Ducati Monster Forum

I just got an 03 620. This is my first Ducati, I have had dirtbikes all my life but never a street bike. I want to do a few things to it and I need some advice.
Initially i want to get new mirrors.  I feel like the stock ones are big and ugly. I want to get some bar end mirrors. I need suggestions as far as which to get, where to get them, and how much I should expect to pay. Also, as far as visibility goes, how do they compare to stock ones?

I need to get some new handlebars as the ones that are on my bike are bent. The person I bought the bike from said the bike was dropped in the garage. Once again, suggestions on where to buy etc. etc.
 
I want to fix up the rear a bit. I don't want to do a tail chop but I would be happy to just take the bottom part of the fender out and get one of those license plate mounting brackets.  I think I can have this made, however, I need exact measurements. If anyone is kind enough to give me the dimensions or take very detailed pictures of their I would greatly appreciate it. 
I believe that is all for now.
Thanks!!!!
Nick

Hi Nick,

I also have a 2003 620. I have CRG lane splitter mirrors, which work better than stock and look alot better. Not sure where to buy or the going price. I'm thinking of get Suburban Machinery bars. They are around $160, i think.

Hey just poke around here.http://www.monsterparts.com (http://www.monsterparts.com)

Thanks, I will look around.

Bit's like this are usually called 'fender eliminators'.  Just smaller (lighter) ways for one to mount your licence plate and ditch that big plastic hunk below the beer tray.  Monster parts sells them in the Accessories section.  But if you're handy at all, one can be made fairly easily.  There was even a template you could print out and trace onto some sheet stock floating around at one point

We've got CRG Lane Split mirrors for $76 each if you haven't found them already. http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/other.html

:)

For mirrors, I like bar ends.  The bar end mirrors generally give you pretty good visibilty.  Not quite as good as the stock ones, but once you get used to them, they're actually pretty good.  CRGs are by far the best, but also expensive.  I've put them on my monsters.  A cheaper but reportedly good alternative is Third Eye mirrors.  You can pick them up at REI really cheap and use them are bar end mirrors.  Folks report they work really well.

Re the tail end, you're looking for a fender eliminator kit.  You have a buncha options.  You can spend $50 or $100 on a fender eliminator kits from monsterparts or a DMF sponsor.  Alternatively, you can go to Home depot and get two strips of aluminum with holes already punched in them.  Once you take off that big ass piece of plastic, all you need is something to hold the licence plate on.  There are four bolts at the base of the beer tray.  You can get a pre-drilled aluminum strip (I think they're alum), attach it to two of those bolts so that it runs parallel to the beer tray.  Then bend it down so that you can attached one side of the license plate to it.  Rinse and repeat for the other side and you're done.  Even if you aren't comfortable working with tools, this is a pretty easy solution.  If the stips are too long, you can just them with a hacksaw or a dremel or sumptin.  It's pretty easy and it'll cost you a coupla bucks at most.

You can find stock Ducati handlebars on eBay or here in teh classifieds.  Alternatively, almost any moto shop nearby will have dirt bars that are the same diameter for relatively cheap.  If you're not going to go with suburban machinery or clip-ons (I like the Tomasellis), then go with OEM or dirt bars.  That's your cheapest solution.

Thank you very much for your input Spidey. Very helpful. I dont mean to be a pain, but could you tell me a bit more about clip ons. What exactly do I have to get? How much are they, and how hard are they to instal? Thanks in advance.

Not to muddy the waters too much, but having had both I much prefer the Napoleon bar end (http://www.motostrano.com/nabarendmi.html) mirrors. Much bigger picture, and in my experience they stay put a little better. Plus, they're only $30 each.

Several people I know have also had good luck with Rizoma (http://www.pjsparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=264&products_id=51) handlebars.

You can pick up a set of knockoff CRG mirrors on ebay.
They are good quality, and work great.
At $45 a pair, you dont have to worry about breaking them.
They are powdercoated billet steel, rather than anodized billet aluminum like the CRG's.
Cheaper, and just as effective IMO.
They are even making the folding 2" model now too.

Ahhhh, the infamous "Dropped in the garage".

Check and make sure the steering stops aren't bent or broken...

Sure.  I know you're familiar with dirtbikes, but I figured if I was gonna go a long post, I'd write for a more general audience. Please excuse any part where I'm stating the obvious.  Hope it helps.

Stock Monster Handlebar Components.  In stock form, your monster comes with a one piece handlebar.  It is attached to the bike above the triple clamp.  The risers (which for a 620 are part of the triple clamp) come up and meet the handlebar.  They "rise" up.  The handlebar is clamped to the risers with the handlebar clamp.  Here's a pic of a newer model monster.  I've drawn a big arrow to the risers.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/3022699038_9e80ce7afd_m.jpg)

Other handlebars.  You can change out your handlebars on your monster for dirt bike bars or other handlebars.  Prices range from $20-$200.  For example, a lot of people like to use suburban machinery bars.   Depending on the angle you install the bars, you can change your body position a lot.  Here's a pic of the Suburban Machinery bars, and two pics of the bars installed and rotated into a fairly aggressive riding position.  I think they're about $150-175.

(http://www.suburban-machinery.com/SV_T1New.JPG) 
(http://a48.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/1/l_90b65c1adfd39c7ac6c1041e529df7e7.jpg)
(http://a134.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/100/l_8f13d0bd1589df9511e38c05535ff465.jpg)


And here's a m5 Works bar from Ca-cycleworks ($50):

(http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/img/m5_detail.JPG)

I find that monsterparts.com has a pretty good selection of different types of bars from the very cheap to the blingy. 


Aftermarket Risers And Clamps.  They make aftermarket risers if you want your bars to be higher.  Here are some Speedymoto risers from ca-cycleworks.

(http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/img/top_cap_riser_kit_speedymoto_monster.jpg)

Or you can just buy a new clamp (or handlebar top cap --whatever they want to call it).

(http://www.monsterparts.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/03-0215_large.jpg)


Clip-ons.  Clip-ons are different than handlebars.  Rather than a one-piece handlebar, clip-ons are two separate handlebars.  They are called clip-ons because they clamp--or clip-on--around your fork tubes.  Why go with clip-ons?  They put your weight farther forward on the bike and give you a more aggressive body position.  This, in turn, will improve front-end feel and the added weight on the front end will improve handling.  Also if you crash, you tend to bend bars.  But with many clip-ons, you can just replace the bent tube as opposed to the entire bar or set of bars.  The downside to clip-ons is that they can put more strain on your wrists and many people find them less comfortable.  Also, you tend to have less leverage on the bars than you do with a handlebar.  That said, I really like clip-ons for aggressive riding.  Prices for clip-ons run from about $100--$500 if you buy a whole system of billet alumium including a brand new triple clamp.  Here are some example of clip-ons:

A couple of shots from motowheels:

(http://www.motowheels.com/italian/images/lg152353703.jpg)
(http://www.motowheels.com/italian/images/lg83842993.jpg)

Speedymoto clip-ons from ca-cycleworks.com

(http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/img/50mm_clip_ons_speedymoto.jpg)

Clip-ons can either be attached below the triple clamp or above the triple clamp.  Below the triple clamp is most common, but it gives you more aggressive riding position. 

Below the triple.  There tend to be less expensive.  Figure $100-$200 for the bars.  Generally, you don't need risers or a new triple.  Here's an example of clip-ons installed below the triple clamp.  This is syd-monster's bike from his featured monster on TOB.

(http://www.ducatimonster.org/featured/2006nov/IMG_0461.jpg)
(http://www.ducatimonster.org/featured/2006nov/IMG_0424.jpg)

Above the triple.  Above-the-triple clamp clip-ons are less common and sometimes require special hardware, which will come with the clip-ons.   If you attach them above the triple clamp, you need something for the clip-ons to clamp onto.  So, you either need to have enough of the fork showing that you can attach normal clip-ons (by pulling the forks up through the triple clamp; cost $100-$200) or you need some kind of attachment system, which comes with some types of clip-ons (more $).  Here's an example from monsterparts.com.  The Rizoma system comes with a a new triple with built-in tubes above the triple clamp.  You attach the clip-ons to the tubes.  Because you're getting a new triple clamp too (easy to install), the entire system is $430.  Or you can just buy the clip-ons themselves for much less.

(http://www.monsterparts.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/PA202_large.jpg)

Here's a similar above-the-triple system (from Cyclecat).  The bike is the FlightCycles ss2r from it's Featured Monster spread on TOB:

(http://www.ducatimonster.org/featured/2008jan/DSCN3158.jpg)

Clip-on Adjustability.  As you can see, clip-ons (particularly below-the-triple clip-ons) can be adjusted.  You can lower or raise them on the fork legs.  And you can rotate them around.  But some clip-ons also come with additional features that allow you to tailor the fit more.  For me, adjustability is critical.  I find that the less adjustable clip-ons just aren't right. They cause me to hurt all over.  I'd rather spend the extra $ on something that fits better.

As one example of adjustability, motowheels sells its clip-ons with or without a built in riser, which means you can potentially get your clip-on height above the bottom of the triple.  Here's a pic of Motowheels clip-ons with a built in riser: 

(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/Motowheelscom/Monster%20parts/billet.jpg)

Other clip-ons allow you to adjust the rise, the forward/backward position of the bars, and the angle of the bars.  I have Tomasellis on my bike, and you can see the different means to adjust them from the pics below.   They're $170 from monsterparts.com.  Apex clip-ons have some adjustability as well, as do other brands. 

(http://www.monsterparts.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/TOMM-BAR_large.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2831406835_0a0e5d5d28.jpg?v=0)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2831407615_eb6b538ca0.jpg?v=0]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2831407615_eb6b538ca0.jpg?v=0)

Separate tubes and clip-ons.  Also, something I mentioned earlier is whether the bars are made of a few pieces or not.  Track riders and racers like clip-ons where the tube is a separate price from the clamp.  That way, if you bend the tube, you only have to replace the tube (generally about $10-15) rather than the whole bar.  For example, as you can see motowheels sells clip-ons separately from the tubes.

(http://www.motowheels.com/italian/images/lg873060586.jpg)
(http://www.motowheels.com/italian/images/lg860429709.jpg)

Clip-on Installation.  Clip-ons take a while to install, but it's not brain surgery.  A lot of it depends on which type of clip-ons you get.  The most difficult part is getting all the cables and wires routed afterward and getting the bars and controls comfortably positioned.  You end up spending a lot of time tweaking it to make sure it's comfy.  As a general rule, installing clip-ons shouldn't require new brake or clutch lines unless you get above-the-triple clip-ons that raise the controls above their stock level.  For most clip-on installations, you have to take off the bars, all the controls (it looks intimidating, but it really easy) and the top triple (again, looks intimidating, but it's two or three bolts and then you hit it with a rubber mallet from underneath.  For under the triple clip-ons, you then just attach the controls, slide the clip-on over the fork leg, and put the top triple back on.  Some clip-ons are designed so that you don't have to take off the triple.  For example, (picture from monsterparts.com), Apex clip-ons ($100) have a two-piece clamp that makes installation easier.  Speedymoto's (pictured above) are similar as are other brands.

(http://www.monsterparts.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/APEX1_large.jpg)

Great write.  Link the FAQ to it!

Excellent write up! [bacon] [drink]

Thanks.  I'm going to try to turn it into a FAQ this weekend if I get the time.  I need to clean it up, add a coupla things for a more general audience and make sure the pics are hosted somewhere permanent rather than linked from independent sites.

I looked around in the FAQ section, but didn't find it.  Has this been turned into an FAQ yet?

Not yet.  I've got about 4 FAQ articles that are half-done.  I'm have to add a section about triples clamps to it and then I'll get it done.  Thanks for the bump to get me motivated.   [thumbsup]  Is there something you want me to add?

heyyyy.. that lil'red pos looks awful familiar

 ;D

Thanks, but I have nothing to add.  Just looking for pics of installed clip-ons to compare.

This may sound silly, but I'm thinking about replacing my Tomaselli clip-ons with something less adjustable.  Trying to get each side right is a PITA!!!  I want to powder coat some parts up front, and I don't want to have to deal with setting up the clip-ons again.

Safety wire, a straightedge and a protractor, my friend.  Use the line between the top of the fork legs as a baseline.  Or ya could just eyeball it.

if you just want to take off the 'lower' part that holds the license plate, it just unbolts.  There are four nuts to loosen, the plate holder part comes off, then you can leave just the fender/water deflector and rig up a plate holder and some bolts.  I did my own in maybe an hour in the garage with basic hand tools (an hour because I didn't like the first one so I made another).



Andy

So I need help installing my Woodcraft 50mm Clip-ons on my '02 620

First question I can't figure out is whether to install above or below the tripple

Here is a picture of what it looks like right now

(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_o7rLJyMBDVo/TGC3kWWcTPI/AAAAAAAAMto/nis_PFBVEZY/s800/2010-08-09%2018.45.13.jpg)

(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_o7rLJyMBDVo/TGC3ZfzCtyI/AAAAAAAAMtk/EDqR8umod5I/s800/2010-08-09%2019.12.47.jpg)

something tells me it ain't quite right and it needs to go below....(ok, you can stop laughing now)

Which leads me to my next question; how do I get the tripple off? I cannot seem to remove this "cap"

(https://lh5.ggpht.com/_o7rLJyMBDVo/TGC3zNccmTI/AAAAAAAAMt0/8agzrvZhNmk/s800/2010-08-09%2018.44.42.jpg)


Also, in the second picture, can you tell me if the clip on is on the right way? or should I flip it like thus

(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_o7rLJyMBDVo/TGC3tDvvF-I/AAAAAAAAMts/j169RlTSuMk/s800/2010-08-09%2018.45.01.jpg)

Not much contact there, I would go below the triple, or lower the front, which will affect handling. 

to start

remove your light, dash, etc. from teh top triple

the cap you pointed out is the fork cap and stays on

the bolts at the front of the top triple (only! not bottom) get loosened
the bolt in the center of the top triple holding that center cap tight gets loosened

then the triple comes up. it will not be easy. you need to separate the gaps at the three caps

once the triple is off
slide the bars on.. like in the second pic
then put the triple back on, torque it back to spec
adjust your bars- sit on the bike in a riding position and get comfortable.
make them even. tighten them down
put everything back together

not meaning this as an insult, cause i've done the same on my rebuild. get a mechanic you trust to oversee the install or check everything before you ride.

You'll need to put the clipons under the triple, or else drop the triple down a bit, which will increase the head angle and affect the steering geometry.

The second photo shows them on the right way - in the first they will hit your tank when you try to turn.

There's a lot of work involved in fitting them - you have to first remove the top triple, by undoing the gauges, removing the sensor bracket (I find removing the headlight makes that easier), then undoing the three bolts that clamp the triple to the forks and steerer tube.  Then it can be pulled off, with some difficulty.

When you put the clipons on, you're likely to find problems with clearance between the stock indicators and the brake/clutch levers.  I ended up moving my indicators down a bit.  Also you'll find that routing the brake and clutch lines is a challenge, as there isn't much space and the lines are now too long.

You'll also either need to drill your clipon bars for the controls, or else file off the locating lugs on the controls.

I also did the CRG's!  Love em!!

I ended up putting clip ons on but if you only want to replace the bar.. I would go with the suburban machinery bars.  Although it IS up to YOU...

Let the modding begin!!!  [drink]

thanks for the feedback all, I finally got around to it tonight and ran into another snag...how the hell do you get the bolt holding the center cap off? mine is wedged firmly behind the ignition/frame and I cannot seem to get to it with an Allen wrench

thanks!
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_o7rLJyMBDVo/TGyExaXVBsI/AAAAAAAAMu0/9mF0AGm4V1E/s800/2010-08-18%2019.46.40.jpg)

Turn the bars to the right.  You may have to lift the tank.

If you are using regular allan wrenches.... Good Luck.

I use an allen socket with an extension.

thanks, do you mean to the Left? I currently have it turned all the way to the left in this picture and it barely gives me a enough room even with the tank lifted. If I turn it all the way to the right then it would be completely obscured by the frame/tank

yes I was (foolishly) trying with allen wrenches, will pick up an allen socket tonight.

When I did my clip ons on my 620, I thought I was in over my head... Just take your time and think it out.  And yes you should be able to get the that allen bolt with even a regular set of keys... seems odd if you are having a problem... When you are done, it will well be worth it the time...  ;D

I turn the bars RIGHT and attack from the LEFT. 

Bars to the left would make it impossible for an allen socket to fit let alone a tq wrench.

thanks again, I was back at it tonight and was finally able to get the bolt off, but still no budge on the triple

is there anything else I need to undo in that center area in the last pic I posted? it looks to me like that center cap might need to be unscrewed or something?

thanks for your patience all

you have to pry open the three slots a bit. and it helps to have someone wiggle the forks to slide it off and on

I have some used Motowheels clip-ons, with removable risers, slightly modified, for sale.  Took them off when I sold the Monster because the new owner (118811) wanted the stock bars back on the bike. PM me if interested.