620 Revamp Thread (SBK conversion, swingarm, etc, with pics)

[suzyj]

You could always swap out the clipons at some point for zero-rise ones above the triple.  I found that to be a good compromise.

Looks really nice.

[csorin]

You could always swap out the clipons at some point for zero-rise ones above the triple.  I found that to be a good compromise.

Looks really nice.

Yup, just did this at lunch.  Vastly improved the ergonomics for me.  My clip-ons have a slight rise, so the stock brake lines butt up against the lowered clocks.  It all looks pretty legit now, though I could have left the headlight and clocks in place 

[teddy037.3]

For now, everything is feeling decent.  I might give the stock 620 seat a go again, see if the lowered height brings my arms even closer to the bars.  I do like the extra room the 800 seat provides for my knees though.  We'll see.

ohhhhh yeah, forgot about that... after I swapped bars, I had picked up a sargent seat. HUGE difference in how the bike felt, and not in a good way for me. sold the sargent seat, went back to 620 stock. YMMV, obviously, but if you throw it on and ride around, you should notice a difference

[csorin]

Some pics of the now above-triple clip-ons:




Cockpit still feels fairly tidy:




Bars are swept back quite a bit.  The stock brake lines are interfering with the lowered gauges.  I'll have to eventually replace these lines with 90 degree fittings:






Overall bike feels much better.  I'll give the 620 seat a go tomorrow.  The 800 seat was actually decently comfortable today.  Will take some switching back and forth to figure out which height I prefer.

[csorin]

Whelp, after riding the clip-ons for about a little under two months, I've converted the bike back to bars and the stock forks.  The hunched over position was too much for me around town.  In the country, it was rockin.  I also like having the option of long, multi-hour rides.  I'm still retaining the upgraded brakes and the lowered headlight.

I'll be posting everything you'd need to make this front end conversion work (minus brake spacers if that's needed).  A link to the stuff for sale will go up shortly.

[csorin]

The forks, triple, and clip-ons are for sale:

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=53307.0

[TitanMonsterS4R]

all that work and $$$ down the drain .  You really like the stock forks of the 998's?

[xsephirot]

Very good write up! I noticed you switched to CRG mirrors. Any chance you'd like to sell those napoleons to me for cheap?

[csorin]

Very good write up! I noticed you switched to CRG mirrors. Any chance you'd like to sell those napoleons to me for cheap?

Sure,  just cover the shipping and you can have them.  They are a royal pain in the ass to install and to remove.  It's a weird system with a nut on the other side of a rubber tube.  PM me and we'll talk details. 

[csorin]

all that work and $$$ down the drain .  You really like the stock forks of the 998's?

Haha, I don't see it as wasted time nor money at all.  As for money, every part except for the top triple was bought used.  I'm definitely not making money selling it all, but I'm not taking a huge loss either. 

As for time, I love working with the bike.  The headlight is still lowered, and the upgraded brakes are still on.  I actually really like the look of the bike right now.  Sure, it's not all badass and cafe'd, but eh, I can live with it.  The lowered headlight and piss cups look boss. 

In the end, I'm getting the two year upgrade itch.  I'll either sell the Monster to put towards another bike, or just add a bike to the stable. 

Things I've learned from this whole thing:

1.  I need at least one comfy bike in the garage at all times (the stock Monster fills this niche)
2.  I'd like a purpose built sports bike as a second ride
3.  I prefer a less aggressive sag setting for the streets
4.  I prefer the clip-on position for aggressive riding and standard bars for around town

So in the end, the whole thing let me appreciate the Monster for what it is: my daily, around town commuter.  If I were riding this thing in the hills all the time or tracking it, then absolutely, this setup was awesome.  All in all, it was a learning experience, and it opened my eyes to the bolt upright, adventure bike lust.  KTM 990 SMT....very nice.  Dream garage would be a nice comfy daily commuter, and a rip-roaring sports bike.  Take your pick depending on how you feel that morning.

[teddy037.3]

All in all, it was a learning experience, and it opened my eyes to the bolt upright, adventure bike lust.

a hockey injury taught me that lesson... I do still miss the monster, though

[TitanMonsterS4R]

Haha, I don't see it as wasted time nor money at all.  As for money, every part except for the top triple was bought used.  I'm definitely not making money selling it all, but I'm not taking a huge loss either. 

As for time, I love working with the bike.  The headlight is still lowered, and the upgraded brakes are still on.  I actually really like the look of the bike right now.  Sure, it's not all badass and cafe'd, but eh, I can live with it.  The lowered headlight and piss cups look boss. 

In the end, I'm getting the two year upgrade itch.  I'll either sell the Monster to put towards another bike, or just add a bike to the stable. 

Things I've learned from this whole thing:

1.  I need at least one comfy bike in the garage at all times (the stock Monster fills this niche)
2.  I'd like a purpose built sports bike as a second ride
3.  I prefer a less aggressive sag setting for the streets
4.  I prefer the clip-on position for aggressive riding and standard bars for around town

So in the end, the whole thing let me appreciate the Monster for what it is: my daily, around town commuter.  If I were riding this thing in the hills all the time or tracking it, then absolutely, this setup was awesome.  All in all, it was a learning experience, and it opened my eyes to the bolt upright, adventure bike lust.  KTM 990 SMT....very nice.  Dream garage would be a nice comfy daily commuter, and a rip-roaring sports bike.  Take your pick depending on how you feel that morning.