Ducati Monster Forum

OK - I've done a couple small mods so far and was looking to get some input on what comes next.
Done:
- CRG lanesplitter/blindsight
- Speedymoto pressure plate & cover
- Homemade mini-tail chop (removed fender, put on a couple brackets to move plate back)
- Destickerification & antireflectorizing

A current pic:
(http://i36.tinypic.com/fvcoqr.jpg)

Here is where I could use some input:
- I hate the plastic tail & floppy plastic turn signals (F&R). I really don't want to cut the frame but I'd like a new tail (carbon?) and signals - any suggestions? FYI,  I will eventually go with a full termi system and don't like the look of a full chop with the long pipes...

- I want to take the passenger pegs off but I can't bust through the red loctite the factory thought was necessary to put on there. Tried a soldering iron to heat the bolt but no luck. Don't want to take a torch down there either - any suggestions?

- Carbon hugger for the rear.

- Other suggestions?

I don't have one, but i want one:
http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/ZU-C010EDM/Bodywork-Carbon/ZU-C010EDM.html

Short tail from carbonworld.de i believe. Monsterparts is out of stock i guess...

I like the short tail...found it @ shopducati.com for $341.99

http://www.shopducati.com/scs_search_results.htm?search=96949002B&imageField.x=41&imageField.y=12

...and it's in stock according to an email reply I just received!

Can't imagine enough torque and good hex wrench wouldn't turn those passenger peg bolts.

Check to make sure your licence plate won't hit your tire at full compression.

DP performance kit.

it really really really transforms the bike into a animal, its just loony

Congrats on a fantastic bike.  I think I'm finally done modding my Tricolore, and here are my recommendations:

Carbon rear hugger, carbon chain guards, carbon heel guards, carbon sprocket cover - just finished up what the factory left off here.

Shorty carbon tail from Monster Parts - basically the same as the DP part but for much less $$$.  I used the stock turnsignals, but DP (and others) offer smaller turnsignals that would look a bit tidier.  Personal preference here.

Destickerification & removal of reflectors from front forks.

Removed passenger pegs as soon as I got it home.  Get out a breaker bar and give it a good tug; the bolts will come out.

And the mod of all mods - full Termi kit from DP.  It comes with its own dedicated ECU which really makes the bike come alive and gets rid of the excessive Euro-3 leanness and resultant airbox popping and occasional flameouts.  The bike runs flawlessly with this setup; absolutely no complaints.  In back-to-back tests I decided to leave in the baffles because it gave me better low-end snap while keeping the sound within reason.  Again, personal preference here, but overall I think the full system is a must-do.  It looks fantastic, sounds great, and runs like it's meant to - like a scalded ape!  Since I didn't chop the tail but only added the shorty carbon bit, the exhaust doesn't stick out in a gangly fashion past the rear of the bike, which IMO keeps the look sharp.

While in the shop for the exhaust/ECU install the tech removed the ugly emissions canister too.  Looks much better.

What else?  Hmmm, let's see . . . Oh yeah, Speedymoto frame sliders.  Looks good and adds a bit of protection.  Hey, the radiator alone is $1600 so I'll take whatever protection I can get!

And now I've got over 2000 miles on it and the smiles never cease.  Damn fine bike!

thanks for the advice guys....i'll check the plate clearance tonight. Then bust out the breaker bar and try again.

As for the DP Termi kit - that is on the list but I've got to wait for the $$$.

BEST MOD POSSIBLE. PUT MY NAME ON THE TITLE.

There is a tool called an impact driver. Usually a 3/8" but can be found in 1/2". 3/8" is usually sufficient and you can use a step up adapter if needed for using 1/2" sockets etc. The tool accepts socket driven bits or sockets themselves. This coupled with the hex or socket you need and a hammer, and you are good to go...

Don 't do ANY cosmetic mods. Your bike is a cosmetic tour de force as delivered.  Ride the bike.

The ONLY cheap mod and the most effective is a 14 tooth front sprocket. 6th gear is useless otherwise.

The Termi "race" kit is a MUST do - not an option. It makes the bike what the designer/manufacturer meant it to be, rather than what DOT/EPA would allow. The bike is a relative "piece of shit" without it.

Look on the moto-one site. The baffles IN reduces torque in the most important (low part) of the power range.

If you plan to ride the bike hard at all a steering damper is very useful mod. I was a naysayer on this, but am a card carrying convert.

LA

There appears to be some type of weird contraption perched on your bars  ???

OK - I managed to beat the passenger peg bolts into submission so those are off now.

Unless someone wants to front me the $3k for the termi kit - it has to wait.

As for the 'weird contraption' on the bars - I took the bike on a road trip for a couple of days on some (way) back roads. It looks better than an empty tank of gas but YRMV.

I think you mean it's a Garmin Zumo

I'm not made of money either. :'(

Check around. I paid $2100 for my kit at the time of purchase and one hour shop time ($80) for install.

LA

It's like a wart on a model's ass  :P

The passenger pegs have blue loctite.. if there´s the red stuff on there, that´s just wrong. Both my Rs´s here passenger pegless and nothing more than a hand tool removed the bolts.

Congrats on the ride, like LA said.. 14T front sprocket, DP Termi kit and a damper if you´re that way inclined (i´m a masochist).

hey thanks for the brilliant input

my advice for you: stick to receiving input instead of giving it...cause i'm guessing that's right up ur alley  :P

Oh, it's red for sure. I got the shop manual from the site mentioned in a recent post here and once I got them off it was all over the threads.

This is from another board which refered to the loctite website:
Q: How can I remove a fastener that is "permanently" locked in?

A: The application of heat is needed to remove a fastener that can't be removed with a hand tool. Temperatures of 325F and above is needed to break down a standard anaerobic, 500F for high temperature Anaerobics. A heat gun or propane torch is commonly used to do this process, and careful disassembly should occur while parts are still hot. Once apart, and cooled, use methylene chloride (Chisel #79040) to remove cured excess material. Always wipe down the fasteners with clean up solvent to remove the wax film that Chisel leaves on the surface.

You posted up asking for input, if you can't take some straightforward aesthetic criticism without feeling the need to be insulting there is another forum at ducatimonster.org where you will fit right in.   [thumbsup]

 [roll] bullsh*t  [roll]
"It's like a wart on a model's ass" doesn't read to me as "straightforward aesthetic criticism"

besides, i put the little :P in my post just like you did - doesn't that make everything ok?

fair enough - we're ok.

+1 Red loktite on mine. Hard as nails...

gday
come on guys thread lock, nothing a 300mm breaker bar and hex head wont move
-remove pillion the pegs
-i am a fan of the DP full termi kit and ecu but it is up to personal preferances
-lightened flywheel [evil]
-DP slipper clutch
-remove rear chain guard
-install some rearsets of your choise these are an awesome mod heaps out there
-gaurds for your radiator and oil filter
-replace the indicators i used DP billet type but probably regret it a little they are over priced and i think the Rizoma LED indicators are great, i wouldnt go intergrated tail light because it can be hard to see during the day while braking and indicating at the same time
-lightened wheels
the list goes on and on it depends how much $$ you have and how far you are willing to go
these guys are full bottle when it comes to mods they do great things with their bikes, i dont have the patients or probaly the skills to pull them off i leave it up to the pros it cost me $$ but
it gets done
i have only used DP parts on my S4Rs they make great accessories but suck when it comes to the price the only other brand i will go is Rizoma
do what you want with it but take your time...do it once and do it right
punta [thumbsup]

Some Practical mods:

Rear Carbon Hugger ro protect that beautiful shock from road crud. Ducati Performance Gel seat if you are planning on doing loads of miles.

Some other mods perhaps... fairing stays to keep the cowl from flapping, higher handlebars, STM slipper clutch, rearsets to stop your feet slipping off the pegs when it is wet.

Could also go with the DP slipon muffler with Airfilter and ECU. Its less "invasive" than a full exhaust. (Expect reduced fuel range, down to less than 100 miles if you ride quick so I gave it a miss)

Alternatively spend any remaining cash on a set of leathers and loads of track days cause they are lots of fun.!

One thing about the pillion pegs, the right one does protect the exhaust somewhat if you drop the bike!

Before just jumping on everyone else's bandwagon as far as the 14t cs sprocket, ride it for a while and decide for yourself, especially if you end up doing the Termi kit.  I found that once the full system and ECU were installed the bike had much better power and was so much more rideable that I didn't feel the need to lower the gearing.  Of course that's just my .02, but it's our own individual tastes that dictate how our bikes turn out and how much we end up liking them.

I'd also +1 on not doing anything too dramatic cosmetically.  The Tricolore is so awesome (and possibly collectible) that I wouldn't mess with its looks too much.  Along that same line I felt that the Termi kit, as a genuine DP mod, more appropriately suited the collectibility of the bike in keeping it "Ducati."  But I'm propably just weird on that point.  Anyway, absolutely fantastic bike.  I wake up every morning looking forward to riding it to work.  Have fun and keep us posted on your Tricolore experience.