Ducati Monster Forum

I've got a list of things still yet to acquire for the 'to do' list on the S4, but I'd like some feedback as to which ones are worth doing and what other options may be available.

Haven't had this bike that long, so realizing I could go bezerk with mods is all too tempting, and I am having to control myself. In fact I've done quite a few things already, just can't leave it alone.

Current mods:
Tail chop
Staintune Exhaust
Speedymoto kukri pro pressure plate, stainless springs and caps, Ti bolts, 5 Spoke clutch cover.
Titax racing levers (short)
Aero Taper flat bar
Carbon fairing screen

and the 'to do list'

steering damper - ohlins - although I believe only the frame to fork style is available (anyone have something else?)
Rearsets (Rizoma- any other options?)  pipes are still low on S4, and won't be changing.
Clipons  - speedymoto tall boy adjustables ( currently have an aero flat bar, but contemplating clipons as I'm used to the crouch...)
Triple clamps - speedymoto?
Seat - corbin?
Headlight - speaker LED 7" insert, with a spacer ring into factory shroud (possible) - or some other options which separate the low/high beams.
Speedymoto water pump housing - just for the black anodized look.
Ducati Performance Parts:
96738610A - VIPER matt black aluminium rear-view mirrors
96518302B  - electronic quick shifter kit
969.2.220.0B Ducati Performance Carbon Fibre fuel tank, MS4 (or equivalent- even better would be something that carries more fuel)
Magnesium engine covers???  or thinking possibly r&r the original ones and repaint them black?

More carbon - or more specific, remove / repair / respray the existing carbon - front guard, rear hugger, belt covers and side covers.

was thinking about a carbon belly pan and the carbon radiator side covers (long ones).

Eventually, the aim is to strip and rebuild the bike from scratch, with a respray in a traditional colour scheme (imola / '74)

but I may change my mind…. colours are like that.


EDIT: forgot to mention I have already done airbox mod and have a K&N.  I'm looking for a carbon lower airbox section.

Working on updating my S4 as well.  So to save you some headache here's what I've learned......

Rearsets:
 - Rizoma makes a decent pair but everyone has them.  I have a set if nice minimal looking Ducabike's.  CycleCat makes em, if you can get them on the phone and Style and Performance made some back in the day (unobtanium) at this point but if you happen to find a pair, get'em. 

Triple:
Love my Speedymoto complete triple tree for my S4.  If you go with the SM triples with the risers you can have a steering damper on the riser.  If you go with clipons then the fork/frame fitment is the only option.  A company called IMA makes some nice triples as well. 

Clipons:
Lots of options here for 50mm clipons that are either straight, angled down or with a ride.  Take your pick from Speedymoto, Vortex, Woodcraft, LSL, Ducabike.  Also depending on how you are doing your upgrades you may want to consider construction.  Some clipons force you to take off the top triple or slide the forks down to get them on.  Others come in two pieces.  All depends on upgrade priority list. 

Tank: 
A CF tank would work or if you can get your hands on an 05 S4R tank that will work as well.  And it's not plastic

Think that's all the help I can offer..  What no wheels for you??

JW Speaker made a plug & play kit for Monsters a couple of years back.
Worth it to check out if they still have it...

Don't resist the mod virus. You're already infected and must go with the flow to live a happy life [thumbsup]

AFAIK, that CF tank will only be available through a private sale.

'05 S4R tank is the same part as what an S4 originally had.

CA Cycleworks has bigger tanks in the works, but they're plastic.

wait for the Aluminum tanks ;)

Nah. I like the Marchesini 5 spokes. and theyre pretty light.  I will soda blast and repaint them in a colour that compliments the planned paint colour scheme, but at this stage, there's no reason unless I stumble on a set that blows me away.

huh?  what?  from where?!?!?!  [popcorn]

Part One of my headlight upgrade. (Last 4 pics)

I am still to receive the 2 'low' beam spots.

the High beam is an E marked  (non-lethal) 9 LED unit and the low 'Spread Beam' are OEM Vision X 10w units (without the markings).

I almost went for the 18 LED unit for the high beam, but it was just overkill, and twice the price. If I don't like the 9 I'll change it later.

I thought the reflectors pattern looked good when switched off also.

Not the same as the Speaker retrofit, but it was a couple of hundred cheaper.

Flickr - MS4 mod history. (http://flickr.com/gp/zipzamzerpople/pJ2cR0)

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=54892.msg1019269#msg1019269 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=54892.msg1019269#msg1019269)

Last night I took the bike for a test run, to see if the initial installation was accurate and sufficiently Luminescent.

I'm happy to report, that the high beam is adequate  8) , and the spread beam low's are okay-ish on their own. Bearing in mind I am still yet to fit the low 'spot' beams, to correct the low beam light output to approx 40W, which will be double current output and closer to the correct beam pattern.

The only Issue encountered last night was that 20W total of spread beam  is not sufficient to produce the correct scatter in well lit urban environments. the Spread-beam is effectively a 10W parking globe, mounted lower (where the horns mount), so they do not throw a spectacular distance.

However, when driving on an unlit road, the spread beams were sufficient to ride at 60km/h without any issue. Obviously though, there was cause to use the high beam in that situation, and the high beam alone was simply kickarse.

I did not take my phone or a camera with me, however I'll take some pictures later in the week, once I have fitted the spot beams for the low circuit.

Bit of a break between updates.

The original setup was not satisfactory to my requirements, so I reworked the front setup somewhat, added the spots to the spread beams and rewired the lot.

Here's a link to the setup as current.

S4 Monster LED's (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zipzamzerpople/sets/72157632464361299//show/)


Still some minor tweaking to do.

Can't see any pictures...

hmm, should have worked. I did check it.  try this in case: S4 monster LED's (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zipzamzerpople/sets/72157632464361299/)

EDIT:  click on the link in the signature.

   "Sign in to Yahoo"

It's a guest pass, so shouldn't have to sign in…

Ahh  the fun & games began again.  replaced my fuel filter last night, after some hot stalling issues late yesterday coming home from the ride.

no big deal, as I had ripped the pump out only a few weeks ago, but it was a sunday back then so I couldn't get a filter. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I cut open the old one this morning, and pulled apart the corrugated filter paper, to have a look.

LOADS of fine metallic dust and black dusty sludge.  No wonder the bike had stalling issues.

New genuine filter (knecht KL145) and 5 minutes later. kapow. runs like a locomotive.

Now, the real question is do I start looking at microtech fuel injection computer and 50mm primaries, or do I consult my engine builder for a set of 955 barrels and pistons?

or do I do the spray-job?  sh** this is getting out of hand.

Can't seem to see your pics.

Even when I do sign in, message prompted states "private."

Sounds like a good project nonetheless.  [thumbsup]

I have a S4 myself, same model year. I've had her for nearly 7 years now. She's been moderately modded, all cosmetic. Haven't felt a need to improve on the power.

I have the cycle cat top triple with above the triple clipons from speedy moto.

Som other odds and ends include a single sided swingarm conversion.

(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3576/3639813417_aa22c48877.jpg)

I'll try to find some updated photos of the cockpit, showing clipons and top triple.

As Monsta mentioned, I would look into the IMA triples. They're quite tasty in the adjustable format (top and bottom).   [bacon]

Today was service day again. and found a few tiny flakes of shiny metal….  [roll] :o  [thumbsdown]  So looks like the rockers will be coming out for some refacing and hardening.
Guess I might as well tear down the engine... :-\  wasn't planning to though. [coffee]

Anyway I thought I better update the thread with the other mods- since the last 'real' update I've been busy doing a few things.

1. new Metzeler Racetec K3's
2. Had forks and rear damper completely overhauled, racetech gold valves in forks plus some custom work, rebound separation valve in rear damper plus custom valving, eibach springs by Shock Treatment.
3. Renthal Fatbar to replace the aero flat bar. The renthal is about an inch higher, and red.
4. Rizoma CT027 Brake and CT017 Clutch mater reservoirs
5. Rizoma  MA502 bar ends

I'm having trouble locating a good set of headlight brackets for the 50mm forks. Anyone know of a decent manufacturer?

Next on the list is Ducabike clutch basket and sintered bronze clutch, silicone hose kit, and some sort of rearsets, but the problem with the latter is I just can't make up my mind what rearsets.

I'd also like another tank, and rear cowl, so I can get cracking on the sprayjob.

Sintered bronze clutches are not very friendly for street duty.

LSL makes some nice clamps for forks:
 http://www.spieglerusa.com/lsl-headlight-brackets-3292.htm (http://www.spieglerusa.com/lsl-headlight-brackets-3292.htm)
You don't have to get the triangular brackets.

So I'm trying to get some info on the cyclecat rearsets, but I'm not getting a response from them. I guess they must be super busy.

Does anyone here have a set on their S4, and does anyone have a pic of the cyclecat low exhaust hanger for the S4?

I don't want to buy the rizoma ones because everyone has them.

Well after the throttle cable issue In this thread (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=62085.0)  I'm off interstate for a few days for work. I hope the weather is better when I get back.

Have been doing a fair bit of research on Throttle cams etc and the consensus is that it is a 50% roughly agree it's worth it. The other half disagree for various reasons, cost being the most prevalent.

But this got me thinking… When people buy bar / riser kits etc and the cables need lengthening and assuming they dont come with the bars / risers, what other throttle grips are people using on their bikes?

I obviously am referring to the F.I. monsters / others here, as they have a single cable.  I loved my old thomaselli throttle on my 82 900ss bevel, but obviously cant use one on the monster.

Are there any alloy throttle grips (similar to the dirtbike quick action throttle grips) available for Ducati? or something a little more generic that will fit a 22mm bar?

I'd like a nice billet throttle grip, instead of the black painted factory part - if they were well made.

Had some minor success yesterday.

Was messing around with the throttle again and decided to buy some new Rizoma grips to match the bar ends / fluid reservoirs.

also chopped about 10mm of the bar ends just to tighten everything up a little.

I also picked up a brand new DP ECU for an 02 S4.
AND got a brand new set of 50mm DP Termi headers.

It was a lucky find.

This will go well with the open airbox / K&N and the staintunes (without dB killers)

Last night the yummy bits arrived.  Linkage =>Flickr - Ducati Performace ECU & 50mm Headers (http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEqgmtN)

Unfortunately I am in the middle of rebuilding my ECM espresso machine, so the fitment of these might have to wait a little while.

Form an s4 owner

steering damper not needed imho

rearsets , personal preference at a cost which i would like with high mount pipes

clip on's , i have tomaselli on mine and find them too low and am going to go back to stock

triple clamps , visual personal preference

seat , i dont particularly like the seat , again personal preference  , corbin or seargent

water pump housing , personal preference

mirrors , yeh mickey mouse mirrors suck

quick shifter , not needed imho

carbon fibre , i like the rad covers on mine

tank , i would change tank to different shape with larger capacity , price ??

re-spray your carbon bits in automotive clear and see the difference, amazing.

Yes, I have planned to do this, although I will probably buy a new front fender

something a little newer, although I like the shape of the existing one and it protects the back of the fork stanchions well.

but first things first… rearsets & a sprayjob I think are next on the budget list.

Got the 50mm pipes on this afternoon. 

Knowing the low mount staintunes would not fit without a short adapter, I decided to be an obnoxious prick and go for a short ride to  hear the LOUD sound and to get the pipes bedded in.

Sounded OK, but I'll be fitting the staintunes back on until I can find a set of shorty  reverse cone  cans or maybe some danmoto pipes, but the high mount exhaust is what I call 'a little ugly'

so I'll have to be creative, until then, the staintunes will go back on.

well f*k me, the damn staintunes did not go back on as planned.

problem? well yes.
The standard manifold, exits at a different point and a completely different angle on the bike, on both sides. However it is far more prevalent on the left hand side of the bike where the offset is nearly a full 2" from the horizontal and about 1 ½" from vertical. (muffler is further out and lower).

So, what to do???   well I went down to my exhaust guy, who happens to have a mandrel bender, but he didn't have the 2" die in the machine. changing that out is a real PITA, and takes about 2 hours, so we looked for some mandrel offcuts in the bin, to see how we would fare, getting the correct angles etc.

after about an hour of mucking around we found some 459 mandrel bends but nothing that was a perfect fit. SO… looks like a custom mandrel bend in 2" s/s and chop the existing front off the staintune right at the muffler, and weld a whole new inlet pipe to it.  No big deal, but it's just not my day.

anyway, the race kit ECU is in and the header pipes are fitted, and for shits n giggles I put the dB killers from the staintunes in the end of the headers, just to quieten things down a little, and went for a ride.

it's stupid loud, sounds bloody awful at anything below 5krpm, but howls and makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up between 7500 & 10Krpm. Awesome stupid fun.

So much so, that I even considered getting some of those Danmoto XG-1 slashcuts, just to be a real noisy wanker.  The sound is so addictive.

Here are a couple of pics:

50mm header (http://flic.kr/p/ea23t5)
Header difference (http://flic.kr/p/ea23fy)

Pics not showing

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEqgmtN (http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEqgmtN)

that's the whole set. It's publicly viewable.

Well, it's over for this one.
Last weekend I succumbed to a combination of 'new' tyre edge + excessive lean angle, exiting an off-camber corner not too far from home.
No blame to lay, I just got caught out and couldn't save it. Worst part is I really thought it was properly scrubbed in. (week old tyre)
result = wrecked bike + broken bones.  Not a result i'm happy with, but at least the last week in hospital has seen an improvement in condition,  though recovery is slower than I anticipated, I'm pushing pretty hard to get back on deck.

Plenty of replacement metal, pins screws & plates as a personal tribute to Barry Sheene.

Just shows that even though you may be riding sensibly, sometimes luck can swing the wrong way and little accidents can have big consequences.

Bummed about the bike.  I'm already looking for another one.

Glad to hear you're on the mend. Always sucks to hear of an S4 and rider going down. Were you able to salvage any parts or are you planning on starting afresh?

I hope you get well, but it will take some time  [thumbsup]

 Major bummer, heal fast!

Sorry to hear...to a quick and complete recovery [beer]