Ducati Monster Forum

so I have next week off, so I figured I'd try some small scale projects to pretty-up my bike.

so far I'd like to reroute the starter cable which I understand I need a 6 gugage 26" battery cable.  Anything tricky about this from those who've done it?

I'd like to also paint the headlight trim ring. that's easy enough with some rattle can.

I also want to remove some of the zip ties and hide some wires.  Anything I need to worry about watch out for on this item?

Lastly, I'd like to reroute the oil temp sensor wire so it's not hanging across the belt covers.  Is there any easy way to do this?


thanks in advance.
Andy

well I got rid of most of my zip ties, only two left on each side.  The only thing I couldn't really get done was the wires/harnesses that go under the right side panel.  I wanted to slip them through between the frame and shock linkage but couldn't get the plug parts through the gap and couldn't figure out how to dismantle the plugs.  Maybe next time.

After talking to some folks elsewhere the prep on the chrome ring sounded no fun, so I'm going to look at a better solution for that, maybe powdercoat it when I get my rearsets powdercoated (the paint is flaking on both).

Haven't tried to tackle the starter cable or the oil sensor.. I think the sensor might require splicing in more wire to make it longer.  I couldn't figure out how to easily get it off the belt covers and still reach the sensor.


Andy

Sounds good.  Where'd you run all the wiring after removing the ties?

on the left side, i ran everything through a loop on the head that was holding a hose from the airbox.

on the right side, i mostly just cleaned up some of the routing.  there's a set of wires that went under a cross piece in the frame, so i pushed it over that piece.  then a few pieces going back to the rear I just zip tied to other hoses and wires.

here, i took a couple pics while I was typing.

(http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1940/bikewires001yj5.th.jpg) (http://img148.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bikewires001yj5.jpg)(http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/2360/bikewires002ri8.th.jpg) (http://img386.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bikewires002ri8.jpg)

That looks pretty good there.  The black belt covers really stop the oil pressure wire and starter cable from showing.

lookin' good....
to de-chrome your headlight bezel, soak it in straight muriatic acid overnight or two....
that will remove the chrome to the point that you can sand the bezel down to prep for primer...
s'what i did on my flattracker ('71 triumph) handlebars, worked a charm....

Is there a more common solvent that would work...since I don't think many people have 'straight' hydrochloric acid laying around (at least I hope they don't!)

I painted my headlight bezel black.  It came out GREAT!

I didn't do anything fancy or anything; some medium-fine grit sandpaper to rough it up nice and good, then some cleaner to, um, clean it up.  Rattle-can a coat.  Let dry.  Repeat as necessary.

Here's a picture:

(https://lh5.ggpht.com/williatd/SHEqBilVwSI/AAAAAAAAAMI/hWWq2q41h8I/s800/PICT3804.JPG)

she is lookin good boss!   [thumbsup] 

if you don't want the hassle and mess of removing chrome  and painting you could always just buy a black one.

Can't remember which models but old BMWs are your feinds when it comes to bosch headlamp parts

MURIATIC acid, not hydrochloric....
best lay off the beers whils't reading....;)
you can find it in most any lowes/ home depot paint aisle w the various paint thinners and solvents...
you wanna try hydrochloric acid, call me....
i wanna come watch , see what happens. [evil] :P [laugh] [clap]

the "chrome" is so thin you can sand it of with sand paper, i dont know why you need to dip it in an acid. took less than 5 minutes to remove it by hand.

muriatic acid is hydrochloric acid.....muriatic is the 'common name' and hydrochloric is the technical name

If you aren't in a hurry. Then coke or any other carbonated cola drink will take the chrome off eventually.

Supermarkets own brands are better. You know the real cheap ones that taste like chicken.

Nice work now pm me and we'll ride Palomar Mtn. [thumbsup]

alright so I'm feeling pretty good about doing this in the next week.  I figure just pry off the connector, measure how much wire I need, splice it in with solder and shrink tube the connection, attach the connector to the end, then reroute and zip tie in place around the back of the engine cover.

Any suggestions on duplicating the covering that the factory uses?


Andy

so finally getting around to this.. yeah yeah, a little late.  But it's my last day of vacation for a while.

Went to the auto parts store because I needed to do an oil change anyway, started looking at the wires they had.
Didn't find a  6 gauge 26" starter cable, but i did find a 4 gauge 25"...  I want to try it, but don't want to get it home to find it won't work.  I'll admit I don't know a lot (if anything) about wire gauge and electrics.. any concerns going with the 4g opposed to a 6g?  Anyone know for sure if it HAS to be 26" to reach or will 25" be OK?

thanks
time to change oil.
Andy



Also, any ideas on this old question?

so anyway.
I figured out splicing in some more wire for the oil temp pickup.  Total cost, $5.

But I couldn't find a starter cable in the right length with the right connector ends.  The only ones I could find in the right length had larger connectors than would work.

I wasn't up to buying a over-long 4g and splicing in the 1/4" connectors.  Maybe eventually but not right now.

the search continues.

You might want to call these folks:

http://www.powerletproducts.com/shop-by-vehicle/1/179/product/ducati-starter-rewire-kit-st2st4st4s-916/295 (http://www.powerletproducts.com/shop-by-vehicle/1/179/product/ducati-starter-rewire-kit-st2st4st4s-916/295)

I posted about re-routing the starter wire, try a search.   Look here: http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=12391.0

Go to an electrical supply store.  They will have the correct gauge and the necessary connectors.

thanks for the link.
I know how to do it, I just can't find the right cable.  6g, 1/4" connectors.. 26" i think should do it.. just have to find the right place.
Putting connectors on 'raw' wire poses its own challenges for me since I don't have the tools to attach them, hence my desire for a pre-fab one.  But I'll keep looking.

Andy

All you need is a wire cutter, a stripper, a hammer (those are all the tools I used) and some electrical tape.  I used light taps (and some not so light) with a hammer to fit the conncectors onto the wire.

Finding exactly the correct length wire might be difficult.  For measurement, use an old cable or string and route it as you desire, and then use that for measuring length.   :)

ah ok.  I thought there'd be all kinds of soldering and crap involved.
Thanks for the tip.  Now to find some 6g wire.


Andy

I solder my 1/4" ends onto my 6 ga cables I build after 'crimping' them on.  Then, I heat-shrink over the connections.  I have what's left of a 50' roll of 6 ga cable if you can't find any more local to you...

Theres a short tutorial post that would be useful to a few on here. ;D

A welding supply store will have the best cable and selection available and will cut to length. You can also buy jumper cables & cut off a piece. Flexability will be your main problem, get the thinest wire core you can find (afford).

For real flexability look at cable designed for audio systems like this

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136RED4P25/JL-Audio-4-gauge-Power-Cable.html?showAll=N&tp=2472 (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136RED4P25/JL-Audio-4-gauge-Power-Cable.html?showAll=N&tp=2472)


Pre-Tinned wire is easier to solder lug connectors. Just my opinion but mechanical crimp only is not good enough

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0017401015716a.shtml (http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0017401015716a.shtml)

finally got around to doing it last night.

(http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/2399/startercable002rs1.th.jpg) (http://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?image=startercable002rs1.jpg)

thanks for the posts and guidance everyone.


Andy

the Bike looks great. Are you going to get rid of the emissions canister?

Thank you for the compliment.  Now that I've secured new suspension i can start in on the pretty stuff.

But I think that's the shock reservoir you see.


Andy

It looks good man.  I'm definitely going to the electronics store this summer.  It's such a quick mod with minimal $$.

It was cheap and easy enough I'm considering buying some bulk wire and just cranking them out and reselling them.

My only regret is I destroyed the rubber boot on the starter end of the wire on accident.  So I need to go see the dealer for a new one.  Actually I'm going back to that electronics store tomorrow just for a visit to see what all they have.  there was so much stuff there I didn't have time to see everything the day I went for the parts.



Andy

Nice job!!  [thumbsup]

Remember to get some dielectric grease on on the rubber cover.

thanks.  It's coated with grease right now.  I need to get a new boot though.  But thanks for the reminder.


Andy

aaaaand of course you can't buy just a new boot, you have to buy the whole starter cable.


Andy

Why not look at Advanced Auto or Pep Boys or the like?

It's just a tight rubber tube right?  How big do they make shrink tubing??

a tube with a 90 degree elbow to cover up the stud where the cable connects.

Yeah, I can go to local auto parts but it would've been much easier to just walk into the dealer and say "I need this" and they say "of course, here's one for you."  Especially because i have a credit at the dealer.

This is a lesson to me to not get too anxious when things don't work right immediately.  I think I might have an old spark plug wire off my car that I can strip the boot off.


Andy

I have this problem too.  It helps to have a beer while working...forces you to take your time.


That's a good idea!

well tried a spark plug boot, but from the "other end."  No dice. Was too thick and after an hour of trying to grind out the inside to open up the holes and make it more pliable I gave up.  I have 3 more to mess with from my car, so maybe I can get one to work, but not an easy fix.  I'll have to cruise the auto-parts store and see what they have.

Maybe instead of grinding it, try an exacto knife.

got it done today.  The problem with the boot I was hollowing out was that it was stretching.  So when the grinder tip of my dremel went in, it just stretched it out instead of grinding it.

So, i wrapped it with zip ties so it wouldn't be able to stretch.  It's not a perfect fit over the lug on the starter but it's good enough.

I also had to grind a radius in the 90* of the elbow so that the wire would be more accommodating.

Andy

Good news!

Pains in the ass aside, it's still a nice mod that cleans up the right side of the bike.  [thumbsup]

Agreed.
Once I get my new-used forks set up the fun begins.

the cable was easy enough to do, once I found a place with the right parts, I'm considering buying some bulk wire and making them to sell.


Andy

Sign me up for one.  Like the idea.  [thumbsup]

Has anyone ever figured out a length that would work with most (not 696/1100) monsters? 

Will 26" work for all?

I got enough marine grade 6g wire and connectors to make 10, and want to make them as universal as possible.

I only have an s2r800 and a couple of 620s to test fit against.

TIA!