Pre-2002 Triple Clamp?

[carbmon]

I'm interested in an aftermarket lower+upper triple clamp to fit my 2001 M750 with 26mm ID, 52MM OD steering bearings.

SpeedyMoto and others offer triples for 2002+ which have a larger stem tube and a larger head tube (making modification of that part to fit the 2001 frame impossible).

Questions:
1.  Who made (past tense) complete triple clamps for the 2001 and older monsters (maybe I can find a used discontinued set)?

2.  Are there other Ducs that have the same steering stem, head tube and fork diameter and offset as the 2001 Monster?  I do not care if headlight/instrument mounts are comaptable.

Thanks!

[corey]

http://www.imasrl.com/ENG/special-parts-comp.asp

These guys can hook you.
Bit of a wait time, and you're ordering from italy. But others have done so with great success.
And they are BEAUTIFUL parts.

[junior varsity]

I've had their parts on my bike for a long time - there is a picture of mine in the gallery.

I like the parts so much I've ordered up another set for SBK forks.

Note that they come in 30mm offset for the older bikes. Speeds up turn-in a bit. Feels fantastic.

Billet Upper Triple, Lower Triple, Stem, and Stainless Hardware is included. They can do custom fork boring for different forks. Your OEM forks are 50mm top OD, 54mm bottom OD. Showa SBK forks are 53/53, and Ohlins SBK forks are 53/56.

They are working on a complete triple set for SBKs now which is going to be bad ass. I'm teetering on the edge of pulling the trigger for a pre-order.

They speak english, they take PayPal. Shipping is fast.


Order up some new steering head bearings and installation is a breeze. If you get the SpeedyMoto Tapered Bearings, you aren't really upgrading anything, your bike came with tapered bearings. It has upper and lower dust seal included, you pretty much order the IMA triples (270 euro plus shipping plus any special options you want, like risers, etc), and the SM bearings, $105 USD, and you are good to go.

[junior varsity]

Mid-Progress:

[junior varsity]

"Finished Project" (at the time)

[carbmon]

Thanks for the IMA link, I'd not seen that before.  Looks like nice pieces but I'd really like something 'sexier' and without the front-pinch bolts on the upper which will interfere with some clip-ons such as the 20mm rise SpeedyMoto.

I've been in touch with the SpeedyMoto folks since posting here - very helpful people there.

Since I don't need bar or mounts for the OEM instrument pod, it appears that the upper and lower triples for SS models may be a good fit.  The stem bearings, washers, pre-load ring nut are all the same Ducati Part Number for SS and pre-2002 Monster.  The fork lock is different so I'd lose that but who cares.

Does anyone (a m?) know if the stem tube length is the same for an SS and a pre-'02 Monster?

FYI,



Small differences in these numbers make very noticeable difference in turn-in and may affect the potential for 'head-shake' (a problem I've never had with my set-up); adjusting rear height and/or front height will change the rake and therefore trail, but with other handling consequences too.

The trail numbers in the table above are calculated using the tool found at

http://www.rbracing-rsr.com/rakeandtrail.html

If you use the calculator, enter "0" for fork length (since Ducs don't have raked triples, fork length does not enter into the equation).  Thanks to the folks at RB Racing for that!

[junior varsity]

i only "believe" that stem length is the same on the SS and pre-02 Monsters.

I "know" that the stems on the 748, 749, and 848 are identical

[carbmon]

Thanks, "a m" - I'm with you on the stem lengths for SS vs pre-2002 Monsters at least.

I've edited my post above to include a now completed table of info on static front geometries for some Ducs of interest to me.

If nothing else, it shows that when a person says "an XX mm offset works good for the Monster" it would be useful to at least know what year, displacement and tire they are using to get some relative notion of how that might apply to your situation.

In that post I mention that fork-length does not enter into the equation for calculating trail, which is true.  HOWEVER, the stock rake is based on the stock specified fork length and rear ride height.  If you slide your forks in the triple you change the rake (forks pushed UP in the triple cause LESS rake, all else being equal).  Lower rear height has MORE rake, all else being equal.

All the numbers really mean Boo until you relate them to empirical experience on the road/track, though some universally accepted truths seem to hold with all other factors being equal:

More trail means more straight-line stability
Less trail means easier turn-in

For me ('01 M750, 120/60 tire, R&T forks set to the OEM length in the stock triple), I'm still looking for a triple with 25mm offset (which may not exist other than the stock piece) because I have no complaint about turn-in and I do not want to expose myself to potential head-shake issues (straight line instability).  All I want is a nicer looking piece, but handling trumps looks every time for me.

Thanks all for your posted info, it has been helpful.  Thanks also to Chris Kelley at CA Cycleworks for his always-welcome advice based on more empirical experience with Ducs than most of us will ever gain.

[junior varsity]

Cyclecat Top triple (look on the ebay) and Motowheels billet 3 or 4 bolt lower. Rigidity on the bottom is key for handling.

[carbmon]

Perfect, "a m" , thanks again!

The last in-stock 3-bolt lower from Motowheels is now "in the mail", at a great price and in the clear anodized I prefer 

The search continues for an upper, but that should be easier to find and at least I can run my stock upper with the new lower 'till then.

One step at a time .... 

[junior varsity]

You'll want to constantly troll eBay for CycleCat top triple.

[671M900]

You'll want to constantly troll eBay for CycleCat top triple.

Yep, them things are sexxy! I love mine, and the best part was that it came in a box of parts for the bike when I bought the Duc.

[carbmon]

You'll want to constantly troll eBay for CycleCat top triple.

Roger that 

[carbmon]

The lower triple from Moto Wheels is now in hand.

A nice piece though painted silver, not clear anodized (we'll take care of that, no problem).

I was very pleasantly surprised to get a call on Sunday afternoon from Ed at Moto Wheels about my search for a suitable upper.  Working Sunday to try to serve his customers, and going the extra mile to try to find an oddball part. 

(no apology for plugging a DMF Sponsor vendor - good folks there)