Ducati 1000 DS build

[stopintime]

...............

I would like to dyno the bikes...  but there is nowhere local thad does it...

If only we knew a guy with the required technical skills and equipment to build almost anything..... 

COME ON  Don't be boring. Build a rolling road.

[buzzer]

been a while since I updated....

I have been using the bikes quite a lot, despite the cold and wet spells of weather! One thing that’s always bugged me on the last Ducati build was the side mounted number plate… so when i was checking the bike over and noticed a crack in the plate, (poor design and manufacture on my part, I am ashamed!) I decided to fit a rear mounted one the same as a lot of bikes use these days, and also the same as I did on the honda build...

I made the bracket out of 12 and 16mm ERW steel tube which I cold bent around a former. it the walls on the former are nice and thick, you can do quite tight bends without kinking. I also made a carbon fiber finisher, using the tyre shape to create a mould. (I covered the tyre with tin foil first!) it came out rather well!

The other thing that bugged me was a slight fluffynes/hesitation on initial acceleration. I backed off the advance just a little and it completely disappeared! Red Vs blue line in the graph. just shows what a small adjustment can make!

[stopintime]

Welcome back 

Much better location. Make one long carbon fender instead? Maybe?  Also.... what about two-three trellis pieces between the two bracket parts?

[buzzer]

July 2024… the guzzi is running great and I am doing quite a few trips out on in, but the weather is so mixed a have found myself doing a few jobs… A couple of things I didn’t like about the bike was the seat and the side mounted number plate, so I decided to change both… I made a new seat, and a number plate bracket and small carbon fender (if you can call it that!)

New sear meant a new rear light as I was not happy with that either!

I also changed the bars for some flat ones and made some risers… I love the relaxed ride of the guzzi! very different to the Ducati!

[stopintime]

I agree. Improvement. Big!

[stopintime]

So, here's one of your bikes changing owner, but where are you?

 


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186660421038?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=KykeIpCPQ7C&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=xhXfc3IYTgy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[buzzer]

So, here's one of your bikes changing owner, but where are you?

 


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/186660421038?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=KykeIpCPQ7C&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=xhXfc3IYTgy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Yes, I saw that!  fetched a good price!


A few weeks ago my mate bought Sammy Millers old rolling road from his museum...  He has fixed the electronics on it and got it working!  I took one of my bikes today and gently ran it up...  A relaxed run as my bike is SO NOISY!  had to have respect for the neighbours... I definitely should have worn ear defenders even for a low speed run!  Later on, he ran his Suzuki GS500 up to 100 MPH on there...  what a noise!  here is a short video...

[buzzer]

Getting towards the end of the riding season for me... Last update for a while as I dont have another project yet!  Nothing has taken my eye...

It was a sad day yesterday, the end of an era in two ways...  early morning I joined 30 others to pay my final respects to a good mate on his memorial ride... RIP Richard....


I then visited my favorite biker cafe for the last time before it closes its doors for good. Bacon sandwich and a coffee for the last time there.  I first visited in 1972 on My 1965 AJS 250 14 CSR...  I have been a regular visitor ever since. My wife asked me why I was so sad...  Which made me think why I have always been attracted to the place, it definitely wasn't the decor or even the food!  Well it had an elevated position, and a large patio which was south facing...  it overlooked the road, river and the Severn Valley Railway line... but most of all it was the many like minded people I met... RIP the Food Stop Cafe at Quatt...

[stopintime]

That's not a nice feeling. Sharp reminders of development.

[buzzer]

well it's time for a new project... I sold the honda as I never really gelled with it and missed the grunt of the V Twins...

So I looked around and not a lot inspired me to be honest...  My criteria was must be air cooled...  Electric start... more than 80 BHP...

Then a few weeks ago I got chatting to a guy down the local cafe and he said he had a Buell that he might sell...  Never thought about them before and I soon realised they fitted my criteria.  He said he had owned it from new, very low miles, and it had been stored in a dehumidified cocoon all its life!  he had spent an absolute fortune on it over the years in custom parts, but had not ridden it for 5 years...

I collected it today and here it is...  not sure what I will do with it yet, but it's going to make an interesting project!

[stopintime]

I want a substantial tail on the Buell. Something that balances the look.

... and since you're already on that path... why not build a LIGHT(ish) Harley? "How much can be removed?"

[buzzer]

I want a substantial tail on the Buell. Something that balances the look.

... and since you're already on that path... why not build a LIGHT(ish) Harley? "How much can be removed?"

Im'e listening! 

[buzzer]

First job has been to address the plastic tank… While it’s not too bad, its already showing signs of bubbling due to the ethanol in the fuel… I hate plastic tanks, so it has to go. Plan was to make an alloy under tank and then make a fiberglass seat and tank cover. However, I had an old Ducati Monster tank that was rotted out on the bottom so I got Arnie the angle grinder out and cut it up… just to see! I was really pleased with the shape and how it fitted! It did of course mean that I would lose that nice Buell filler cap, so instead of using the Ducati one, I made a conversion ring to take the Buell one, it worked a treat.

I made a new bottom for the tank out of some 1.2mm mild steel, and TIG brazed some mounting lugs on, and also a plinth for the fuel tap. This didn’t go well and I got some leaks (good job I pressure tested before putting the bottom in!) The reason was due to my TIG settings… you need both pre AND post gas with braze and you need to flood the weld area with gas before you arc up. The tap plinth brazed on much better. I did mill some shoulders to make it easier as its 10mm thick.

Rather than leave a hard welded edge I planished a 90 degree curve on the edges and then recessed the bottom in.

Next the seat… I quite like the back shape, but not the triangle that hangs down… I decided to use the existing seat as a pattern and make a new one out of fiberglass. The original seat is actually quite valuable so I was keen to keep it nice. I covered it in cling film before covering that with 3″ wide sticky foil tape. It's very thin and moulds to shape, and does a good job of following the contours, its actually fantastic stuff and very sticky!  To make the things line up to the new tank I used builders foam, which once dry, I cut to shape with a bread knife. Be a few days before the resin and mat arrives!

[Howie]

Nice tank.  Volume?

[buzzer]

Nice tank.  Volume?

not sure, but it will be big enough as it has a flat bottom

The seat unit is now in shape, next job is to make the actual seat… Not cut it to the end shape yet, still pondering! I must work on my photoshop skills!