Ducati Monster Forum

I've only begun dealing with this company (http://www.metmachex.net/ (http://www.metmachex.net/)) and have been really pleased so far. There communications back and forth with me, though always a day-delay for time difference, are great. I'm currently investigating options for both my hooped 900M and a future 900SS. My Monster is a 99, so it has the 851/888/Monster swingarm. This company offers both a standard direct replacement and a braced option. It comes high polished and with eccentric adjusters.

Somebody help enlighten me as to pro's/con's of eccentric adjusters and general user experiences. Also, if anybody has experience with this company and their swingarm products in general.  [thumbsup]

I've seen one of these on the drool worthy 900ss below:
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4iYlZ1m8UEM/StTLRZwGScI/AAAAAAAAEN0/7ZQgLhrhIZY/s800/3846224.jpeg)

and from Kaenma.de:
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4iYlZ1m8UEM/StTKwcv4tSI/AAAAAAAAENo/1_cxleOHLaM/s800/243ss%20%281%29.jpg)



Braced 851/888/Monster
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4iYlZ1m8UEM/StTKwJ5Xl3I/AAAAAAAAENY/rkJfb79AcfE/s800/monster%201.JPG)
Braced 851/888/Monster
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4iYlZ1m8UEM/StTKwBERKYI/AAAAAAAAENc/61qyODOXpPg/s800/monster%202.JPG)
Braced 851/888/Monster
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4iYlZ1m8UEM/StTKwBqGwfI/AAAAAAAAENg/iItN2EUUtBk/s800/monster%203.JPG)

Non-Braced 851/888/Monster
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4iYlZ1m8UEM/StTKwQCCrsI/AAAAAAAAENk/6-poP4S9gLI/s800/monster.jpg)

Febur Competitive Offering for 900SS: FE483 (at more than triple the price, for aluminum still!  ???)
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4iYlZ1m8UEM/StTLRPkbwFI/AAAAAAAAENw/XU0N2vyy07s/s800/Febur%20aluminum%20racing%20swingarm%20FE483%20%282100%20euros%29.jpg)

Eccentric adjusters are great.  However, adjusting them changes ride height, although I've never noticed a difference.

On the design shown above, how do you rotate left and right eccentrics the same amount?

I played online for a bit learning about them, and saw a post on webbikeworld about it, and the tiny change they made didn't seem to do really anything to ride height, because it was so minute.

Factory equip on the sssa, right?

Yeah.

On the design shown above, how do you rotate left and right eccentrics the same amount?

I've considered such a swingarm for my Bandit.  Just because of the eccentrics, but on the double-sided swingarm, how do you rotate left and right eccentrics the same amount?

Carefully?

I'll make sure to ask. I'm really not sure. I can also ask the guy with the red (white frame) 900SS pictured above.

If memory serves (albeit from swingarm.com), there's a tool that fits into one eccentric to rotate it.  It seems to me that would rotate the two eccentrics differently.  I'm pretty sure that I'm missing something.   ;)

Not sure how those aftermarket units do it...
But on an eccentric equipped Paso that I worked on, the eccentrics were splined to the axle, so they both rotated together.

Hmm. That's interesting. Happen to have, or could point me towards pics of the Paso set up?

The eccentric example I've looked at online had notches, and perhaps you tension chain, and make sure the marks are the same on both side? That seems kind of low-tech...

Just happen to have a picture of the Paso eccentric:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2651/4008811617_a2cb293eac_o.jpg)

You can see the splines.
Also note the one 'missing' spline, that lines up with a 'missing' spline on the axle.
With that, both eccentrics are aligned properly.
Makes inserting the axle a royal PITA, but there you go.

Usually splined left/right -- so adjustment isn't that difficult.

If you are sensitive to height adjustments (ie: how it affects your rake angle) -- you might want to do more research.  Else get an aftermarket shock with an adjustment for length (Penske upgrade).  Just remember to measure your ride height on the frame and then adjust the eccentric and re-adjust the shock length afterwards.  (I've had eccentrics on a few Bimota's in the past -- you love it or you hate it)  Ditto for the 916/996 SBK swingarms in regard to the eccentric for the rear hub.

Gotcha.

Thanks guys. More information to come as I learn more from the manufacturer and from Rubyvrooom who has one on his 900ss.

Mark --> Got the Penske ;)

Cool, thanks Nick!!   [bow_down]

Don't forget JMC.  They make a swingarm for the 900SS and one for the Monster. 
http://www.swingarm.com/ (http://www.swingarm.com/)
(http://www.swingarm.com/images/gallery/arms/DUC_750_900_MONO_P45.jpg)

Have you seen this swingarm?  I think it is one of the best looking swingarms ever put on a Monster.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/BarrySheene.jpg?t=1249663817)

If I remember correctly that swingarm was around $2200.  Moto Corse makes it and it might be available from Desmoworks. 

Yeah, Motocorse.

Won't work with hooped suspensions a la 851/888/Monsters. Works with newer ST based monsters though.

Note, the Febur 900SS swingarm is 2200....EUROS. eegadz.

Not really much different from the janky Ducati setup on the non-S*R Monsters.  :P

The eccentric setup on the Paso was designed to use a special tool.
It didn't turn very easy, but the bike had spent a while outside and/or in a harsh environment.
I'm sure it worked a heap better when it was new.

JMC is swingarm.com

I got updates.

The Metmachex swingarm includes axle and uses the woodruff key setup to make sure both are the same. That would be like the Paso unit above, and making sure both sides are the same approximately zero hassle compared to the stock "lotsa hassle".

There is a 10mm hole on each side to fit rearstand spools/bobbins, which is good news - I like spooled swingarms far more than I like rubber-armed swingarms. There, I said it.

There is conflicting answers about the fitment of a rear hugger
- Ducati Kaemna says no fit, there customers have just run without it.
- Metmachex themselves says it fits fine, looks like it would be funny in the picture, but everything is the same as stock, so chain guard and hugger go right on no big deal.

Plain and simple, I can see why there is confusion. There are no less than three rear huggers for the hooped swingarm series, Monster Specific (from Motowheels):

93-94
(http://www.motowheels.com/italian/images/lg120213226.jpg)
95-99
(http://www.motowheels.com/italian/images/lg260163256.jpg)
00-01
(http://www.motowheels.com/italian/images/lg895054460.jpg)

Also the 851/888
(http://www.motowheels.com/italian/images/lg104313342.jpg)

So that's nice and confusing. I've got the 95-99 part, let's cross our fingers and hope.

In other news, for those of you following along that are interested in you ST-framed Monsters, Metmachex also makes a swingarm for you, AND they also make a single-sided swingarm for you.

Ducati ST2-4 (and thus Monsters sharing those frames):
(http://www.metmachex.net/LIB/SINGLESIDER-DUCATI-PST2-4001.JPG)

And the standard replacement for ST2-4/Monsters:
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4iYlZ1m8UEM/StXRmZPlFII/AAAAAAAAEOg/cKXLWlp2iWk/s800/e685_35.jpg)
http://cgi.ebay.de/Metmachex-Aluminium-Schwinge-Ducati-ST2-ST4-Monster_W0QQitemZ290276975719QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorrad_Kraftradteile?hash=item4395db2467 (http://cgi.ebay.de/Metmachex-Aluminium-Schwinge-Ducati-ST2-ST4-Monster_W0QQitemZ290276975719QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorrad_Kraftradteile?hash=item4395db2467)

A good friend of mine has a Metmachex swing-arm on his SV650. He had nothing but great things to say about them. He has the eccentrics.

There are also custom one-off options available...

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/3700498774_f96bc1edd1.jpg)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3454/3699687795_07ef929ba3.jpg)

For my SS plans, I'm looking for definitely custom pipes, kind of like ArcFab used to make that were 'undertails'. And I'm still trying to figure out how to get supermono bodywork. I've seen the airtech streamlining kit, but heard the quality was only so-so, and I need no headlight openings (at this time).

Quick shot of an inspiring ride, then back to swingarms (i can't believe i nearly began to threadjack my own thread)

(http://www.ducati.ms/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35342&d=1218157135)
(http://www.ducati.ms/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35344&d=1218157135)
Kiwihame's '89 900ss: 888 fender, carbon Supermono fairing, Nissan projector beam lights, '95 tank, carbon 955 Corsa tail, 900SSie swingarm (and a ridiculous amount of other things (http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?p=457632&highlight=888#post457632))

Give it a half-fairing so the engine is visible...like the red SS in your swingarm thread.

Fixed.  ;)
Any pics of it on the bike?


That SS looks awesome! More pics or link please.  ;D

the axle on that swingarm doesn't look like it would fit the 25mm wheels standard on late model monsters/ST models, and ideas on that?

Just spoke with my friend about Metmachex experience.....i remembered it wrong.
He said that the build quality is exceptional, but when it was delivered, they sent two of the same side axle nuts sliders(or cups), and no chain slider that was to be included with the purchase. He did not opt for the eccentric, due to some reviews he read, even though it looks trick.After delivery of the swingarm he said it was very difficult to get them to send the correct side nut and chain slider. He received the nut but not the slider, he then just bought a slider later out of frustration.
As as he said, this wouldn't have been an issue if they were local, or even in the US, as shipping is cheaper, and hours of communication are tolerable. Alos, this was a swingarm to fit an R1 wheel on an SV650.
So what i am really saying is...Have Duck-Stew make one for you, support our resident flounder.
I am sure that Metmachex does fine business and my friends experience is probably isolated....just though i would bring it up.

there is also
http://spondonengineering.co.uk/ (http://spondonengineering.co.uk/)
swing arms

it looks like the same size nut as my S2R....and that is 42 or 46mm something huge. That bike BTW came stock with a DSS, so he/she would need to purchase a different rear wheel.....if that is what you meant.

Not yet.  It's not finished yet.  The hexagonal aluminum adjuster plates need to be milled still and the slot for the 17mm axle need to be machined too (as well as a few more things...)

he may be talking about the DSS pictured next to that one, that's a direct replacement. Not sure if is shown with the 17mm axle or the 20mm or the 25mm

Link is in post, below pictures, reproduced here: http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?p=457632&highlight=888#post457632 (http://www.ducati.ms/forums/showthread.php?p=457632&highlight=888#post457632)

I am, from the photo, the DSS axle appears to have a 17mm axle on it...

I certainly don't have one nearby to measure, but it would seem to me that they would fit the size you need when you ordered.

sorry I just saw the SSS in your reply

nbd.