Ducati 1000 DS build

[buzzer]

if anyone is interested I have put the build video on my youtube channel...

you can find me by searching @jtccc

[He Man]

saw the vids. very nice! Also those FCRs look sick.

[buzzer]

I was so impressed with the speed/tacho I fitted to the Buell, I decided to fit one to this bike! A bit easier than the Buell housing as there were no complicated angles, bit it still took a while to machine. I managed to incorporate some grommets so its nicely rubber mounted as well.

I don't know what the alloy was (The scrap yard said it was from one of the aerospace companies locally) but it machined so nicely, The downside was the chips were small and very sharp… I had an official warning as somehow she kept finding the chips in the house…. and one ended up in her heel…. 

The instructions are in english, but a lot was lost in translation, so it took a while to figure out the wiring, and the programming for the speedo calibration and Tacho pulses, but I got there in the end. Its also nice to have a trip meter. As always I did a bit of etching to personalise it.

At the same time I took the opportunity to change the bars… I wanted to drop the front end as I had done this on a previous build and it sharpens the handling. The Multistrada forks are a lot longer than many other models… I found some raised clamps on Aliexpress that fitted nicely to the top of the stanchions now raised above the top yoke.

[Monsterlover]

I love it!

[buzzer]

well I had a little ride on the Buell....  it goes VERY VERY well!  I cant believe how they have got that old Sportster engine to produce so much power and torque!  It spins up amazingly fast...  It's nothing like the 2006 Sportster 1200 I used to own, that had about 50 BHP

Its certainty MUCH more powerful than the Guzzi and I dare say a fair bit more than the Ducati as well!  It was only a brief ride but the handling feels very sharp as well, but I didn't push at all as the tyres are new...

Does it vibrate?  well...  yes, but not as bad as I imagined.  I will report back once I have ridden it in anger

[Howie]

IMO, best Buell I've seen

[buzzer]

I have done around 300 mile now, its running well! I love the torque, and it actually feels quite quick! It also handles and brakes beautifully. However, it does vibrate, and I had my first casualty... a bolt from the air filter dropped out! Maybe I didn't tighten it enough, the design of the filter is not the best so I didn't fully tighten the bolts. sods law it was a special bolt with a breather hole in it... I tried to make a couple in stainless, but I couldn't broach a hexagon in it as it was way too hard.. I ended up making a couple of bolts in brass. I have now drilled the head on these so I can wire them in place.

the other thing that definitely wasn't right was the gear change... When the foot lever was in a comfortable position, the angles of the rod and levers was not right... I ended up making a new gear lever to get it all right. the difference this small thing made was HUGE! Its these sort of changes that make a real difference to how a bike rides.

I have mentioned before that I like to get a bike at the back of the garage for next winters build... I thought plenty of time over summer to get something sorted... Last week a message dropped into my facebook messenger... I was from a lady who said she had followed my posts on there and had seen what I had done with bikes... and did I want another project! If all goes to plan it will arrive next Monday... so watch this space!

[buzzer]

Well this has arrived... its a 2004 XB12R... I really didn't need another project just yet, but when this came along at a bargain price (and I mean BARGAIN!) it was simply too good to miss! it's done 12k miles and is in really nice condition! lots of aftermarket carbon parts on it, plus all the original parts as well! Its stood since 2016... but with a new battery it started straight up and sounds sweet!

Not sure what I will do with it yet, I am tempted to just ride it for a while! We will see...

[stopintime]

"Wrap" it in self made fairings - almost creating the vibes of a stream lined salt flat top speed racer.

[ducpainter]

Time for a new thread Tony.

This one is locked.