Ducati Monster Forum

I'm after a set of my spoked wheels for my 620, Has anyone tried fitting a set off a sport classic? I suspect that they will be too wide and possibly rub on the swing arm - has anyone first hand experience?

The rear is wider - so you'd have to deal with that. People have done the 4.5" to 5.5" converson on the smaller monsters before - but its costly. Also, you'd be losing performance - The spoke wheels weigh a lot. The front is probably heavier that your stock one and the rear must be. So you're going to pay a lot for a slower to accelerate, harder to stop, less agile bike...

Ok Thanks, I thought that I had read somewhere that the spoked wheels were significantly lighter ???. I Wouldn't be Interested in doing it if it was going to add weight

I haven't seen numbers... but as a general rule, spokes are always heavy wheels. Add the weight of an inner tube to the mix as well. Oh yeah... you'd need inner tubes...

The sport classic Rear with tube, sprocket and rotor tips the scales at 30.5 pounds the front at 17.75

3 spokes - wheel only goes for  11.5 lbs front, 13 lbs rear. Add in the rotors and such and you'd still be adding about 15 pounds of rotating, un-sprung mass to your bike.

Spoke wheels..heavy!

But..they looked good on the monsters I've seen in the past.  Mainly Euro bikes. Not sure I've seen any bikes in here or TOB with them?

Alpina wheels = no inner tubes.

Yeah - folks to make tubeless spokes - but he specifically mentioned Sport Classic wheels. Guess  I could/should have mentioend the tubeless... but they are still heavy by comparison

And relatively spendy.

Seriously, tho, SC wheels are RETARDED heavy. Can't wait to swap mine for a set of 10 spokes.

I thought the aluminum rimmed SC rims weighed the same as the stock 3 spoke wheels on the Monsters.  The GT1000's rims are chromed steel and are obviously heavier than those on the other Sport Classics.

I wish there was a chart that could show the actual weights (not just the advertised weight) of all the Ducati stock wheels and common aftermarket wheels.  Everything would have to be equal.  Advertised weights of all the aftermarket wheels are very optimistic compared to actual weights. 

What year 620 does the original poster have?  If he has the larger 4-piston goldline brakes, then these will not work with SC wheels.  If he has a 2005+ 620 then most likely he has the 2 piston smaller brakes (same as those on the SC's) and these will work with the SC wheels. 

That's not 100% correct. IF he as the 4 piston calipers, he would need the 320mm, 10 mm offset rotors vs the 300mm 0 offset rotors seen on the tail end 620s 695s etc... The wheels would work fine though.

here's where I got my info on the SC wheels
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-wheels/carrozzeria-wheels/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-wheels/carrozzeria-wheels/)
They actually weighed theirs. Then compared them to a set of Carrozzeria Forged.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=37028.0 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=37028.0)

Good to know that the change would only necessitate a rotor change for the later 620s & 695.

Thanks for the link.  I remember that article which I read when researching new wheels a while back.  Just like the author I opted for Carrozzerias from DucPond.  I too weighed my wheels before and after.  The stock front 3-spoke Monster wheel from my 2005 1000 weighed 10 lbs w/o the rotor.  The stock rear weighed in at just under 18lbs w/o the rotor or sprocket.  So those GT100 wheels are definitely a lot heavier than stock 3-spoke Monster wheels.  Looks like he would add 7.25lbs to the front wheel alone by doing the switch.  

I would still like to see the weights of the Alpinas and also the aluminum-rimmed SC1000 and Paul Smart SC wheels.

I've got an 05, It's good to know that it will fit with just a rotor change. I'd agree that it would be good to see some accurate weight comparisons between some of the wheel options, as it sounds that official quoted figures often vary a bit from actual rates.

Incidently, the wheels that I was considering were off a Paul Smart model, didn't realise that they were aluminium rimed - so I would be interested if anyone knows what they actually weigh

Since you have an 05 then you don't even have to worry about the rotor change since you already have the same 300mm 0mm offset rotors found on all of the Sport Classics. 

Now you just need to find out how much the aluminum Paul Smart wheels weigh.  If they are close to the steel rimmed GT1000 rims then I'd say no way.  If they are close in weight to your stock wheels then go for it. 

AFAIK your stock 3-spoke wheels weigh the same as the ones on my 05 Monster mentioned above.  I've got pictures of them sitting on the scale w/o rotors or sprocket for the rear.  10 lbs for the front and just under 18lbs for the rear.

Sport Classics use 320mm discs. All of them.

Also, and I realize this is picking nits, the 2-piston calipers on the Sport Classics are not the same as the 2 piston calipers on the later 620 and 695. They look the same, but they use a slightly larger brake pad with a different part number.

Sorry Ollie,  I didn't mean to give you wrong info.  Listen to yuu and Obsessed.  This is just a project I was interested in about 2 years ago which never got further than the discussion phase. 

Obsessed, even though the discs on his 05 aren't the same as those on the Sport Classic.  I have been told that the 05 and later 620s and the 695s (Monsters with 2-piston front calipers) will accept the SC wheels without problems.  Do you think this is true?

OK, I'll stick to pictures. 
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/Goldie9.jpg?t=1282926854)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/RecycleMonster3.jpg?t=1282926887)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/MonsterSpokeWheels_RightSideFront-1.jpg?t=1282926887)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/MonsterSpecialRR-1.jpg?t=1282927043)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/AlpinasTemp-1.jpg?t=1282927043)

Asssssssolutely.  [thumbsup] It's the same axle size and the calipers will should clear the spokes with no problem.

Also, 4 piston calipers can be modified to work with the spoked wheels. Just to muddy the waters a bit more.

Alpina also makes a carbon fiber version of their tubeless spoked wheels.  These wheels have carbon fiber rims and spokes.  I don't know what these weigh, but these have to be the lightest spoked wheels possible for a Monster.  Jeff at MonsterParts can get them.  He quoted me something like $2,600 for the pair this past spring.

You can see what these look like on the last pages of this Alpina catalog from 2008.  Sorry I didn't find anything more recent.
http://pakbikes.net/PS1000LE/ALPINAtubeless2008.pdf (http://pakbikes.net/PS1000LE/ALPINAtubeless2008.pdf)

I was wanting to do this too. I know you mentioned it on my retro cafe thread trav, but I have a set of Paul Smarts already promised to me for very little cash when the snow falls here in ohio. Will I too have caliper clearance issues on a 99 750? Sorry to thread crash.. [drink]

Crash away, I'm Interested to see if anyone has a set a paul smarts on a monster. I can't seem to find any info on what they weigh.

Travman, those carbon alpinas look great from a weight point of view  but carbon doesn't quite fit with where I wan't to go with my bike - that gold bike that you posted a pic of before is awesome [thumbsup] and is more along the lines of where I want to head, any more info on it, or is a board members bike?

I had a pair of SC aluminum hooped wheels and the rear SC wheel weighed at 12.5# and the front was around 11# (IIRC) (no rotors, no tires, no tubes, no sprocket carriers).

A benefit to adding rotational weight to your bike (here comes all the flame-throwing 'net bashers):  It will track more smoothly through corners w/additional wheel weight.  Basically, if you're in your line and rolling through the corner and hit a bump...the bike will track better than if you've got lighter weight wheels on the bike.

TO ALL THE 'LESS IS MORE' CROWD:  I get it...you're right...less rotational mass is a damn good thing for Ben Bostrom, Nicki Hayden and the ilk. 

Sometimes though, more is better on the street.  And besides, they look the hawt-shiz yo!  [thumbsup]

I can see that logic. it's like the old bicycle tire trick on the spinning seat. use the spinning wheel for a benefit instead of fighting it.

if you aren't in a situation where you NEED to change direction quickly that makes sense. where I live... it doesn't. the roads to my house... are like a racetrack. lefts and rights on top of each other, tight turns with rises, switchbacks. long sweepers and tight 180's... oh yeah i missed my ride.

This is very true!  Super-light flywheels and wheels are not for everyone and they do come with certain drawbacks.

BK

Thanks Stuart, this is what I have been wanting to know for a while now.  Compared to my stock wheels the Paul Smart front would be around a pound heavier and the rear would actually be almost 6.5# lighter (not including tubes).  So overall these alumimum rimmed spoked wheels from Ducati are close to the the stock wheels found on most classic style Monsters (maybe even lighter).  Does this sound right?

Sorry, I have don't have a lot of information on the gold bike.  I know the bike is named "Goldie".  It is probably in Italy and there are a few YouTube videos of it.  I would like to know more about those pipes.
Goldie Sound (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aYb6PrCEr4#normal)

If I remember correctly (which is big...b/c I don't remember all that I used to these days), the SC rear was 12.5# and my Road-Racing wire was 13.5# and I thought myself stupid for staying with the RR wheels.  I don't recall exactly the weight of the front actually...

Perhaps someone should make a trip to an SC board....

Those are gone.
Alpina is now only using Excel hoops on their street wheel builds
(like the last batch duck-stew used on his flat-track build)

slightly OT but what the part numbers for the Alpina wheels that fit a monster?
I'm struggling to find them here in europe.

Pages and pages of off roader wheels but no monster ones.

Hi
JC here from Alpinawheelsusa.com
or better known as PAK Bikes.
Let me try and answer a few questions
Here is a chart based on the Aluminum alloy wheel on the Paul Smart
(http://jcpakbikes.com/alpinawheelweight.jpg)
The GT wheels are a lot heavier then the Alloy
The Alpina's have most of the weight towards the center so when the wheels spin they are lighter.
The static weight loss is not much but these wheels are stronger then forged wheels as they flex more.
Most Supermoto guys like Alpina spoked wheels because the spoke wheels do not crack like forged wheels do whne Bashing about.

Also There is no Carbon Fiber Rims or wheels available for the Monster or the Sort Classic right now.
This wheel from alpina are called the Carbon Matrix Tubeless STS system wheel from Alpina.
The STS System is very Different From the Tubeless-A-System.
The "A" System is only available for the Ducati Monster, Ducati Sport Classic, Honda Hornet and Motoguzzi V11
The STS uses the stock Hubs from the models that these are available for, or in some cases depending of the model Talon or Kite hubs are used. These kits or builds come with the alpina spokes, Alpina STS nipples, and Specially alpina Machined rims made by Excel, GLM or in some cases Behr. The STS wheels are tightened and trued at the rim and sealed with the STS Nipples
The A System has a fixed nipple that seals at he rim and are tightened and trued at the Hub. The hubs are only available from Alpina made from a solid chunk of billet.


The "A" version for the Monster comes in two different rear axle sizes and  has a slightly different Hub from the Sport Classic.
The front Wheel Does not have a 4mm Rotor Spacer option as the Sport Classic version does. This 4mm Spacer, when used, will run the stock caliper. When removed the wheel accepts the Brembo Gold like 4 pad or 2 pad Caliper.
They will fit all Monsters that have the standard Swingarm.
I have heard that you can use Stock Sport classic wheels on the monster. It seems that the Axles size and the wheel spacers are what is different.

If I can help in any way or if you have any more questions regarding Alpina wheels please email us directly
jc@jcpakbikes.com


regards
JC

There should be a reseller in europe. Or Contact them directly.
or if none of that works email me and I'll get it sorted out for you

JC
jc@jcpakbikes.com

(http://crs-america.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Ducati-M900/IMG2026/949905157_xWErf-L.jpg)
(http://crs-america.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Ducati-M900/-/490629825_ws9u4-M.jpg)

All depends on what you want.  I envisioned my Monster as an urban cruiser, not a track bike.  The 3-5lbs pounds the Alpinas weighed over the OEM Brembos were inconsequential to me, compared to the aesthetics.  YMMV.  AFAIK, the Sport Classic wheels weigh significantly more than the Alpinas, given they have steel rims.  Never mind, I saw you had some aluminum paul smart rims lined up.

When I get home I'll pm you an email of someone at Alpina.  They may no longer be available.  Be aware that Alpina strictly adheres to the classic Italian model of customer service.

Hey JC, if I may, I'd like to email you tomorrow with a question about my wheels. 
David

You bet
Email anytime
call if you like (see site)
alpinawheelsusa.com

BTW
The Alpina's pictured above with the Longitudinal  e.g. Black inside and Silver outer, as well as the tattoo type which were the Flames and Checks etc etc are no longer available
The Splits are still available
Like these
(http://jcpakbikes.com/alpinamonster/preview/dscf3698.jpg)

Cheers
JC