M900 engine rebuild / repaint : pointers needed

[hillbillypolack]

The 96 M900 is on the docket for a refresh as the garage's next project.  I'll be making room to spread out parts, workspace and basically organize the surgery area.

I took down the M900 in 2001 and in the rebuilding / farkling process shed 40 lbs from the bike.  I didn't touch the engine though a reputable local mech did the high-comp piston install and freshened the heads.  I think I've put a whopping 5000 miles on it since that time.

I'd like to repaint the engine cases when I re-do other parts of the bike.  I've also been thinking of some internal mods (lightened crank or rods. . . oh where does it all end).  For a streetbike, what do you all think?  Who could take care of the engine as I've described, or could I mostly do it myself with some local assistance?

I'd also like to simplify and clean up the wiring throughout the whole bike.

Thanks for any pointers.  This M900 got me through some rough patches so it's a bit symbolic to get it right and reliable too.

[greenmonster]

How many miles in total?
Any alu nailclippings or other metal in oil?

[hillbillypolack]

The speedo / odometer was disconnected at 9600 (total miles), so I'm guessing the bike has a grand total of about 16,000 on it to date (I know, a baby).

All oil changes and services I've done show no evidence of aluminum dusting or any metallic sediment beyond the normal run-in after the piston installation).

[koko64]

 
Some mods to consider:

Light flywheel
Carrillo rods
FCR 41 carbs
944 JE pistons and rebore
44mm inlet valves and porting
MBP style heads
Adjustable cam pulleys and cams dialed
"Port" the inlet manifolds
Polish case innards

Who's  painting the engine?

[hillbillypolack]

Some mods to consider:

Light flywheel
Carrillo rods
FCR 41 carbs
944 JE pistons and rebore
44mm inlet valves and porting
MBP style heads
Adjustable cam pulleys and cams dialed
"Port" the inlet manifolds
Polish case innards

Who's  painting the engine?

Those are some mods I have been considering. . . . but the question is who can I send some (or most) of the work out to be done?  And done properly?

I am not looking for a full house 'race' engine, but a bumped-up, reliable street engine that starts on cool mornings.  (BTW, I was thinking Pankl rods. . )

So. . . to answer your question, I don't know who's painting the engine (or sorting the internals).  But if you have any recommendations. . . .

[koko64]

It would be worth pming Speeddog, Duckstew, jv, Travman, Dub Luv to find a builder. Maybe you could ask Chris at California Cycleworks who he would recommend.

Is Ducpainter near you? If not he might have a recommendation for paintwork.

[Travman]

Where are you located?

[hillbillypolack]

Where are you located?

Detroit, MI.  So (ironically), there are literally thousands of machine shops in this area doing loads of auto related stuff.

Of course, it's more important that someone who understands Ducatis does the work.

[greenmonster]

What`s the budget?

[Travman]

So does anybody know of a capable builder near Detroit? 

[hillbillypolack]

Well, here's a brief update.  I visited the guy who did the mods on the engine several years ago this weekend.  Last I was there, he must have been on a weekend trip and I don't always get out to that area.  It was good to see him at last.

Regardless, he's been into Ducatis since the bevels, has raced at Mosport, Daytona, Grattan, Mid Ohio and a few other tracks in the 80s. A green frame 750SS on a lift which appeared to be a resto and it looked beautiful so far.  He really injured his leg years ago while hooning Peter Egan's KTM Adventure and folding it into a tree.  So he's slowed down and is taking fewer jobs.  While we were talking, there was a knife edged crank with TI Pankls that Falicon worked on.

I brought up getting into the engine and asking for assistance when I get there.  It sounded like he would when I decide to jump in and figure out what exactly what I'd like to do to the engine.  Probably just so it doesn't become an open-ended effort, and to minimize his 'to do' list as well.

I guess what I'd need to understand is what to do / how far to take a street engine.  A balance / Ti rod package would be a great beginning.  Would blueprinting do anything, or is that more for bragging rights?

Also, from my father's hotrodding days. . . . has anyone used glyptal in motorcycle engines?  It was/is commonly used to shed oil back into the bottom of the crank faster.

[koko64]

Here's a suggestion.

Carrillo rods (street motor, save a few bucks)
Balanced crank
944 JE pistons and bore to suit (JE are very affordable)
44mm inlet valves with porting to suit
Stock exhaust valves
Nice valve job
A couple of of pounds off the stock flywheel or stock flywheel weight if the crank has been lightened
FCR41 carbs on stock length manifolds
Inlet manifolds cleaned up with the porting
Ignition retarded 3 deg at the pick ups or tuned Igniteck module
Stock cams dialed in with adjustable pulleys.

When well tuned, 90 hp and 70 ft/lbs with a tractable street engine.