Ducati Monster Forum

I was at Summit Point Raceway yesterday and I did what I knew was inevitable:  Dragged the sidestand.

(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n302/peter_anon/IMG_0053.jpg)

The bike got wobbly and the grinding sound was as loud as the motor.  I made it around the turn OK, but I want to avoid the experience again.  Suggestions?

remove the side stand on the track and have a rear stand for the pits?

or raise the rear with the 1100 clevis.

Couple questions -

a) What's your weight in gear?
- if a is more than 170 lbs, have you replaced the springs with something more suitable? Ducs are sprung for skinny euros  ;) not us 'mericans

b) How was you body position? Were you positioned to minimize the lean of the bike, aka hanging off (properly)?

c) If you were riding Summit, how come you've never posted in CAM?  Huh huh?

a) In gear, about 215 lbs.

b) Body position is good.  Not just me saying it:  A coach followed me around and said that was OK.  I need to work on hitting the apex points better.  I know that...  [roll]

c) What is CAM?  I went to Summit Point with Team Pro-Motion.

So you're my size to a dime. Which means the stock springs are way too soft. Especially for the track

CAM is the closest local area section to summit. There's a few 'members' who live right by the track. I figured if you were running summit you were some what local
 

if he uses the 1100 clevis wouldnt that change the geometry?

yes, it would a bit, but for the track i suspect it would adjust it in a positive way, but you'll have to ask a suspension guru. you also could change the front but pushing it through a bit, or better yet for his weight, changing forks.

and for certain he needs a stronger rear spring. probably his biggest problem.

Thanks to all for input.  The bike is in the shop now -- I can install rearsets and oil coolers, but I am still leery of suspension work.  Longer clevis in the back, spacers up front along with stiffer single rate spring up front and heavier oil.  I pick it up on Saturday and go hooligan for a while to get the feel.  Then, on Sunday the 30th, off to NJMP on the Thunderbolt course.   [thumbsup]

I might still shave down the sidestand.   ;)

Why are you leery of suspension work?

I guess because I have never done it before.  Could be simple.   [roll]  But, hey, I have effed up simple before!   :o

Well you could always take it to someone... If you were at Summit DucPond isn't very far off. Donnie and his guys would have no problem getting the right spring set ordered for you and then doing your base settings w the new springs

mmm...ducpond.  donnie is super cool, and love their little collection of bikes in the back  [thumbsup]

DucPond is where I took it and I picked it up today.  Donnie did the inspection and most of the work, though it didn't take much.  Turns out the rear spring is stiff enough with a lot of preload.  The front needed heavier oil and both front and rear needed raising: New clevis in the back, spacers up front.  The bike stands nearly 1.5" taller.  A 60 mile ride with some decent turns make me think this was the right thing to do.  Next weekend will prove it when I head to New Jersey Motorsports Park. 

I may still grind some off the sidestand.
 

spacers up front? please explain and pics?

Perhaps inside the fork legs.

Donnie and the gang do good work - good to hear he could sort things out with minimal invasion.

both of those increase the preload on the front and rear springs, which are progressive rate springs. wonder what kind of effect that has.

It was spacers up front inside the forks which does increase the preload, and the heavier oil.  Then the triple clamp was shifted up the fork tube, to grab it at the top.  The front feels more firm.  Since my GF has a 696, too, I can compare stock to this and it is more firm.