Ducati Monster Forum

Okay so it's not a new bike. I crashed it in June, and have spent the last couple of months fixing, cleaning, and modding. I now have my own, completely custom 1998 M900 and I absolutely love it.

I really wish I would have been better at taking pictures of the progress, so that I could write up a complete build thread. There wasn't a whole lot of advanced things goings on, but I did enough to be interesting to the beginner DIYer. The only thing I DIDN'T do on this was repair the gas tank (Ducpainter did that), everything else I did in my own garage. The paint job finish didn't turn out like I wanted, which is a direct result of inexperience, but oh well, it's mine!

The bike used to be yellow with the gold frame, now it's not. Other mods include Danmoto exhaust, Nissin master cylinders, Acewell gauge, and Renthal handlebars.

I finally got to go on a couple rides this weekend and it felt so good to be back on the road, riding season is back!

Here's a before picture:

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/41E5417A-6A5E-46D4-8A7A-26B8E915D5C3-5526-0000031DDD1B08B4_zpsd8963853.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/41E5417A-6A5E-46D4-8A7A-26B8E915D5C3-5526-0000031DDD1B08B4_zpsd8963853.jpg.html)

And here's how she sits now:

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/94F08862-16C6-497C-A3BB-93B0BE7A9EC3-1020-000000F1743D37D6_zpsbaca71d5.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/94F08862-16C6-497C-A3BB-93B0BE7A9EC3-1020-000000F1743D37D6_zpsbaca71d5.jpg.html)

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/CB87464A-856A-4A75-9CD9-85352863AF8A-1020-000000EA6D56A08A_zpsc6dbbe2e.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/CB87464A-856A-4A75-9CD9-85352863AF8A-1020-000000EA6D56A08A_zpsc6dbbe2e.jpg.html)

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/D216DC3B-752F-4FFB-BC1C-3879112F982E-1020-000000F18578C398_zps68dd2ac7.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/D216DC3B-752F-4FFB-BC1C-3879112F982E-1020-000000F18578C398_zps68dd2ac7.jpg.html)

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/E582C7DD-E34A-4E54-B922-169A4B24BD10-1020-000000EA744852E3_zps7e2968c6.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/E582C7DD-E34A-4E54-B922-169A4B24BD10-1020-000000EA744852E3_zps7e2968c6.jpg.html)

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/0A666E9E-F90E-4E95-86E1-032A02EE85C6-1020-000000EA7A389953_zpsaf28da96.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/0A666E9E-F90E-4E95-86E1-032A02EE85C6-1020-000000EA7A389953_zpsaf28da96.jpg.html)

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/2497AF11-4EB8-4F43-9B13-FD0B71810CFF-1020-000000EA7FC9F97A_zps55e9cca8.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/2497AF11-4EB8-4F43-9B13-FD0B71810CFF-1020-000000EA7FC9F97A_zps55e9cca8.jpg.html)

 [thumbsup]

Very nice change. Love the blue of the dash.

How do you like the DM conicals? I rock those and love em.

I like them so far too, much deeper growl than I had with the Staintune's. To each their own, I can imagine a lot of people not enjoying the increase in decibels, but I like it.

What's not to like? I think it looks fantastic! Not one you're going to run into anytime. Love the new exhaust as well as the gauge.

+1. I love it and am angry and bordering on violent jealous rage.

 [laugh]

It was supposed to be a completely matte finish, and it turned out more of a gloss orange peel to tell you the truth. It's hard to tell until you get up close and personal and it's completely uniform over the entire bike so it doesn't look too bad, not blotchy or uneven or anything. But it's definitely not what I wanted.

Thanks for the compliments though guys!

Nice job.

Time to update your profile pic :)

For sure! I've got to get a picture of myself on it first.

Also, if anyone has criticisms and/or suggestions for future mods, I'm ALL ears!

Does your instrument cluster know when you are turning left or right or do both lights flash?    ???

I like the gauge though, will have to look that one up.

I'm not quite sure what that question means. The left arrow flashes when I have my left turn signal on, right arrow flashes when I have my right turn signal on...

my DP gauge cluster has only one (very hard to see) light that flashes when either signal is activated.

Ah, yeah it knows which is which, it's an Acewell 2853.

Are you running them with the baffles?  Bike looks great btw. [clap]

Bike looks great, nice work.  I'm in the market for a custom dash setup for my project bike, would you recommend that Acewell?

There also Moto Gadget. Super pricey but it's German made.

No baffles in the exhaust.

I like the Acewell, but I have three complaints. First, you really have to mount the speedo sensor super close to the magnet to get a good reading. Second, the magnet they give you isn't that great, I bought a flatter stronger one from the hardware store that works better. Third, the tach reading doesn't seem accurate, it's reading above 8 grand at cruising speeds for me, which can't be right.

Aside from that, I love the way it looks, two different trips are nice, the clock is great to have, and I like a digital speed readout.

Sure, they are probably the best but I'm not sure it's in the budget



Thanks for the FHE, not sure which direction I'll go at this point.

Love the looks of those pipes!

Check to see if the tach can be adjusted for the number of firing pulses/stroke. Your 900 fires twice so the tach is reading double. You also could tell it you have a different # of cylinders.

AH, you're right, I do remember a mystery setting in the menu hierarchy that I've been skipping past in my quest to dial in the speedo, I'll mess with that today. Thanks Ducpainter.

Not sure but with cars that have electronic tachs you have to clip wire loops or somehow set whether it is 4 cylinder, 6, 8 or whatever.  Perhaps there is some config to fix it?

Did you see the comments above?

All the people digging on that Acewell may wish to check this one out, it's what I went with. Chris, how was the installation of that thing? I haven't hooked mine up yet...

http://www.dan-moto.com/DM_INT/lcd-digital-speedometer-tachometer-product-137.html?zenid=kc3vc1cqekuev3f235dstpinm6 (http://www.dan-moto.com/DM_INT/lcd-digital-speedometer-tachometer-product-137.html?zenid=kc3vc1cqekuev3f235dstpinm6)

(http://www.dan-moto.com/DM_INT/bmz_cache/4/4e2bc4644fb3aeb3e58eb8a2a27355da.image.550x550.jpg)

Really liking what you did with your bike also, Chris  [thumbsup]

Install was pretty easy, but that said, I'm very comfortable with wiring diagrams and cutting/soldering wires... I know there are some people that aren't. The other thing is, I had to fabricate a small bracket to hold the magnetic speed sensor, there's no good place to mount it so that it's close enough to the magnet spinning around on your rotor. I can get a picture of that if someone is interested.

The Acewell wiring diagram was actually easier to follow than the Ducati one, so that was cool. What I really like about the Acewell wiring harness is that it comes with quick disconnects, so you don't have to completely hard wire it into the bike. I don't know why I would ever take it off, but I guess it's nice to know that I easily can.

Did you cut the Ducati ponytail (that big screw in plug) or did you find some kind of bullet connecters to fit into the pins? I'd like more details on that install please...I may or may not do mine this fall/winter

I just cut it off.

The Acewell kit comes with basically 6 or 7 inch wire leads with connectors at the end of them. Then probably 2 ft wires going into the gauge itself with the opposite connectors. I just cut off the OEM Ducati plug and followed the two wiring diagrams to match the correct colors to each other. I messed up a couple because the font on the Ducati diagram is tiny and I misread a couple.

I'll try to remember to take a picture of the bracket I made for the speed sensor mount sometime today.

Here's a picture that shows how I mounted the sensor. Short piece of steel that I cut, drilled, and bent. Next to it you can see the magnet, it looks a little weird because some epoxy seeped out the sides. Yes, I epoxied a magnet to steel. The one they give you is very tiny and underpowered. It flew off immediately. I purchased one the size of a dime and it too flew off at highway speed. So I took the same one and epoxied it on. Couple hundred miles now and we're good. You really do want the sensor mounted as close to the magnet as possible, also changing the engine revolutions per signal setting corrected my tach reading.

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/17AE57B8-CC83-4380-8CEA-81FB3069E9DD-2045-0000017B4B9B752B_zps6606c98e.jpg)

I liked it more in yellow  [roll]

    Dark and sinister  [evil]

To each their own! I didn't hate the yellow I guess, but it wasn't for me. I originally bought the bike for the bike that it is, not because of the colors. Even though it sucked crashing it, it's been very cool getting to make it into mine and only mine.

I think one of the biggest things that turned me off before were the silver wheels. Wheels, to me, need to be black or red on Ducati's.

Well, at least u still have a yellow spring.   [cheeky]


Nice job on the bike.  [thumbsup]

And great looking boat too!! [bacon]

That's a great looking bike. What brand exhaust do you have on it?

Danmoto Conical GP. They're just inexpensive slip-ons. I've been vary happy with them though. Would take them over the Staintune's I used to have any day.

Nice dash...I have the same one on mine.   ;D

Installed SS braided brake and clutch lines over the weekend. They were actually from a GT1000 but fit just fine, and I was able to get them for a great price.

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/2C92768E-0D11-41D1-894D-86CADC020B5D_zpsef15e1z0.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/2C92768E-0D11-41D1-894D-86CADC020B5D_zpsef15e1z0.jpg.html)

I love the added feel I gained from getting rid of the OEM rubber lines.

Also, I changed the title of the thread, I figure as I change things I'll just put them in here so I have it all in one place.

Nice touch. Have you considered replacing the plastic pee cups? for a murdered out bike like yours I'd turn to China for something like that, such as this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Motorcycle-Master-Cylinder-Fluid-oil-reservoir-front-brake-clutch-Tank-/151177891689?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ADucati (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Motorcycle-Master-Cylinder-Fluid-oil-reservoir-front-brake-clutch-Tank-/151177891689?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ADucati)|Model%3AMonster&hash=item2332e78f69&vxp=mtr

In black of course. Or you could just replace the caps, cheaper and possibly even better looking.

I'd really like to get some reservoirs from the Streetfighter/some Multistrada's/ some Hypermotards - the triangular shaped ones.

For whatever reason I think those look real nice: http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/0/i/-/-/Ducati_Streetfighter_S_cockpit.jpg (http://0.tqn.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/0/i/-/-/Ducati_Streetfighter_S_cockpit.jpg)

Either way, I agree, I need to do something other than the cups I have.

Hrrm, yer right those do have a certain charm. I bet there are lots of them collecting dust in ppl's garages after doing a Rizoma or similar type reservoir upgrade. You might want to post in the Ducati.ms want ads.

I've been lurking ducati.ms, one time a pair of the cups popped up for sale for $20 and someone else beat me to them by 10 minutes. You're right though, I might just do a want ad.

I've also wondered if maybe the triangular cups, painted black, with a stripe left clear would look good...

This week I've been working on taking out the flywheel to have it lightened. Lucky for me I know a guy local that is a retired machinist, bored, and works for Busch Light. He was able to throw it in his lathe and turn it down for me in some areas. Below are some before and after pictures. We only took off 1.2 lbs, I was kind of hoping to get it down into the 2~ lb range, so if any of you with experience in this have any suggestions for where to take some extra weight, I'm all ears.

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/037A9B03-F8CF-45E0-92D1-2FF8D9E01936_zpsh6hkyepm.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/037A9B03-F8CF-45E0-92D1-2FF8D9E01936_zpsh6hkyepm.jpg.html)

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/B4572DE8-B016-498F-8CCB-F1AC27EFF5E9_zpsnlkokd7p.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/B4572DE8-B016-498F-8CCB-F1AC27EFF5E9_zpsnlkokd7p.jpg.html)

(http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/3960/sanstitrecopiert.jpg)

Here is the plan I used to machine the flywheel of the alternator 3 wire, you still have a margin for road use, you can go down to 1.8 kgs after you have any problem in ralance output curve.

Your balance is in kg or lb?

Thank you! In pounds

So how many ounces of Busch Light per pound does he charge?  [laugh]

Ha! I'm going back tomorrow to have him shave some more off so I'll make that calculation after.

Now that I look at this, how does this work? From what I'm seeing, you're taking off the outer-most diameter. Seems like that would screw up your timing lump?

Did the final work on the flywheel last night, got it down to 2.65 lbs. So, BuckNaked, if I'm doing my math right, that comes out to 194.59 ounces per pound of machining.... or 17 cans.  ;D

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/20C0305D-7688-466E-9BD3-6E2D9D46380B_zpst7o4qahw.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/20C0305D-7688-466E-9BD3-6E2D9D46380B_zpst7o4qahw.jpg.html)

I hope you didn't really buy him a case and remove 7 cans, cheapazz!  ;) Nice, very nice.

Lol no, I bought him a 30 pack, which makes it work out to the 17 cans per pound machined off.

How much did the stock flywheel weigh? This is on my list. Chris, I sent you a PM about an inj. 750ss 4/ 2000 alt cover I have if u want/  need it and it can work.

My baby: 1998 too!   
(http://i40.tinypic.com/x1gawg.jpg)

The stock flywheel weighed 4.5 lbs, took it down to 2.65 lbs.

The mailman made me quite happy yesterday  ;D

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/7518B332-3435-4B35-92B6-0C54CC96AF3E_zpsj9xhww4y.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/7518B332-3435-4B35-92B6-0C54CC96AF3E_zpsj9xhww4y.jpg.html)

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/53B01311-CF8A-456A-A197-1EF1075FA314_zpsc56sj4aw.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/53B01311-CF8A-456A-A197-1EF1075FA314_zpsc56sj4aw.jpg.html)

Brand new FCR 41's from Ca-Cycleworks. They're just as beautiful as I thought they would be.

As far as installation goes, it was mostly fine. I think for $900+ there are three things that should be included in the kit you receive:

1) New rubber flanges for the air box. The OEM ones are a pain to stretch over the FCR's, AND I had to go to the hardware store to buy longer bolts to allow the clamps to reach all the way around the carb opening.
2) A ball-end 5mm allen key. In the instructions they say you need one. I have non-ball type keys and really didn't feel like buying the ball-end just for the four small bolts you have to use it on. So I ended up grinding one of mine down and doing it that way. Motion Pro includes a hex key in their throttle tube kit. Cycleworks should either include a small, cheap key, or just install the spigots while they're jetting the carbs.
3) Better instructions with some pictures and/or a better drawing than the one that's included. The instructions in the kit did include all the steps necessary for the install, but just weren't that great. For $900+, when you're telling me I need to cut out the vertical support in the air box, I'd like a picture highlighting exactly what I should be cutting out.

Beside that, everything else was positive. The only thing that really sucks is that I CAN'T RIDE RIGHT NOW! It's 12 degrees outside today and the whole left side of my motor is torn apart.  [bang]

My workspace looks a bit crazy right now:

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/4F2CA783-873D-4F69-B106-F11BC3208BA6_zpsgazbusa5.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/4F2CA783-873D-4F69-B106-F11BC3208BA6_zpsgazbusa5.jpg.html)

I know you know this...but, you're doing this right. [drool]

I'd like to do all these upgrades eventually, and I'll be using this thread to note the details on going about it. I can't wait until you can report on how she feels the first time you get to go out.

Keep it up, the ramen is worth it!

Thanks Dellikose!

I wish I could remember to take more detailed photos of the "during" process, I just get too caught up in the moment and forget.

There's really only three things left on my list that I can think I'd like done to this thing: Newer suspension setup, custom headlight, and lighter wheels. It will probably be quite a while for those though.

God it sucks not having a garage...and now it's tax season and my busy time for work. It's gonna be riding season before I even have my ride torn down.  [bang]

Thanks to a generous forum member, I got a great deal on a replacement alternator cover, so I didn't have to worry about that cracked lip anymore. The one that I got didn't match the color of my stock covers so I decided to paint them with VHT engine paint. Turned out pretty good, although I wish it was more on the matte end of the spectrum. I'm hoping they dull down over time. Regardless, I plan on painting the entire motor next off-season. Just trying to get it ready to ride now.

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/996450DF-4BB2-42F8-8444-303AC09E8FC1_zpstpd1qipd.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/996450DF-4BB2-42F8-8444-303AC09E8FC1_zpstpd1qipd.jpg.html)

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/85A35661-7F99-4472-B836-B9132F7DF77F_zpspahofy3w.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/85A35661-7F99-4472-B836-B9132F7DF77F_zpspahofy3w.jpg.html)

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/42DCED01-275B-483F-B312-37AA3F2AA00F_zpskuj3by5k.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/42DCED01-275B-483F-B312-37AA3F2AA00F_zpskuj3by5k.jpg.html)

Mr. Regan is overseeing your work I see :)

 [laugh]

Haha yeah, gift from a college friend. I grew up in/ live in the same hometown as Ron.

BuckNaked, I followed your advice and turned to China for different-look reservoirs, and ended up waiting about two weeks to get them in the mail. They finally showed up and I pulled one out of it's styrofoam wrapping and got it installed, everything was looking awesome, fairly happy for something coming from China. Then I go to unwrap the second and install it......... wrong color. Booooooooo.

Sent a message via ebay and no response yet... ebay says I should wait three business days before contacting them so that's what I'm going to do. Is all this BS worth the super low price?..... the jury is still out. Here's some pictures:

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/1A1AA611-87C2-4421-AF76-BCB6EE0BC474_zpsqv3txjne.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/1A1AA611-87C2-4421-AF76-BCB6EE0BC474_zpsqv3txjne.jpg.html)

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/1D2970E4-8827-4A11-B70F-EA405D69199A_zpss9sgtd1o.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/1D2970E4-8827-4A11-B70F-EA405D69199A_zpss9sgtd1o.jpg.html)

Since I'll likely have quite a while to wait for the new one, I decided my winter modding wasn't quite done, so I busted out the lift I made. Triple trees came off and are going to get painted tonight.

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/08B94029-C31D-49AD-B752-99940A3BC876_zpsx4uc8v26.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/08B94029-C31D-49AD-B752-99940A3BC876_zpsx4uc8v26.jpg.html)

Hey Chris, I see that you have a Virago project. Got a thread somewhere showing its progress?

Honestly the Virago project has been on hold ever since I crashed the Duc back in June. The plan was to keep the Monster the way it was, and spend my time and money on the Virago. Then when I crashed, I needed to spend all my time and money rebuilding, and once I did that, I've been hooked on getting it just the way I want it. So the Virago has taken a backseat. Two days before I left on the trip where I crashed, I pounded out the seat pan for the Virago, and that's how it's been sitting ever since.

Right now, it has a 2002 R1 front end on it, with a custom subframe and seat pan.

Just looked through my photo bucket album and don't have any very good pictures of it, none with the seat pan, this is the best I can do right now. Eventually the last 6 inches or so of subframe will be cut off, I just need to get around to designing the rear cowl first.

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/29BF4AF8-B30D-4851-8B0C-B79FE7DA8FCB_zpsf5gpafs7.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/29BF4AF8-B30D-4851-8B0C-B79FE7DA8FCB_zpsf5gpafs7.jpg.html)

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/7FD0CE66-7B63-444C-A97C-849A17FA911E_zps8wfoqdsq.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/7FD0CE66-7B63-444C-A97C-849A17FA911E_zps8wfoqdsq.jpg.html)

Hey Chris

Saw this when you posted it but I've been on the road. Sorry to hear about that but I don't think I ever endorsed that specific product? In any case, other than the color mix up the quality and value look good based on those pics! What did you pay for them?

Can't wait to resume my build thread...I've been hoarding parts and Aviz from this board has my engine torn apart :D

I wasn't saying you endorsed those, just referencing that I ended up turning to China as you suggested in some earlier posts.

Not blaming you lol, I unfortunately turn to China for quite a few things  [bang]

And yeah, the quality is actually pretty good, I'm VERY happy with the black one.... now they just need to send me the right one. They only cost ~$25 for both of them.

Painted the triple trees and handlebar riser/clamp satin black:

(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz345/chriskuecker/43222455-9B59-4165-A178-A987902C1172_zpsfgpdmkjq.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/chriskuecker/media/43222455-9B59-4165-A178-A987902C1172_zpsfgpdmkjq.jpg.html)

Seeing that Dan Moto speedo helps me decide if I wanna mount mine or not. It's prob gonna go on my wife's 750 when I get around to building it tho. Or just remain in my box of new but never used parts along with the multiple clutch covers I bought, lol

Virago looks really good so far..

BuckNaked if you decide you don't want that speedo I might be interested in taking it off your hands for my virago project, whenever I get that going again.

Pretty sure I don't want or need it. If you get around to it, make a list of stuff you have available to trade. As soon as I move into my new crib next month I'm going to be building my 944 plus a 750 for my wife with my extra engine, frame, and other parts.