Ducati Monster Forum

So ive just reached a point where i needed to create a new post for the recent changes.  I bought the Woodcraft solid tank cover replacement and modified it to my liking.  What i decided to do is remove the center rise and go with a dark charcoal gray metallic.  It took about 12 hours with many bitburger stubbies and many long nights. So here are the pictures i took along the way.
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/540592_10151327409227109_1718519524_n.jpg?oh=ae57e4c3edd8566d399f3f937c8c153f&oe=56010128)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/540592_10151327409232109_1632333597_n.jpg?oh=6856fde58ab1f0a90997a29c13ec3f8e&oe=55D0048D)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/v/t1.0-9/540592_10151327409242109_212818533_n.jpg?oh=e8c8b6a1d4f57fa1d45085f49359abab&oe=55BEBF02&__gda__=1443512488_6b1f6cdb85de5d022dcebb08c2b655f3)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/540109_10151327432217109_327861497_n.jpg?oh=033d04ec5564d3b3fd3f2023701ff70f&oe=55BFDFE2)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/540109_10151327432222109_773728963_n.jpg?oh=2371dd14ed7c01984ec5aa3ca74d936d&oe=55CCB057)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/540109_10151327432227109_1523693019_n.jpg?oh=f303bb54b4d49305792699088765d9a5&oe=55BEB9EE)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/420642_10151329651312109_1711509964_n.jpg?oh=b77d4a8b47fc5497967e53109e67b57b&oe=56033E3E)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/318763_10151329652842109_1946193889_n.jpg?oh=46a4a045cf3a93296ad6a12470a2d6c7&oe=5600F3A0)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/420612_10151329662327109_2079824330_n.jpg?oh=4b67c65dcc1b348b914b4a3ceb728fc2&oe=55C272C5)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/536964_10151329663052109_455629184_n.jpg?oh=d6a9bc8f3d719cc0d784fd127a1332a5&oe=55C43BB2)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/315540_10151329663747109_665465438_n.jpg?oh=789df72d97e4cbe92c765a9c61d8907b&oe=560A51EA)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/315685_10151329664517109_665373246_n.jpg?oh=839ee173321f471cc19afd1dcea8513b&oe=55D07794)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/62788_10151329665647109_1724615574_n.jpg?oh=6b03c32b16110d6fccb0f142f664d164&oe=5600133B&__gda__=1442854111_36b7a2fda7320796ea070eeaeb060746)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/524834_10151333755227109_1372174478_n.jpg?oh=d0ff48652ffa7755f8bc068929bbdf2a&oe=56097287)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/931199_10151333756137109_444865354_n.jpg?oh=1d07ceec7cb43285f05c11994ee58b76&oe=55D204B4)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/934722_10151333758022109_1476515559_n.jpg?oh=a14cacc6fb842a0af7edd6e36176a443&oe=5608BA9D&__gda__=1443333063_41c913239f750128d6f027bd25d55fb8)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/l/t1.0-9/528301_10151337814027109_914173076_n.jpg?oh=4db1deac4ac1888ac7cd368cd496a5fe&oe=56098E30)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/l/t1.0-9/408607_10151337814477109_1299529755_n.jpg?oh=49a2586051e42c61f6da76f86b94166b&oe=56006677)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/395591_10151337816077109_870324037_n.jpg?oh=b3a6abaeff0fbc4b3f9b3c2719e18a8e&oe=56037D8D)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/r180/391039_10151337818362109_1322053557_n.jpg?oh=bb4c93b8d3d3c96fa282dcf12c413c73&oe=5609696D)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/32361_10151337935237109_529161493_n.jpg?oh=d285bda5061d3f6fd24cbc956923c970&oe=55CE6B3B)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/v/t1.0-9/537979_10151337935477109_854582938_n.jpg?oh=c7dc745cc92d536e9fcbc09c69be37a9&oe=55C21441)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/934056_10151337935692109_1011830598_n.jpg?oh=ab9946097df5dc01dfa0e655907e94bc&oe=56048EF6)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/935578_10151337935877109_1136217880_n.jpg?oh=4a701ac68b009bd5d39f4a91eb69e5b1&oe=55C160C8)

That is a subtle but huge change.  You did a nice job on that!   [thumbsup]

 That is just freekin' gorgeous! Beeyoutiful job!

Nice and the Maserati too

I really like that one piece replacement cover and I especially like what you've done with yours  [thumbsup].

Awesome job  [clap] [clap]








And is that a Kaiserslautern nummernschild I see there?

Fantastico!!!

 8)

Yeah i always thought the old monster tanks looked better so i wanted to bring back that taste.  Mainly the lack of center rise and bolts holding it all down.  Thanks for all the compliments!  Better pics might show up this weekend depending on how busy i get.

Beautiful job Anchorism!  Are you going to paint the tail cowl and fender to match? 

Not sure if this bugs anyone else but when I mount my 1100 those tank pieces make plastic creaking noises...sounds very cheap and screams "cost-cutting going on here!".  Does this 1 piece eliminate that racket?

At the moment my thoughts on the front cowl are to leave it black.  As for the tail cover, i am planning on getting another one, modifying it to the same fashion and color matching.  Ill probably even put a number plate on it. 

Nice work.  Your mod looks much better than Ducati's original styling of that tank....and the paint is stunning!

Thanks!  Im waiting for the weather to clear up to get some better photos.  Plus Raux and i were talking about making a carbon fiber version of the same setup in the future maybe....

What do you guys think, stripe or no stripe....??

 No stripe!!

Yeah thats one of my friends many awesome cars....
Sorry i was quickly replying to some of these and missed your racket question.  Yes there is NO noises thus far.  It seemed as though the gas cap area wouldve been questionable but now with the paint it fits just right.

that is absolutely gorgeous.  great work. 

looks like a Gran Turismo edition . . . would have ventured to even say a Stradale model, but, not sure if they made it to the US

Ha ha!! But im not in the us!  lol.  Well yet...  Im stationed in Germany and he is my landlords son.  Its a Gran Turismo edition.  The one designed by pininforina. 

i didn't know where you were . . .need to add this mod to signature

Which mod are you talking about?  Just my location?  

UPDATE!! The weather was nice enough to take the bike out so i got some more photos.\

(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/58176_10151341616722109_1680023159_n.jpg?oh=2ac7a8285aa5b46b449311d14078ad6f&oe=56015310)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/v/t1.0-9/480339_10151341616852109_1098434297_n.jpg?oh=8ffe38a10a6ff929300347037c04025b&oe=55D3810D)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/47973_10151341618597109_1969020576_n.jpg?oh=accf497cd3605bd2c3a0765452ed2c68&oe=55D3885A)
(https://scontent-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/v/t1.0-9/480335_10151341784442109_1153357725_n.jpg?oh=f0eba9716a9621ef2f00411336150e2d&oe=55CAD079)

I think i want this tank cover
the single piece smoothed out like that is awesome

 Awesome   [thumbsup]

 Beautiful choice of color!

 I wanted to paint a set of tank covers for my bike in the 07' s4rT colors with the racing stripe down the center, your design might be the better way to achieve the paint job I want.

Woodcraft tank cover to  >  2011 Ducati Monster 796
        Danmoto Conicals, Tall boy clip ons, Rizoma grips and mirrors, Oberon bar end signals, Comp werkz tail tuck, Integrated turn signal LED tail light, Rollei HD camera mount, 2 12 volt outlets, Minor LED accent lighting, custom lowered guage, heat wrapped exhaust, S4R Wheels, Currently 7600 miles.

It was more of a touche kind of HA HA! lol.  And it is now added, thanks for pointing that out.  Decided to go with no stripes.  Its perfect as is.

 
Id be more than happy to help you complete the task. Just let me know...

If you decide to make a carbon tank piece without the stripe, I'll be down to buy one.

what happened to the pics in this thread?

+1 to fix the pictures please.  I want to see your bike!

What did you use to sand down the centre strip and was it hard to do?  If it is made of fibreglass I'm guessing you need to be very careful about the dust coming off - that stuff can reek havoc on your lungs.

Ok, i FINALLY got to fix the photos in this thread.  Also im adding these as they are the most recent pics.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5325/16814259193_b1c4d0366f_z.jpg)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7721/16812009404_8174a406be_z.jpg)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8741/17182855779_f203d1e998_k.jpg)

Great job. Did you sand the central strip down, or fill in around it? Is the material thick enough to sand it down level with the rest of the tank?  It looks like that strip is recessed when you look inside the piece.

Mine has been posted, so I now need to wait for it to part circumnavigate the globe.

Yeah it wasnt thick enough so mine is rather fragile in the center.  When i decide to do another one i will reinforce it in the recessed part somehow.  BTW... I ordered mine and it has to part circumnavigate the globe too... I was in germany at the time.  It still made it there fairly quick though!

So the reinforcement was only needed because you sanded it down?  If just painted it was sturdy?

Precisely.  I didn't reinforce mine and I sanded it down rather thin. 

Well, mine arrived yesterday.  It does take a bit of practice to get it on but feels secure once on.  I am very keen to lose the central strip, like you did.  If sanding it down makes it flimsy do you think I could get somebody to add an extra layer and fill up to match the strip height?  I will try a few painters and see what they say.

Armour bodies stuff is pretty thin, in a good way. Light, thin and flexible. Just picked up a set for my track bike to replace the tatty no-names fairing set and they are a marked improvement.

If you want to be rid of raised center - I'd suggest you build up to meet the height of the raised center - then do minimal shape and sand to get the contour. Trying to sand down the center to meet the outer sections will create too much weakness IMO.

Looks great without the strips :)

Jsut a thought, but I wonder whether Woodcraft could be 'persuaded' to change their mould, if there was enough interest, to do a batch without the raised strips? Basically a group-buy of a re-designed version, so to speak....

Here's my* solution (* well A1 Custom Fibreglass, on my behalf).  They fuilled in the whole top to bring it level with the petrol cap and remove the ridge.  Now to get to the painter.
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-9GbB6gg/0/L/IMG_0182-L.jpg)
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-MWMn8qZ/0/L/IMG_0183-L.jpg)
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-BNNwmk6/0/L/IMG_0184-L.jpg)

Cool..... looking forward to seeing the finished article  [thumbsup]

Me too!  Might be a few weeks though.

I tried it on my (very dirty) bike today:
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-FNK9Gtt/0/L/IMG_0185-L.jpg)
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-GNdbhXL/0/L/IMG_0186-L.jpg)
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-tMn8P9w/0/L/IMG_0187-L.jpg)
It is a bit of an effort to flex it over the tank, but once on is very secure.  There is a little bit of a gap between the cover and the seat:
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-M8qBk4B/0/M/IMG_0188-M.jpg)
.. but When I put the original back on it looked the same.  It was just more noticeable with the pale tank against black seat.  There is a small gap around the filler cap, but once painted that shouldn't be too noticeable:
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-TxKfMKQ/0/M/IMG_0189-M.jpg)

Looking good man!  I think its gonna turn out great!

Well, your bike was my inspiration.  I'm not sure when I will find time to get down to the painter, so don't hold your breath.

Here we go (lots of pics):
(https://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-TKBGzPJ/0/M/0V3A0006-M.jpg)
(https://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-jwzFhXB/0/M/0V3A0008-M.jpg)
(https://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-2dBPH86/0/M/0V3A0009-M.jpg)(https://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-BHzgLgR/0/M/0V3A0013-M.jpg)
(https://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-kDBvcBJ/0/M/0V3A0011-M.jpg)
(https://sconnor1.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Modifications/ArmourBodies-Tank/i-ZkgFFxG/0/M/0V3A0012-M.jpg)
It's a pit the seat sticking is not hidden under the cowl (it was being painted when I had the seat done), but I don't like the vinyl anyway so now have a good excuse to redo it.  I'm not sure about the 'Made in Italy' decal.  It wasn't part of my design but was added by the painter.  Otherwise, I am very pleased.

 It looks fantastic! Now you can do the seat in leather!

My thoughts exactly.  I actually had the seat redone a few weeks ago, as the original had a red stripe that continued down from the old seat cover and would have looked silly now the cover is repainted.  I'm not very happy with the choice of vinyl, as it is very slippery.  Now the seem is too far forward, I have even more motivation.  I am certainly trending towards leather.  I was thinking either a horizontal quilting or diamond quilting, on the main seat section.  What did you envisage?

Reaally nice.

wow... looks bloody fabulous  [thumbsup] [clap] [clap]

Cheers. I'm rather pleased with the result. I won't claim too much credit though, as all the work was done by others. Leather seat next. And then.....?

Well, the Director of the movie gets the credit, butt he doesn't do any acting, does he?

Wow man.  That thing turned out great!  I've thought about buying another to experiment a bit...

Thanks. Go for it. We both know the mods are never done!