dyi a ducati

[seanster]

I've sold my 750 for about 3 months now. As much as i enjoyed having the Duc, I enjoyed much more of the time my dad and I spent working on it.  Now WE need a new project and I really really wanting another bike...I've always love the sport classic look (cafe racer in general).

I would like this to be a project so me and my old man can work together on weekends...We are "okay" mechanically speaking but I'm willing to learn and as I said this will be a challenge and a fun project.  So the goal is to build a cafe racer ducati, but i have no idea where to start...can someone shine some lights of how or where should I starts?  books I could read, references?

thanks.

Sean.

[OzzyRob]

Buy a runner that's reg'd and can be ridden on road (damn cheaper, speaking from exp you'd be surprised how much a small bracket can cost). First time project do a little at a time, try to keep it on the road as much as possible. Decide what year and model you want to start with and have a look around. Don't be shy in collecting bits before you get the bike if they come up at a reasonable price.

Check out some of the streetfighter forums, most of the guys on those forums are open minded, full of advice and aren't brand nazis. Usual piss taking of harleys excepted. And if there is a way to do some thing in a shed someone will know how.

http://www.streetfighters.com.au/forum/forum.php

Make sure you introduce yourself first, mainly your big jap fours there but a couple of ducatis there as well.

If you haven't got a lathe grab one, I did the wheel swap myself with a little 7x14 hobby lathe. It's great being able to turn something up when you need it, even at 3am in the morning.

A couple of small trolley jacks come in handy, about 4 axle stands are handy as well as a front & rear stand. Don't be affraid of knocking up some stand to suit out of scrap timber.

Have a basic idea of what you want, don't be affraid to change, but try to stick to the basics.

Oh and never be affraid to ask questions. Have fun and don't let the blues get you down, they'll be times when you'll want to set the whole thing on fire. A well it shed is a big help, plus a couple of lamps to throw light in just the right place.

[Raux]

good places to look at
www.duccutters.com lots of ideas and some tech
http://www.radicalducati.com/index.php?page=home  they are kinda the big guys on Duc conversions right now
also search around in the accessories and mods
there are several conversions there including a minor sponsor that has a cafe style seat for a stock monster frame

but IMO, the easiest conversion is a Monster with Radical ducati bodywork

[brad black]

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/mcy/3722036095.html