weld to the bar.

Drill hole, tap hole, install nipple for fluid feed.  Machine threads in cap, knurl radius of cap, done.

Simple/Clean.

^^^  WOW ^^^    [clap]

i like that!  Any pics of this done?

it sounds so easy... [popcorn]

Anxious to see what you can do with the tank.

check out motowheels.... they pop up from time to time on their used parts page

None that I've got on my puter.  I lived in daytona for almost 8 years, and every year at bike week/biketoberfest I've seen some of the wildest custom things done.  You guys should look into the custom chopper thing if you want ideas....those guys have crazy ideas :D

Since there aren't any "new" pics lately [roll]

Thought you might want to comment on this:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycles___2003-Moto-Guzzi-V11-Sport-UNBELIEVABLE-CUSTOM_W0QQitemZ200260577861QQddnZMotorcyclesQQddiZ2283QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200260577861&_trkparms=72%3A727|39%3A1|65%3A12|240%3A1309&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motorcycles___2003-Moto-Guzzi-V11-Sport-UNBELIEVABLE-CUSTOM_W0QQitemZ200260577861QQddnZMotorcyclesQQddiZ2283QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200260577861&_trkparms=72%3A727|39%3A1|65%3A12|240%3A1309&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245)

That seat looks like a codpiece.

...that seat will ensure you don't have kids in the future.  Kind of like this, but with the other head... [bang]

I have seen this bike in person and it is pretty damn cool. And what's wrong with cod pieces anyway? ;)

Nothing. They have their place. Someplace you're supposed to sit IS NOT AN OKAY PLACE.

holy crap, that bike is HOT!  ;D

Wow ! I like that Guzzi....... a lot. the tank looks a little big, but I'm sure it flows in person. My brother who is more of a car guy, recently visited our local Guzzi dealer and had a brainstorm for something like that, maybe if mine ever gets done.

Sorry no pics still.  I'm in the hurry up and wait stage I guess. I'm waiting on my masters to come in to finish the bars, We'll probably finish the foot controls this weekend.....I hope. Here's a pic to hold you over, think about the tank, photoshop a stock one on there if you can, we're thinking about a small one to expose the head, or a full size one with a notch to expose the cam belt drive, I'm also entertaining a custom tank. I've been eyeballing an english wheel at a local shop.  we'll see. Thanks again for the feedback, it helps a lot, you guys rock!
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2908169891_e7982097fd_b.jpg)

you could spend some of that down time poppin' off the damn reflectors  ;D

I deserve that..............

haha.   I just ripped mine off.  Used my thumb to get rid of the sticky goo.   Cheap foam tape.

Looking good.  When do you think you'll "finish"

 [beer]

It's been a while since we got anything done on the bike, been busy with crap around the house, and another 998 project (for sale) I'm still waiting on some parts, but we got a little work done on the foot controls. We brought them back a couple inches. I found some cool dirtbike pegs that I liked, and another set to chop up for the brake pedal and shifter. I guess they are mid controls now, heres some pics

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/3001145819_1c56ae74f1_b.jpg)
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Man that thing is gonna be SWEEEEET [thumbsup]

Thanks, it's getting there, even though things have slowed a bit [coffee]

what's that thing on the fork?

the one that looks riiiiight where the reflector would be

you mean the reflector housing thing?  I like it  ;D

I think it's just leftover sticky foam.

yessss it's reflector foam, I'm working on it, I'm working on it. At least I started to pull em off.........tuff crowd! [laugh]

yes, at least you're working on it.

no infractionation points today  [laugh]

It's been a while and I wish I had more work to report, but here's what we've been working on. The bars are almost done and the foot controls are almost done. Supposed to finish the shifter side over the holiday.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/3001982208_82f550a17c_b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/3001145819_1c56ae74f1_b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/3001986142_e44297315c_b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3005/3075883093_02210c2981_b.jpg)

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You are doing a great job on that bike.

Keep up the good work

That is some nice fab work

sick. i love it.
sssa bobber. gonna be one of a kind for sure!

Any updates? 


Thanks for the updates.  Interesting cycle so far.  Keep up the good work. 

Well.......yes and no. Its funny you asked. It sat forver with nothing done to it so I scooped it and it's parts up and brought it home, worked on a few little things and now it's at my friend Bobby's shop, he's building a one off tank for me after bailing on modifying a stock one. The first mock up was close and needed a little tweaking to round it out a little. I'll post some pics tonight when I get home. Thanks for asking, it motivates me!

Here are some pics of the first go at the custom tank, the stock guages are going to be frenched in, were gonna take some of the "squareness" out of it too. I should have some more pics soon.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3512130680_e2a9135717_b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3512130202_5c2b0dc6b8_b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3511317841_93b805b392_b.jpg)

disgusting in the best way possible  [evil]

i am especially impressed with how you kept one of the monster
trademark shapes; the buffalo hump gas tank, and expanded on it and
made it reminiscent of the original but still clearly 1-off

cheers to you
r

Nice work, and it looks like you'll be able to ride for more than 15 minutes  [thumbsup]

I really like the overall tank shape but some rounding would definitely make it look way better.  And I see you finally removed the fork reflectors ;)  Keep up the good work, it's really coming along nicely.

Scott

I'm glad I only just found this thread - I was able to see all the pics in one sitting.  ;D

Bravo on the work to date - this bike is gonna be a show stopper, no doubt about that.  [clap]

finish it already, would ya?

we're an impatient lot!  ;D

Wow! I can't wait to see the result. Wonderfull!!!  [popcorn]

Celli

Very impressive fabrication work, but, fer me the tank looks a little overpowering.  It kinda commands your eye...just my opinion...

The vertical cylinder pointing at the riders junk looks kinda cool.

Do you have a fuel capacity goal?

Yeah I dig the way that cylinder looks too, I talked with stew (he left his exposed) It's definately a package cooker [bacon] he siad it was definately worth the look! It's hard to see in the pics but the underside of the back of the new tank has a little rise in it, so the cylinder and the pulley on the other side are still visible. It would be nice to keep 3 or so gallons in the tank. I'll have some pics of the new mods to the tank soon, it should look a little smoother

Any thoughts of a peanut tank?  I forget who did it but there was a Monster chopper/bobber done some time back and it had a small peanut tank nestled down in between the frame rails.  Looked nice and kind gave it an old school flair.  I think the tank you have could be cool too, but as mentioned above, it's kinda overpowering.  I think if you rounded it a bit that overpowering feel might soften a bit while keeping the cool Brahma bull look Monsters have. 

I know, big talk from a guy not doing any of the work..  I think you did ask for opinions ;)  Keep it up, it's really coming together nicely.

Scott

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I really appreciate it, you have no idea how much it helps!  So this is the second go at the tank, I think we just about got it. We grafted the top off a stock tank (big filler hole will not stay) rounded out the top and sides and added some cool knee dents. Top edges will get rounded out a little more. The guages will get flush monted right on top. Bobby even figured out a way to mount the stock fuel pump. We took about an inch and a half off the overall height. I havn't decided on a filler yet. maybe one of those little pop up guys, or maybe an abnoxious spinner.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2482/3547223137_d9a9411b09_b.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/3547227517_e4046f1481_b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3586/3548045426_a1db0ebbd9_b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3547234613_8d66f20ce4_b.jpg)

That looks way better!  Nice top curve and the way it slants back really fits with and helps define the lines of the bike.  With the single sided swingarm, aluminum engine, and upside down forks I think a spinner might look gawdy and out of place.  A pop-up would look really clean like the rest of the bike.  Wow, it's really looking good.

Scott

that thing is gonna be sick  [thumbsup]

 [popcorn]

Can`t wait for the finished product [bang]

Thanks, Yeah I'm leaning towards the pop up filler. They're cheaper too [thumbsup]

Tank looks good...as someone mentioned in a previous post, the lines flow much better now.  Hurry up!   ;D

+1

Looks great, and all done without access to a 5-axis water jet

wow man this thing is looking awesome!! cant wait to see the finished bike. Like the second tank much better by the way.  [bacon] [popcorn]

Tank looks good without the bars

Bars look good without the tank

Tank and bars do not look good (IMHO).  I think perhaps the bars were made in haste before the tank was fabbed....  I'd keep the tank and re-do the bars with a bit more height and perhaps not so much rake back from the fork.

Overall it's killer man :) [thumbsup]  Makes me wish I had kept that s4r frame....

That's definitely some good work. I'm liking it. I kind of agree on the comment about the bars and the tank. It looks like the bars are too low for the tank, or the tank is too high for the bars.

Are you dead set in the bar position, slightly more rise might do the trick without too much complication.

Justin

As i stood there and looked at it, and sat on it, I didn't think much about the bars; but the more I look at the pics, I'm starting to agree that something has to change on the bars. Maybe I'm just soft brained.  I though about going back to the clip ons idea, but they would definately need a decent size riser. I guess we'll see as the tank gets closer....

+1 on clip ons! Best to you man! I lorv this project of yours.

The tank is almost done now. the trim plate holds the guages in. The funky primer was just to help find any leaks. I think everything will end up black. I have some new ideas for the bars, we'll see how it all goes. Fire away........


(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3316/3637842380_650e4c1b32_b.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3637029287_80ef376cdd_b.jpg)

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(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/3637032581_893eccb73b_b.jpg)

Dude...

So Good! I even like that colour, kinda old fashioned in a good way.

Very cool.  [clap]  I can't wait to see this completed.

Looks great, how are you going to run the wires to the gauges? Will they come up from the bottom of the tank through a sleeve?

Things are looking good - I really like how the gauges are integrated into the tank - innovative idea for sure.  [thumbsup]

I'm sure that fabrication on the tank wasn't easy, but IMHO, I think that the tank still needs some shaping work. If you look at the image above, you can see that the tank bulges out at the bottom near the forks and doesn't follow the line of the bike very closely. The same goes for where the tank trims down near the seat pan, in looks as though it tapers in more narrow than the frame (ie the frame bulges out wider than the tank). I'm sure that's a tough one though since the frame must be shaped like that.

I also notice that the steel plate that will hold the gauges on doesn't match the contour of the tank - is that just a mock up?

In anycase, good work - I hope that my observations are taken constructivly rather than negatively critical.  [thumbsup]

Agree with above.  Looks like a tank with a bike attached at this point.  Please don't take it personally, as I'm fully aware of the amount of fab work that it takes to come up with a tank.

I think that if you want the low bar/drag bar/clip on style, you need a tank that isn't nearly as deep.  Conversly, you should be able to get away with a much larger/taller tank if using taller more upright bars.

gauges=neat

but with how that tank sits, the drag bars are starting to look funny (damn shame, as I love drag bars)

bars w/swoopy risers might look better w/that tank

The tank doesn't 'fit' the bars (but you know that already). 

Nicely done thus far, but the large-ish shape of the tank necessitates some form of rear fender that carries the color to the back 1/2 of the bike (IMO).

If you *must* use the stock gauges, then you have come up with a nice solution.  If it were me, I would've put 41mm Keihin flat-slides on it and an ignitech box with a more minimalist tank.  But, you know that as we've discussed that avenue at length already.

Great work so far, and keep it up.  You (and the bike) will only get better the more you monkey with it!  [thumbsup]

Yeah, we welded a tube that goes through the tank out the bottom for the wires. I'll connect everything with a cannon plug for easy tank removal.

The pics make the size of the tank a little decieving. The bike is sooo low. if I make the tank to small it looks like a toy! We took a good three inches of it out compared to the last tank. The trim plate on the guages is not done yet (contour and what not) we may still change the shape of it too. Not sure if I like the spade shape. I'm ok with the tail of the tank not matching the width of the frame. We did some mock up and it looked really weird when we tried to follow it. I'm cool with a kind of open look.

Now that the tank is nearing completion, I've actually decided to change the rear sub frame quite a bit. There is another guy in town who allready copied my rear suspension :-[ so I gotta keep em all guessing now [laugh] Stew we're definately running a rear fender of some stubby sort and the color will match. I'm thinking everything will be black [evil] all criticism is allways considered constructive. Thanks to all and keep it coming. Thanks guys............

What a great project!
ill go back to my original suggestion of clip ons. The leading edge is so critical to my eye that for me it is spoilt with risers & bars. The guages would look better countersunk. anyway 2c

Keep it up mate!  [thumbsup] [bow_down]

Over a month now...and no update.   ;D

I think you should go with a different color than black.  Seems everybody is doing black these days.  Just not very creative/imaginative. 

Update?  Pics?  Please.   ;D

Sorry I've been so absent from the board lately. Lifes had us kinda slammed, put a nice 999 together, house, work, website all that crap, slowly gettin caught up. Started back up on the bike a little. Got a hold of a set of keystone bars from Biltwell. Not the bars I imagined, but they bring the tank back into proportion and give a cool bobber old school chop look, and shoot a decent line down the tank, I may take a look at some clip ons one more time too. The bars still have the sock on em so I don't scratch them, sorry heres some pics.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3888188389_f1896e7346_b.jpg)

No Risers...
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2433/3888188131_a45fb7630a_b.jpg)

With risers
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(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3420/3888982276_5ec356fabb_b.jpg)

Like the direction it's taking. Can't wait to see the finished product.  [bacon]

wow this thing pains me not to have it

enjoy all the good work youve done bc that thing is fcking awesome

Those aren't the bars I pictured either but they really do look good.  It kinda takes it from long and low more towards old school chopper and yeah, it really works well with the lines of the tank.  Maybe some matte paint to bring it all together?  I almost want to see some spoked wheels on it.  I dunno, maybe that would spoil the current balance of Italian tech and old school.

Nice job, the looks is really getting cohesive now.

BTW, thanks for taking all our feedback so well.  It's not easy to get so much input/criticism about your art and not take it the wrong way.  You're doing a really nice job of taking it all in and incorporating what you can.  Not only are you building a nice little chopper, you're taking all of us armchair builders with you for the ride.  Thanks :)

Scott

lets see the 999 too!

I like the bars!  no rise, though.

unless it hits the tank, but I think it looks better sans-risers

Thank you guys for the feedback! I tend to not get my feeling hurt. I take the good stuff and blow off the opinionated crap, my brother and I have had hours worth of arguments over this bike, and it all benefitted the bike one way or another. This bike would not have made it to this point without the board!

We also made some frame changes. We took out the big brace under the seat and put in a much smaller one to match the existing trellis, plenty strong and gives the seat that "floating" look, also moved the top frame rails around to put the steering we lost in the rake, back in. Stop to stop now! slugged rose budded and double seamed.......should hold

Brix, theres a pic of the 999 at the bottom, and more on our site we're planning to sponsor shortly http://www.taddonimoto.com/ (http://www.taddonimoto.com/) ;D

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/3888191151_dda8803341_b.jpg)

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Started to mock up the exhaust,I like the way it's coming together. working on the bars, almost ready to wire. Trying to figure controls still, the pee cups look like crud. Still thinking on the headlight. Plenty of lean angle still (nothing touching in the pic) I guess the project is taking too long when the frame starts to get surface rust [roll]

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2535/4004010436_c5a88b1ac8_b.jpg)

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couple of things. love the rear suspension. that would work on a 696/1100
the bike is coming along great.

 but i wonder how it will hold up because your shock isn't pushing into the mount point on the swingarm it's acting against the shear angle.

two the lean angle you are checking is without a load. with you and accelleration you might have issues.

The suspension is very stiff, and only has a couple inches of travel. The bike was originally going to be a hardtail, so what's there is a plus. The rear suspension works awesome, most people tried to tell me it wouldn't even hold the bike up, I'm not an engineer but it moves smoothewith the arc, has plenty adjustment, and feels stout. Even if I lost a ton of lean angle from the pic, it's still way more than I'll ever use on this type of bike. I might hit some mountain roads definately not Laguna Seca, no knee draggin, thats what my next project will be for. Can you post a diagram or drawing of shear angle?

don't have a program to draw it at home. but basically imagine the force on the shock going into the swingarm. does it go into the mount (where it meets the swingarm not the bolt) or does it go across the mount .

in essence you are applying the force of the shock 90 degrees almost across the mount. it may try to rip the mount off.

imo if you move the mount forward on the same line and lower almost in front of the suspension tube it would be better.

Mark at motocreations really would be the one to give you good feedback. i'm just talking from my physics studies not real world application.

I'm liking the bars!  They add that height needed to pull that tank off.  I see the tank now has some filler on it and is 'shaped' a bit more.  Very nice!!!

The exhaust?  If it were me (and it's not...), I'd stack the two pipes and try to bring them in-line with the CL of the entire bike.  Other than that....it's all finishing bits and some paint, eh?!?

Kickin' ass man!  [evil]  Keep up the good work!!!  [thumbsup]

Stu

am i totally off on the swingarm shock-mount point?

I like that idea too.  I also thought that this setup kinda spews exhaust from the inner pipe onto the rear wheel riequiring more frequent cleaning.

Yeah, pee cups look terrible.  I'm sure you'll find an alternative.  Have you considered standard coffin style levers?  Not nearly as cool looking but way more low profile.

Scott

No.  The forces applied are horizontal and his mount is vertical so there is a shear force applied to the mount itself.  If the mount on the swingarm were positioned forward so that it would be against one of the uprights on the arm, that would lessen the shear force applied quite a bit.  This would likely require moving the frame mount further up the frame possibly tying in with his new seat tubing (which I *really* like BTW) which would be stronger than it currently is.  Lastly, this would position the shock so that the front mount point was higher than the rear which would ensure that no air-bubbles get processed because the shock oil doesn't flow where it needs to when the rear eyelet is higher (or equal to) the front mount eyelet.

It took me a second to really look at the pics and access my engineering school days in my head...  [thumbsup]

Might be a good application for coffin reservoirs.

Your painter will take care of the rust. ;D

We put some rattle can paint on the bike to keep it from rusting and to give us a better idea of how it might look. All we have left is the rear fender and then it's time to start hacking up the harness, and try to find some place to hide all the wiring.  I'm hoping to have it running in a month or so.

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Well, I can say it looks interesting. Not sure if I like it, but I don't dislike it...

It's awesome dude [thumbsup]

Looking good so far.

Looks great.  Funny, the tank looks like the most original part on the bike, it's the only body line that looks familiar :)  Nice job.

Scott

Looks awesome man!  Can't wait to see the end result.

Thanks guys  ;D it's nice to get a little motivation. Yeah Scott thanks for noticing the tank. I wanted a custom tank but still wanted it to have that buffalo hump monster style tank look. Everybody says it's too big. I dig it. The bars brought it back into proportion a little.

Yeah, you nailed it on the profile, still looks like a Monster tank ;)  I think it looks a little big, and it is, but that's partly because it's almost the only visual element to the bike right now.  Once you get paint onto the bike and wheels, run lines, seat upholstery, fenders, etc. it will probably still look big but the proportions will be better and the overall lines will flow more.

Scott

awesome work.  I do agre that coffins would look better.

+1 to coffin masters.  When the rear fender gets built, it'll balance out the bike a bit more, but I gotta say:

LOOKIN' make the beast with two backsIN' AWESOME man!

or the 999 cyls, as it will maintain a clean profile  [thumbsup]

+11ty [thumbsup]

Wow...that is very nice.  [thumbsup]

Not a whole lot more. wrapped the pipes, finished the seat, mounted the headlight.  I almost ground off the stock headlight mounting tabs on the top triple just clean it up a little, glad I didn't. they were the perfect spot to mount the new headlight bracket, countersunk the screws and all. It came out pretty good, you can barely see it. The headlight won't stay chrome. It will either get the scotch brite treatment, or be black, we'll see. Merry Christmas everybody!! [moto]

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/4210501717_d151fc3f18_b.jpg)

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this looks awesome. i love how you left the sticker on the frame... inside joke?

 [thumbsup]

Exactly ;D I also just finally finished pulling off the fork reflector everybody gave me crap for. The bike still needs to be painted. we gave it a rattle can job to get rid of the surface rust. I wanna ride it for a couple weeks to work out the bugs and then we'll tear down for final paint.

 [thumbsup] [moto] [beer] [wine] [clap] [bow_down] [bacon]

I like it!

Looks great.  Maybe leave the headlight chrome.  Every cruiser needs a little chrome.

Also, any chance of cutting off one fork bracket and going to single front disc?  (Like you don't have enough hydraulic problems to sort through already.)  Just think too may make the front look heavier than it should.

And I really like the minimal seat.  Is there just a wee bit of padding under the leather?

Scott

Thanks! Yeah the chome headlight is growing on me the more it hangs around, we'll see how it looks when everything else is painted and stuff. I plan on running both rotors up front. I want to ride it pretty hard, and I'm a safety nut ( I know it looks like a death trap) so unless it looks hideous they'll both go on. No padding under the seat, just the leather. It's actually not too bad. My taller friends say it feels like a torture device ;D

very cool bike, but wouldn't you prefer a more comfortable seat?

The seats actually not that bad, it's got a pretty supportive shape, the rear shock will help too. I don't plan on any touring on this one. The idea behind the bike was to keep everything as minimalist as possible. Huge holiday meals have treated me great, the padding is all on me!

are you planning on keeping the wheels? A set of wire spokes might complete the look. Or paint them black.

Yeah I got a deal on the white wheels, 400 for the pair!! They'll be black when all is said and done. although a few people have comented that they like the white [roll]

looks sweet!  wow, i cant believe i missed this thread.  Love it!!  [thumbsup]

OR......

Strip the coating, have the polished and then have your P'coater do just the hoops in red.  They make white-walls in 17" BTW...

Or, if that's not your flavor for wheel colors, then please do something besides just black.  Black wheels are like bellybuttons these days.

I will +1 all the leg-humping once again

 [beer]

oh, and:


thank you

Pink is fastest for wheels.

Man this thing has been slow going, haven't had a whole lot of time lately. We got the fender finished, pretty happy with it. it's just in primer in the pics. I ditched the pee cup reservoirs, and got some 695 controls, ground the lettering off the caps. For the plate and tail lite I found a cool plate bracket with a 32 ford tail light, we'll probably mount it as far back as I can without the bracket looking weird. the fender will look better when it's painted, but you get the idea.

cheers  [drink]

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Nice fender, tag bracket and tail light.  [thumbsup]

Looking good!   [thumbsup]  I really like where this is going except maybe the bars.  I'm guessing you had to go that high because of the size of the tank.

Peel the frame stickers off the Hyper.

And get rid of that extended shield.

I'm not a chopper guy at all, but I really like what you've created. I love the minimalist design and I think you've done a fantastic job of retaining the soul of "the monster".

looking forward to the final pictures when it's done.

Yeah the bars help keep the tank in proportion/give it a bobber look, other reason is ergos, I may try something between the keystones and drag bars in the future. That Hyper in the earlier pictures was a buddies, I just thought it was a cool height comparison shot. Thanks guys  [thumbsup]

Where did you get that tail light?

I was going to make my own light/bracket but I found this one on e-bay. very nice piece, heavy guage steel. nice light too. The seller was igvita. the ebay store is dream weaver custom. by the time I would have bought a 32 light and built the bracket, I wouldn't have saved much over just buying this one.

I love that light.

That thing looks sick.

 [thumbsup]

Try to hide the plate a 'bit' inside the wheel, that'll minimize the size of that bracket and plate holder w/o looking odd.  It just looks HUGE sitting next to the bike is all.  Maybe 1/2" or so...

Oh, and BTW...  GREAT job on that fender.  I'm seeing some flat-blackness and some wick-ed pinstriping...  You?

Yeah I'm going to keep the plate as close to the wheel as I can without hitting chain, sprocket, wheel, fender, etc.... Thats funny you say that about the paint, thats exactly what we were talking about. some combo of gloss and flat black and some kool pinstripes. thanks for the challenge on the wheels too BTW. I was just going to do them black :'( but I agree with you....it's been done. so we'll see what happens. I still gotta make it run!

this is one cool project that has come a long way! [thumbsup]

Keep it up!

Cool updates. 

Looking at the inside exhaust and that it blows the exhaust onto the rear wheel and tire...any potential problems with heat on either?  Problems with paint or whatever you use on the wheels?  I can see the rear wheel getting exhaust residue on it. 

Nah, that's just an oldskool tire warmer.






 ;D

C'mon Pasta-Bobber...  Spill the latest news!!!!


Hehehe....  ;D

Wow, it's been way to long since I filled everyone in on this thing (thanks for the nudge Stew) It's getting pretty close, I was a little overwhelmed with wiring, but thanks to help from recent transplant Duc Stew, It's back on track! If you're not familiart with Stew he's a badass builder and monster challenge winner. whe I say "help" it's more like taken to wiring school! It's been a blast working with him, and we bounce ideas back and forth till stuff is perfect! Like I said it's been a while so I'll try to keep it more pic heavy and less blabber heavy.

I finally bought a lift, money well spent.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4747442421_6bb1159599_b.jpg)

Got the plate and tailight mounted to the swingarm.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4747437787_68a6f97124_b.jpg)

Rear brake line runs inside the swingarm

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We built a box under the tank that was originally going to hold the battery. Change of plans, that box now hold the computer, ignition coils, intake air temp sensor, and the fuse box, and it all fits! Crappy pic.....

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4748105158_39f13399c5_b.jpg)

So now the battery resides in a new box, mounted under the swingarm along with the starter solenoid. The bolt that used to hold the rear shock was modified to hold the battery box where the utter used to sit. Two hitch pins hold the bottom half of the box onto the top. simply pull the pins to access or service the battery, solenoid or charging fuse.

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So thats where it's at right now. Hopefully running in a couple weeks or so!

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Looks good.  Nice work.   [thumbsup]  Just ditch that damn frame sticker.  Stick it under the seat if you want to keep it on the bike.

Looks freaking great. Love the HD/sportster/nightster feeling. But this one def better suspension than the HD.

Great works.

 

Really nice.  I love how it simultaneously looks like a Monster and a custom old school chopper.  I think you've really struck a great balance.  Though I have to admit, I half expected to see oil lines coming out of the battery box :P

Scott

I actually contemplated running the wires to the battery box in steel braid to match the cooler lines and also to look like oil lines. That seemed a little faux to me, so I'm just going to use some old school cloth braid wire loom........I think

he he he , i love frame stickers! heck it took me a year to take the reflectors off the forks. serious though it will come off when it gets stripped for paint.

LOL.  Don't be skeered.  I'm pretty sure removal of reflectors and frame stickers were my first mods.

Wow, it's been waaaay to long since I posted any updates on the bobber!!  To make it short and sweet it's running! I actually rode it to work a few days last week. It's not painted yet. I want to ride it for a little while and work out any bugs, then we'll tear down one more time for the paint and powder coat. Here's a couple vids. These are literally the first time I ever rode it. huuuge thanks to Duc Stew for all his wiring help. I'll post more pics and a walk around vid this week.

Ducati chopper 3 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNNwvS6arrY#normal)
Ducati chopper 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTnn4TnxD18#normal)
Ducati Chopper 5 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVWHrkMGnUk#normal)

Cool  [thumbsup]

Looks good, sounds great  [clap]

man, you are a very talented individual.  much respect for putting that together and what a killer bike to own, one that you created . .. no other like it.  well done.

Sounds mean as!

Dude....I think I saw you putting this thing around ABQ Uptown two weekends ago!  I remember telling the wife, "That sounds like a Ducati, but it doesn't look right from behind."  I guess I was right, huh?  About all I could see was the white wheel and the rider.

Cloner
ABQ, NM

When I first saw your earlier posts, I have to say I wasn't a fan of the concept, but appreciated what you were trying to do.

after the videos, I've changed my mind and really think it looks great......not to mention the fantastic sound...........nice work.

Man, I had forgotten about this bike. Great work. Looking forward to more pics.

Thanks so much for all the feedback guys! I really appreciate it.This forum contributed a lot to this bike [thumbsup] Not sure I would have attempted it without the expertise floating around here. The thing definitely sounds fierce, I made a kid cry already. We'll see how tolerable the open pipes are in the long run. It's more comfortable than I thought it was going to be, and even more fun, just puts a sh*t eating grin on your face ;D

Yeah cloner that was me at uptown, I wanted to check out some speed bumps, not many over there oddly enough. Hopefully I'll see you all on a ride soon

As soon as I get my flickr account straightened out I'll post more pics. 

The bike is a LOT of fun to ride!  I don't know what it weighs, but even with stock gearing, it's really quick!  Almost a shame it has to come apart for paint and such...

Congrats M on a really nice custom special! [thumbsup]

Wicked!!

hmm... this has come such long way! COol project & great bike. Dedication++!