The "Tangerine Dream" (to be renamed later) mod project

[MsTek]

I am not dead.  Still have the Ducati... No mods as of yet but she is about to go into a friend's garage for the winter next week who happens to be a wrencher.  There is a serious problem with suspension being way too squishy at the moment as well as the clutch not grabbing like it should. I pray its nothing serious (meaning $$$).  My goal is to have the arrows I bought and had powder coated and the forks wrapped in vinyl by next riding season.  (I hope).  My immediate concern is the suspension and clutch at the moment however because I can tell its a little bit dangerous.

[stopintime]

Good to know you're well

I hope the suspension and clutch issues aren't too bad. My impression is that it's more often minor than major.

Let us know how it turns out - good luck!

[RUFKM]

I am not dead. 

Good to hear.  I was looking forward to the powdercoat pics on the T-Dream.  Good luck with the other issues.  Every once in a while a winter comes along that actually seems beneficial.  Hope this is yours.

[DarkMonster620]

$400 for that power commander thing!!??  Surely there must be another way!

Visit,

http://www.techlusion.com/

 or

http://www.powercardtuning.com/home.aspx

Both less than $300.00 and availble for your bike...Installation, about 25 minutes.

[swampduc]

Suspension squishy?
How much do... whoa, can't believe I almost asked a woman that.
I would expect your bike to be oversprung rather than under.
No oil on either fork or shock (seals blown)?

[DarkMonster620]

Suspension squishy?
No oil on either fork or shock (seals blown)?

If so, fill up with a heavier wt oil like 10W... It'll make the suspension a little firmer.

[MsTek]

No fluid leakage on the bike anywhere.  I'm the one who has to store the bike outside?  I will say that there were squirrels trying to hid cupcakes under the cover (yes, you read that correctly) but that's about it.  Thank god the bike is going to hibernate at my friend's this week.

I was just thinking about that too-  maybe the suspension is squishy because I am not heavy enough?   Maybe it can be adjusted?  I am reading that I am going to have to replace the front forks which looks like serious $$$.  Still when I ride the motorcycle over a rough street, it feels so damn squirrely that I get a little worried and as far as I know, I'm a decent rider so if I am feeling kind of nervous, something can't be right!

I promise to post pictures when the pipes are on- that will happen over the winter.  I was told I actually need to powder coat one more piece that is ON the bike right now.  I wish I could take the rear swing-arm off and get that done too.  If I can make some money over the winter, I'll get it done.  The place I am taking her can hang her up so I could take the swing-arm off if I wanted to, I guess.  It's really about the $$.

And now, I want an S4r... but I love the color of my S2r too much.

[DarkMonster620]

No fluid leakage on the bike anywhere.  I'm the one who has to store the bike outside?  Yes, I remember, in some alley in Chicago, right?

I was just thinking about that too-  maybe the suspension is squishy because I am not heavy enough? Then, the opposite will happen, you would think that the suspension is to 'hard' not squishy.   Maybe it can be adjusted? You can either, play a bit with the rebound screw on the shock and try to adjust sag.  I am reading that I am going to have to replace the front forks which looks like serious $$$. That's why I told you to replace the OEM 7.5W fork oil with a 10W good quality fork oil. Still when I ride the motorcycle over a rough street, it feels so damn squirrely that I get a little worried and as far as I know, I'm a decent rider so if I am feeling kind of nervous, something can't be right! Steering head bearings tighten to spec?

I promise to post pictures when the pipes are on- that will happen over the winter.  I was told I actually need to powder coat one more piece that is ON the bike right now. As long as you keep it black and tangerine... I wish I could take the rear swing-arm off and get that done too.   It's really about the $$.

And now, I want an S4r... but I love the color of my S2r too much.

Or purchase or send the forks to suspension shop...

[stopintime]

Your fork springs might be stiff enough for your weight and the damping is not the worst either.
The main issue (as I've experienced it) with our forks is that it has very little rebound damping.
That means it will jump back up after compression - making the bike squirrely.
This is made worse by the progressive springs which allow a deeper front compression followed by a longer up-jump.

Solution: a very qualified suspension shop will be able to apply magic and get you the missing rebound for $200-300-400. Another ~100 will get you linear springs as well.

If you can't find a guru with rebuild qualifications, then you will have to get used forks and have them refitted and serviced for your specifications.

Or, you can forget about it and ride it as it is. It's not a bad bike

[yoreese]

Racetech can rework the forks, or just buy some Ohlins!  There is a set on the for sale board now! 

[MsTek]

Bang for the buck:

Okay, bike is in storage (then of course this weekend goes above 60 degrees. DAMN).

Here are the questions.  I want the bike street safe before it looks sexy.

I hear that I can get the forks worked on, but if I were to REPLACE the forks, what would I want to replace the forks with.  
(keep in mind, we're trying to keep reasonable so having to purchase a new triple tree is out of the question).

Rear suspension.  New Öhlins or can I get a used one?

Clutch.. New clutch plates?

Those are the three things that are scaring the hell out of me right now.  My friend bounced the bike when I took it over to him and he agreed there was way too much travel on it (and then asked me "what did you do!! )

[stopintime]

If you want an easy bolt on fork swap, look for S2R 1000 or similar forks. Brakes, triple tree etc. = everything fits.
The adjustability of those will most probably suit you. I suggest calling Chris Saraceni at MotoredSports/Desmotion 916 628 0963 for used parts.

Rear suspension. The stock parts aren't that bad, really. If the shock doesn't leak or anything, it's most likely ok - which means it will do it's job. Adjust the two rings on top of the shock (preload) up/out first. Then set the rebound (the flat head screw driver thingy on the bottom part of the shock) at something like half/one third of it's range (all the way in & then about ten "clicks" out). Go for a ride and then adjust again. And again. And again.

Clutch. It's impossible for us to diagnose the problem. I have had issues with missing lubrication on the connection between the lever and master cylinder. Others have had stiction on the rod/shaft between the left side slave cylinder and the right side clutch housing. Then there's also the possibility of a bad slave cylinder, which should be detected by leakage. Don't panic - one step at a time.

To me, it sounds like you're about to give up? Are you? The things you need to do aren't going to kill your budget, but you need to do things systematically. Please, forget about Öhlins, SBK forks and that kind of upgrades (at least for now). The stock parts will manage to get your bike to perform as expected - except the forks.

It's such a wonderful bike and you don't have to rebuild it. Except the forks


ps
Once you have the basics sorted out, the fun begins..... Raising the rear and lowering the front (free) will transform your ride. Monsters with a light rider are too light up front - jumpy and unstable - adjusting the geometry will "SuperBike'ify" it. However, that kind of fun comes after the basics are taken care of. We'll get back to that later, but I promise you that great fun is ahead.

[cduarte]

If you want an easy bolt on fork swap, look for S2R 1000 or similar forks. Brakes, triple tree etc. = everything fits.
The adjustability of those will most probably suit you. I suggest calling Chris Saraceni at MotoredSports/Desmotion 916 628 0963 for used parts.

Rear suspension. The stock parts aren't that bad, really. If the shock doesn't leak or anything, it's most likely ok - which means it will do it's job. Adjust the two rings on top of the shock (preload) up/out first. Then set the rebound (the flat head screw driver thingy on the bottom part of the shock) at something like half/one third of it's range (all the way in & then about ten "clicks" out). Go for a ride and then adjust again. And again. And again.

Clutch. It's impossible for us to diagnose the problem. I have had issues with missing lubrication on the connection between the lever and master cylinder. Others have had stiction on the rod/shaft between the left side slave cylinder and the right side clutch housing. Then there's also the possibility of a bad slave cylinder, which should be detected by leakage. Don't panic - one step at a time.

To me, it sounds like you're about to give up? Are you? The things you need to do aren't going to kill your budget, but you need to do things systematically. Please, forget about Öhlins, SBK forks and that kind of upgrades (at least for now). The stock parts will manage to get your bike to perform as expected - except the forks.

It's such a wonderful bike and you don't have to rebuild it. Except the forks


ps
Once you have the basics sorted out, the fun begins..... Raising the rear and lowering the front (free) will transform your ride. Monsters with a light rider are too light up front - jumpy and unstable - adjusting the geometry will "SuperBike'ify" it. However, that kind of fun comes after the basics are taken care of. We'll get back to that later, but I promise you that great fun is ahead.

stopintime is correct, the biggest weakness on the 620/695/800 monsters are the craptastic marzocchi forks, which truly suck. I put a set of S4 forks on my 695 and it really transformed it. ST2/3/4 forks also work well, are showa and are a direct bolt on. Only issue with them is you might be far too light for the stock springs in them.

[MsTek]

Not giving up.  It's just called "unemployment" which is a virus that has been going around these days.  Much scarier than swine flu.  Since I don't think I'll be able to find a job in the near future and my motorcycle IS my car (I don't own a car), I need to now make choices on what to repair.  The bike isn't safe right now, that I know.  Way, way, way too much play on it over potholes or other stuff in on Chicago streets.  It was a firmer ride when I first got her.  She isn't now.

I will start looking for parts in January (I have a little money coming to me then) so I am trying to put my shopping list together now as that I want the repairs done before the end of April and not the last moment before it's nice to ride again.  Also, maybe I get lucky and my dream job comes along.  Then I'll be taking the swing arm off and other things and getting them coated.

But right now, I just want my bike stiff again.  (and for the clutch not have to be pulled out almost all the way before it grabs)

[DarkMonster620]

Not giving up.  It's just called "unemployment", I need to now make choices on what to repair.  The bike isn't safe right now, that I know.  Way, way, way too much play on it over potholes or other stuff in on Chicago streets.  It was a firmer ride when I first got her.  She isn't now.
I will start looking for parts in January (I have a little money coming to me then) so I am trying to put my shopping list together now as that I want the repairs done before the end of April and not the last moment before it's nice to ride again.  Also, maybe I get lucky and my dream job comes along.  Then I'll be taking the swing arm off and other things and getting them coated.
But right now, I just want my bike stiff again.  (and for the clutch not have to be pulled out almost all the way before it grabs)

Sorry to hear you got hit by the 'unemployment virus', been there, got something, but not what I needed/wanted, but it has helped to put the bike together and pay the bills.

As I mentioned before and cduarte said, ST2/3 forks are direct bolt on but for your weight might be oversprung for you, my best bet for you, contact HyperPro Suspension, http://www.hyperpro.com/index.asp?page=estimate&product=4683&artcode=SP-DU08-SSA006 , just fill in the blanks with your info. Or/and contact RaceTech, http://www.racetech.com/page.aspx?id=53&menuid=61 , to see what can they offer, regarding your clutch, try first bleeding the fluid out and refilling with new fluid, good quality fluid.

How many miles have you covered with your bike? My M620 has 8000 miles and I have no issues with my clutch, OK, bike has been on stands since January 7th, a day after the accident, untill a few days ago when I test rode it and back teo the stands, one of the forks legs is to bent to repair so I'm on the market for new/used; but to the clutch if replacing the fluid doesn't work then, go to, http://www.desmotimes.com/ , then go to the clutch link and look for the Barnett wet clutch pack, $159.00, the site has lots of very good stuff for all Ducatis.

Pls PM me if you need any help with whatever, I've been working myself on my bike for almost a year and let me tell you, learned a lot; the clutch, I bleed and refilled before test ride because it had your exact same issue, with the refilling bleeding, issues gone. I used Repsol DOT fluid.

Godspeed on getting a new gig...!!!