Ducati Monster Forum

Here are some progress pics I took with my phone camera (don't have a better camera right now).  The pics were taken in full sun so with the color and quality aren't the greatest (sorry).  I can tell you the paint work I've done matches the Ducati Red perfectly because I used Color Rite paint.  Except for the Termi slip-ons, ECU & air filter (they were on the bike when I got it from the dealer) I did everything myself; even changing the tires.  It's not the most elaberate of M1100 mods (I think Ungeheuer holds that title) but I'm kinda proud because I did the work.

Here's the list:
Oberon bar end mirrors
Rizoma billet clutch & brake reservoirs
Monster gel grips
Jesse racing bar riser
Pin striping on fly screen & tank
DP carbon tank trim
Carbon front fender & seat cowl from Monster Parts
Gel Corse stickers on fender & seat cowl
Seat foam cut for flatter seating (can't see this in the pics)
DP carbon hugger
Woodcraft rearsets with pressure switch for brake light
DP mudflap eliminator
Headlight trim painted in Duc red
Sprocket carrier painted in Duc red
OZ forged billet wheels
Termi slip ons with DP ECU and free flow air filter
DUC-EE installed & flapper controller removed
Mid pipe from 696 to eliminate flapper valve
Speedymoto open clutch cover
Oberon red billet pressure plate
Speedymoto SS clutch springs & black caps
front blinker spacers removed
Speedymoto frame sliders
Ohlins rear shock
Painted crankcase cover
DP CF exhaust heat shields
Charcoal canister removed & CF covers installed
All warning stickers removed
Chrome Termi stickers
CF sprocket cover
Red billet oil fill cap

I think that's it... for now at least.  [laugh]

Pictar fail?

OK, now for the sorry pics I promised.

(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0012.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0010.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0008.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0001.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0011.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0009.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0007.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0006.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0005.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0004.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0002.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0014.jpg)
(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0013.jpg)

No, you just didn't give me enough time  [laugh]

OK, now I'm open to suggestions.  I might go with Boom-Tubes to open the rear up a little and loose a little weight that is carried up high.

While some of the work I've done is purely cosmetic, I do most with the intent of gaining performance.

Lol we're a tough crowd here :)

Other than the grips...
(http://www.makli.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Randy-Quaid-as-Cousin-Eddie.jpg)

That's real nice Clark!

Are you trying to say I went a little over the top?  Sorry, I'm a little dense; I don't get your meaning.  You don't like the grips or you think I went overboard with what I've done with everything?  I want honest opinions; I'm still not sure about the sprocket carrier being red.  I might go to black on that.

Lol sorry, that is a movie reference that not all might get.

The grips are a little loud for my tastes, but if you dig 'em, then rock on. Other than those I like what you did with your bike.

Yea, I got the reference and that's why I'm asking.  The grips actually look better in person (at least to me).  I changed them mostly because they are gel and a little thicker.  The stock grips hurt my hands because they were too small.

It looks great - many mods to my liking [thumbsup]

Since you ask: red headlight trim and fairing pin stripes must go. Good idea for some bikes, but your bike's look is much rougher and mechanical.

Everything else is really lifting the bike visually - and I'm sure they help riding/performance as well [moto]

I've been kinda thinking the same way.  I think my most recent mod of swapping the silver Enkei wheels for the black OZ might have sent me in a whole new direction.  With the silver wheels the other things kinda went together, now with the 5 spoke black wheels... I might have to sit back and do a little thinking and  [drink]

I'm gonna give it a little more time though.

I also considered getting the CF fly screen and tank covers but I came to my senses. Now that WOULD be too much even for Clark.

i have the same bike silver with red frame
red looks good on sprocket carrier and head light bezel. I think throwing on a wheel stripes in red to see if it brings it all together or might be to much.
The black wheels really changes how the bikes colors come together.
I like all the other mods as well. [thumbsup]

OK, so far I have one vote favorable, one vote against the grips, one vote against the painted headlight trim & pin striping.  This is starting to be fun.  What's next...

The bike looks good.
How do you like the lighter wheels?

-M

I like the red pinstripe and the Termi decals - nice touches!  [thumbsup]

Actually, it's killing me because I haven't been able to ride the bike since I put the new wheels on Tuesday evening.  Tuesday, just as I was finishing up installing the wheels a thunderstorm blew in.  Then yesterday and today I have had business commitments that kept me from riding.  When I finally do get to try it out I'll post my thoughts here:
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42579.msg763993#msg763993 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42579.msg763993#msg763993)

Thanks Dave.  How about some input on what to do next???

Ride it? ;D

Very nice for a M1100  [thumbsup]


mitt

Digging the red headlight trim.

IMHO Boomtubes are mostly cosmetic, although you will be carrying less weight so indirectly they'll add to to the up side of the power/weight equasion.  And they do look fantastic..... but.... I have my doubts that you will gain any direct performance from them - maybe even a small net loss. There's never been any numbers released to counter (or support) my thoughts.....  

I disagree.  I like the red pins on the silver and I especially like your red headlight bezel, not only sets it apart but along with the red sprocket carrier works really well as a theme.

I like the black wheels just as they are, no rim striping at and... why would you be looking for black or red billet wheel nuts?  The stock silver items already look great in your silver/red/black theme.   [thumbsup]

Just one thing... I'm inclined to agree with others... the grips....  to my eyes.... are a little cheesy  :D.

^^ Back-handed compliments are still compliments.... Slowly we're dragging the lovers of Monsters past into the modern era  ;) ;D

Very nice dennisd [thumbsup] [clap] [thumbsup]

I tried being discrete  ;D  I still can't compare m1100's to m1000's - they are just not in the same boat IMO.

mitt

OK, thats like 3 votes no against the grips.  At least I didn't pay a lot for them.  Maybe I'll see if I can find some black gel/silver billet grips.  Maybe like these Rizomas:

http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/GR205/Bars-Mirrors/GR205.html (http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/GR205/Bars-Mirrors/GR205.html)

Mate, if YOU like the bloody grips then why not keep em?  Its your bike  [thumbsup]

Couldn't have said it better myself. You asked our opinion, but it's your bike man. If you dig them, rock 'em.

Nice looking bike!   [thumbsup]   [moto]

• some color on the wheels would be cool!
• black or red shock spring
• decals = NO

Those OZ wheels are the shiznit!  Wish they came in white.   8)  I can't get around the look of black wheels on certain bikes (no matter what kopfjager says).   ;D

The grips aren't my cup of tea; however, your hands will cover them anyway when you ride the bike. In the end, if you like them, keep them. If you're like me, I tend to change grips every few thousand miles (or less, depending on my mood), so if you hate 'em, they will need replacement pretty quickly.

I am on the fence about wheel stripes in red...

Like the other red details!!!

Nice bike, overall!!!

I've been on the fence about a couple of the things I've done.  The grips were one of them.  That's why I'm asking for the opinions of others.  Some days I like the grips, some days I'm like "what was I thinking?"  I definitely like the extra size and cushion they add over the stock grips.  Like Bunnyman said, I don't see them when I ride anyway, so for now I'll keep them.

The other thing I was on the fence about is the painted sprocket carrier.  It kinda draws extra attention to that area.  At first I wasn't sure I wanted to do that but the more I see it the more I like it.  With the headlight trim painted, the painted sprocket carrier gives the bike a visual flow, IMO.  Your eyes are drawn to the front of the bike, through the frame to the rear wheel.  In photography, this is called flow; it makes your eyes take in the entire picture.

Now I'm trying to find a way to do the same to the curb side.  Your eyes are still drawn to the front of the bike by the headlight/frame but from there it gets kinda lost.  The open clutch works to some extent as does the wheel/SSS but I still feel it needs something.  Maybe I should just leave the curb side to the mechanical look it has now?  I'm not sure about pin-striping the wheels.  I could use some tape and then decide.  Tape would be easy to remove.

The problem with pin-striping the wheels; the OZ Motorbike wheels have an Orange label that looks to be painted on.  Red will clash and I really don't want to remove the label.  I was thinking about something toward the middle of the wheel around the wheel nut.  At first I thought a red billet wheel nut to match the clutch plate but decided against that.

The shock spring does kinda stick out doesn't it?  I thought about red but decided that would be TOO much.  I had a red billet crank cover on but went back to the stock one painted black which cleaned up the look a lot.  Maybe I'll have to do the spring in black also.

DAM IT, Ungeheuer; you have my head spinning from reading and trying to comprehend all the threads about tuning the M1100.  I really have no desire to eliminate the stock air box (remember I'm running the DP "race" kit with free flow air filter, ECU & Termi slip ons) and the Wasp works system "only" adds 2-4 PHP (negligible IMO).  From what I gather in all the threads you have going or participated in, I could just order the Rexxer unit and improve ride-ability?   I can order it preloaded to eliminate the O2 sensors, fatten up the low to mid fueling, raise the rev limit?  Sounds like that would give me better ride-ability in the low-mid range while adding a little more top performance because of the increased rev limit.  Plus from what I understand, I could read error codes stored in the ECU and also reset the service reminder?

Looks AOK to me, but what do I know?

2hp? WASP are showing figures of +4hp for their kit and +0hp for Termi cans....  ;).  Maybe have a yack with DucNaked he's running a setup almost identical to yours - he Rexxered away the stock o2s/closed loop to "fatten up" the low end and gain an extra 1000rpm at the top end.

OK, thanks.  I'll PM DucNaked (unless he chimes in here).  But what about the ability to read error codes and reset the maintenance reminder?

Yes, you can read and reset error codes and the service light.

I'm running basicaly the same setup as you except I've got  stock cored cans until my new exhaust arrives. I've put about 150 miles on the flash, so far so good. Removing the closed loop portion of the map has made the bike more enjoyable to ride. And I haven't hit the rev limiter yet, which I used to.

I also want to say that I'm running a full system map created for Zards and it's performing great with the stock components. I'm going to pull the plugs in a week or so to see how they look. But the bike is running great I can't imagine they will look bad.

Thanks for the input.  So just removing the closed loop setup and richening up the bottom-mid range got rid of the lurching below 3500 RPM?  Did you also get better throttle response below 3500 RPM?  Yea, I'd like the extra 1000 RPM headroom for the first few gears.

I can't imagine that the map for the Zards is rich enough that it would foul the plugs.  The good thing about it is, even if it is a little rich now, it won't hurt anything and just imagine how much better it's going to run with the Zards.

Next project??

I've improved the rear suspension tremendously by replacing the Sachs with the Ohlins.  The Showa forks seem pretty good now that I've got them adjusted to my weight but I'm wondering if re-valving them would be worth the trouble/expense.  Anyone done any re-valving to their Showa forks on the M1100?

And BTW, you don't have to tell me I should have gotten an "S" model.

Ya, eliminating the O2 ( which eliminates the closed loop ) smoothed things out down low. Bike excelerates in a more linear fashion now.

I siad the map was created for a Zard full system. I didn't say I was getting a Zard system.   [evil]

So you are going to go with...

Like what you've done.  Bike looks good.  I think the black on the headlight should be painted silver to match the fairing/tank.  But most obvious, I think you should powder-coat that yellow spring to red, black, or silver.

As for re-valving the front suspension it depends on your weight.  I don't know about on the new monsters but the previous models came from the factory setup for 160 pound riders and is definitely IMO a mandatory first mod for most western riders.

Western riders?  Isnt Italy in the Western hemisphere anymore??! 

I see what you are saying but I prefer to leave it black to tie it in with the black lower triple and the fork lowers.  Only thing I thought of is to get one in CF to match the rest but then again I don't want to go overboard with CF either.  I AM thinking about taking the shock back off and going with black on the spring but I'd probably just use urethane paint.

I'm around 175 to 180 lbs so I don't think I need to respring the forks; I don't seem to have an excessive amount of fork dive under hard braking; I am just wondering if I could get the forks more compliant.  Some of the pavement I ride is a little rough so I would like to make sure I'm keeping good tire to pavement contact.  I'll probably just play with the fork settings a little more.  Going from the Sachs shock to the Ohlins did wonders at the rear but I don't think the Showa forks are THAT far off making it necessary to change to the Ohlins forks.

your oil looks low.  oddly, that was the first thing i noticed.  haha

looks good

must quote mitt....very nice for a m1100

Not sure how you come to that conclusion.  The oil level is actually a little overfull.  It's just not enough to make it worth trying to get any out.  When the bike is sitting level on the ground, the level is just slightly over the upper mark.   And with the bike on the rear stand like in the pics the sight glass is completely full.

BTW, thanks for all the comments everyone.  Keep the suggestions comming; I really want your input.

Okay, us American FatAsses.   8)  At least my 215 lb fatass.

 :o  Impossible.  You can never have enough CF.  ;D

OK, DucNaked; I tried and tried to avoid it but I finally have to break down and ask; what is the meaning/significance of your avatar?

Dude it's the guy from the movie 300 and he really likes bananas or has a potassium deficiency.   [laugh] [laugh]

Leonidas is singing about bananas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nadwdrpys78#normal)

Here you go.

OK, now I get all about who is in the shot and what is going on (never watched 300, yet).

But my question was more to DucNaked, what is the significance to you personally.  You just think it's a cool shot or what.  I'm not being a smart ass or anything, I'm just curious.

An update on my progress.  Blacked out the flyscreen.  Been wanting to do it for a while.  Finally got some Krylon Fusion in a no gloss black (cammo).  Masked off the front of the screen then sprayed the back.  The cammo black is a non reflective paint and it matches the black plastic and matte finish on the bike pretty well.

(http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad148/dennisdib/m1100/IMAG0015.jpg)

Again, sorry for the crappy pics.  I gotta get myself a camera.

I wanna see more pics of that 77 Tiger  [thumbsup]

I just thought it was funny that's all. [thumbsup]

I'm thinking I want to change it to an "eagle or bird of some sort"

What direction will it be facing?  ;D

I don't know; I have a problem with birds.  Had a buzzard (vulture) crap all over me one time while I was riding.  The buzzard swooped up from a roadside ditch rising just enough so we didn't impact but just as I cleared him he let go spraying me from head to belt line.  Luckily I had on a full face helmet and leather jacket that took the hit.  I still remember my ex wife rolling on the ground laughing as I washed my jacket and helmet in the water standing in the ditch (we were out in the middle of nowhere so that was my only choice).  On two separate (other) occasions I ended up with dead small birds in my lap after we collided.  I guess I'm lucky that the buzzard and I didn't collide; they are pretty big birds.

 [puke]