M1100 progress pics ** Update # 1

[dennisd]

The bike looks good.
How do you like the lighter wheels?

-M

Actually, it's killing me because I haven't been able to ride the bike since I put the new wheels on Tuesday evening.  Tuesday, just as I was finishing up installing the wheels a thunderstorm blew in.  Then yesterday and today I have had business commitments that kept me from riding.  When I finally do get to try it out I'll post my thoughts here:
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=42579.msg763993#msg763993

[dennisd]

I like the red pinstripe and the Termi decals - nice touches! 

Thanks Dave.  How about some input on what to do next???

[tuanogus]

Thanks Dave.  How about some input on what to do next???

Ride it?

[mitt]

Very nice for a M1100 


mitt

[stateprez]

Digging the red headlight trim.

[ungeheuer]

OK, now I'm open to suggestions.  I might go with Boom-Tubes to open the rear up a little and loose a little weight that is carried up high.

While some of the work I've done is purely cosmetic, I do most with the intent of gaining performance.

IMHO Boomtubes are mostly cosmetic, although you will be carrying less weight so indirectly they'll add to to the up side of the power/weight equasion.  And they do look fantastic..... but.... I have my doubts that you will gain any direct performance from them - maybe even a small net loss. There's never been any numbers released to counter (or support) my thoughts.....  

Since you ask: red headlight trim and fairing pin stripes must go.

I disagree.  I like the red pins on the silver and I especially like your red headlight bezel, not only sets it apart but along with the red sprocket carrier works really well as a theme.

I like the black wheels just as they are, no rim striping at and... why would you be looking for black or red billet wheel nuts?  The stock silver items already look great in your silver/red/black theme.  

Just one thing... I'm inclined to agree with others... the grips....  to my eyes.... are a little cheesy  .

Very nice for a M1100  
mitt

^^ Back-handed compliments are still compliments.... Slowly we're dragging the lovers of Monsters past into the modern era  

Very nice dennisd

[mitt]

.
^^ Back-handed compliments are still compliments.... Slowly we're dragging the lovers of Monsters past into the modern era  

I tried being discrete    I still can't compare m1100's to m1000's - they are just not in the same boat IMO.

mitt

[dennisd]

OK, thats like 3 votes no against the grips.  At least I didn't pay a lot for them.  Maybe I'll see if I can find some black gel/silver billet grips.  Maybe like these Rizomas:

http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/GR205/Bars-Mirrors/GR205.html

[ungeheuer]

Mate, if YOU like the bloody grips then why not keep em?  Its your bike 

[Artful]

Mate, if YOU like the bloody grips then why not keep em?  Its your bike 

Couldn't have said it better myself. You asked our opinion, but it's your bike man. If you dig them, rock 'em.

[DucHead]

Nice looking bike!     [moto]

• some color on the wheels would be cool!
• black or red shock spring
• decals = NO

Those OZ wheels are the shiznit!  Wish they came in white.     I can't get around the look of black wheels on certain bikes (no matter what kopfjager says).   

[bunnyman666]

The grips aren't my cup of tea; however, your hands will cover them anyway when you ride the bike. In the end, if you like them, keep them. If you're like me, I tend to change grips every few thousand miles (or less, depending on my mood), so if you hate 'em, they will need replacement pretty quickly.

I am on the fence about wheel stripes in red...

Like the other red details!!!

Nice bike, overall!!!

[dennisd]

I've been on the fence about a couple of the things I've done.  The grips were one of them.  That's why I'm asking for the opinions of others.  Some days I like the grips, some days I'm like "what was I thinking?"  I definitely like the extra size and cushion they add over the stock grips.  Like Bunnyman said, I don't see them when I ride anyway, so for now I'll keep them.

The other thing I was on the fence about is the painted sprocket carrier.  It kinda draws extra attention to that area.  At first I wasn't sure I wanted to do that but the more I see it the more I like it.  With the headlight trim painted, the painted sprocket carrier gives the bike a visual flow, IMO.  Your eyes are drawn to the front of the bike, through the frame to the rear wheel.  In photography, this is called flow; it makes your eyes take in the entire picture.

Now I'm trying to find a way to do the same to the curb side.  Your eyes are still drawn to the front of the bike by the headlight/frame but from there it gets kinda lost.  The open clutch works to some extent as does the wheel/SSS but I still feel it needs something.  Maybe I should just leave the curb side to the mechanical look it has now?  I'm not sure about pin-striping the wheels.  I could use some tape and then decide.  Tape would be easy to remove.

The problem with pin-striping the wheels; the OZ Motorbike wheels have an Orange label that looks to be painted on.  Red will clash and I really don't want to remove the label.  I was thinking about something toward the middle of the wheel around the wheel nut.  At first I thought a red billet wheel nut to match the clutch plate but decided against that.

[dennisd]

Nice looking bike!     [moto]

• some color on the wheels would be cool!
• black or red shock spring
• decals = NO

Those OZ wheels are the shiznit!  Wish they came in white.     I can't get around the look of black wheels on certain bikes (no matter what kopfjager says).   

The shock spring does kinda stick out doesn't it?  I thought about red but decided that would be TOO much.  I had a red billet crank cover on but went back to the stock one painted black which cleaned up the look a lot.  Maybe I'll have to do the spring in black also.

[dennisd]

DAM IT, Ungeheuer; you have my head spinning from reading and trying to comprehend all the threads about tuning the M1100.  I really have no desire to eliminate the stock air box (remember I'm running the DP "race" kit with free flow air filter, ECU & Termi slip ons) and the Wasp works system "only" adds 2-4 PHP (negligible IMO).  From what I gather in all the threads you have going or participated in, I could just order the Rexxer unit and improve ride-ability?   I can order it preloaded to eliminate the O2 sensors, fatten up the low to mid fueling, raise the rev limit?  Sounds like that would give me better ride-ability in the low-mid range while adding a little more top performance because of the increased rev limit.  Plus from what I understand, I could read error codes stored in the ECU and also reset the service reminder?