Ducati Monster Forum

QUESTION:
I have hated the stock yellow rear spring on my S2R1K since before I rode the bike for the first time.
In my quest of blacking out the entire bike, that bright yellow coil is really not helping.
My question is, whats the best/on the cheap way to get the thing black ?

I know their are aftermarket coil's, but I am really fine with what I have (spring rate and all).
I just want the thing black. I have heard of people painting/powdercoating them but I would just rather swap it out with a black one and call it a day...

Anyone ?

you know you have to post a pic of your bike when you are done. i've been following your posts closely. I bet it's gonna be one bad ass duc.

I'm not aware of any aftermarket spring that comes in black.

You would also have the additional problem of determining the exact rate of your spring as it has no identification.

put a black sock over it [coffee]

I have heard that powdercoating it black is the only reasonable way to get it that way.  I have the same bike you do (08 though), and I am planning on getting it done when I get home.  I will keep you up to date when it is finished.  Sadly my bike is starting to look like yours now ><

There are motocross shock covers (or socks as indicated above) that come in black.  Cheap and easy to fit too.  That would be the fastest way to do it.

I've powdercoated many a rear shock spring different colors and have yet to have an issue with that type of coating on the spring.

All the bikes on my website have had the shock spring powdercoated in case you're looking for pictures...

Lastly, you could find another shock (from a bike like yours) and buy it for cheap $.  Take that shock apart and coat the spring the color you want all the while riding your bike...  Swap the shock and then sell yours!  Easy, cheap and no down time...  Just a thought.

powdercoat it.

its another one of the things i want to PC when i get around to building hte hotbox for my home powdercoat setup...so many ideas...how many can i actually do?

So it looks like I will be having it sandblasted and powdercoated.
At that point I might as well rip the swingarm off the bike and have that coated to match as well.
And at that point I might as well rip the rest of the bike apart and powdercoat other bits.
See where this is going ? [thumbsup]

<in best doctors voice to your SO>

i'm sorry ma'am, he has a terminal case of mod-itis [evil]

Here's how the bike looked right before I put it away for it's long winter nap-->
Spring plans call for it to be slammed to the ground, new clutch springs and plate, 46Tsprocket, finally ditch the stock carbon canister on clutch side of bike, ditch the C.fiber side covers, powdercoat the swingarm (and other assorted bits) to match the stock frame color, lower headlite and gauges, etc...

Still waiting for someone to produce a cool "cafe" seat cowl I can pickup.
If all ese fails I might make my own...

FWIW I painted my shock spring (red) with Rust Oleum Industrial paint from lowes (for metal, plastic, etc) and it turned out really well.  The paint bonded to the spring coating extremely well with no prep work at all (the whole thing was a whim).  No issues with the bending spring or anything like that, it still looks exactly like it did when I first painted it.

HAve you looked into MotoCreations BoomTubes. they might work better when you lower the bike. plus i think can ceramic coat it black from the factory. Also, someone on here is producing a cafe seat.

I have been(and am) a huge fan of the BoomTubes, but at this point they are outta my budget. Plus I dont wanna mess with fuel maps and programmers at this time. The open "udder" is cool for now, till I get the bike looking how I want. Then I can focus on buying/making a minimal exhaust that will fit the look/feel of the bike...

I was following that post, but from what I could see the dude either gave up or has been dragging his feet on the project. My idea was to purchase another stock cowl piece and just build it up with foam, shape it, fiberglass it, paint it, etc...Not saying I am a "master builder" but how hard could it be ?

Hyper Pro rear shock?  It has a purple spring!   [beer]

Is that better than the electric yellow one on their now ? [puke]

My favorite color for springs are bright colors, but that yellow screams "safety!!!" Im talking more on the lines of a MOPAR colors like go man go orange, or that crazy purple color. Penske blue is pretty cool too.

Proteal, you and I are in the same position. by same i mean EXACT. I wated a new spring, and got a 999 shock. im just gonna PC the spring since its relatively the right weight for me. then why not the swing arm, and i need to change out my tire this winter, so why not the wheel too? But i need to do my front wheel also, and since m yfront is broken down, im gonna do my triples too. and my guages are being lowered. [evil] its a never ending cycle!

Yup - I feel ya man.
I have a buddy who powdercoates so that isnt the issue.
It's just finding a place to tear the bike apart, having it sit while the stuff gets coated, and putting it all
back together.

The real decision now is, what color do I powdercoat ? The most sense choice would be to match the stock frame color as much as possibile, but Ultra Black looks killer when done right (see below):
When wet sanded and buffed before the clear goes on parts coated with this Ultra Black stuff looks almost wet to the touch [thumbsup] That part above was coated like 2 weeks before that pic was taken..So, do I go for the stock frame color, go with the ultra black, or go with something more matte/flat to go with the industrial look the bike is taking on ?

How are you getting to school these days?

I went around and around with the same decision a few years ago, finally just bit the bullet and replaced the shock:


(http://jdude.brinkster.net/extras/works.JPG)



worth every penny!

Train for the past 4 weeks. I just found out, if the state doesnt come up with a plan for the MTA to make more money, they are jacking up train fare to $3. With gas prices the way they are right now, it would osts me ~$1.60 a day to ride to school and back. On the train its costing me $4 a day right now....and soon $6.00 The savings =...wait for it... WINTER GEAR!!!!!!

What are the specs on that shock?

Comp, Rebound, high/low comp?
How much?
Model number?
What is your experience with other shocks?

I'm looking for a shock right now for my S2R1000 and wanted something different. I've had Penske, Ohlins and Elka.

This was my fix for going all black...until I can swing another shock, that is.  Simple, cordura nylon, cheap.   

(http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp331/joev160/shock.jpg)

http://worksperformance.com/html/street.html (http://worksperformance.com/html/street.html)


Well, you'd have to call and ask about any technical specifics - no problem, they do all their business over the phone. Very helpful. I can only tell you that I have been very happy with the performance of the shock, have had it for about 10K/mi and it has been trouble free and is still as good looking as the day I installed it.

Def. am not diggin the black sock mod.
Yes it does cover the yellow shock, but it would prob. draw more attention the shock itself.
I just need to suck ti up and powdercoat the stock shock and call it a day..

wow, seriously?  ??? :-\

Ya, not my favorite mod.  I run a small manufacturing business and we deal mostly in cordura gun cases.  The local Honda dealer contracted me to turn out a few dozen of them along with some custom seat covers.  Not real popular with the Duc crowd...

its probably not a sport bike crowd thing, those socks are ment to protect the shock from rocks and crap like that when you go off roading. So its probably more a dualsport/dirtbike thing

Def. more of a dirtbike kinda thing, but as you said it does the job...