S4R bar conversion and mini makeover

[retskcid]

Its not quite on the same scale as some of the awesome projects on the forum, but I thought I'd make my own small contribution. I have to say working on bikes is a pleasure after years of cars - so much easier!

I started with this:

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/1495_1.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/4470_1.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/1eba_1.jpg

A bit too blue for my taste. I also prefer more originality and sitting more upright, so the back end and clip ons had to go.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1938-1.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1940.jpg

I'm very please with the S4R bar kit, although some instructions would have been nice, there appears to be two roll pins surplus to requirements!

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1939.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1943.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1942.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1941.jpg

Apologies for the poor quality photos, I am a bit of a novice :dunce:

To be continued......

[Albie]

We all love projects as we are driven by other peoples efforts to improve our own. Well I think so anyhow. Marchesini drove me to do mine. Its looking great and less blue and I want your handlebar kit even though mine doesnt look to bad.Be careful or you'll find yourself going too far like I did even though no regrets. Keep the pics coming as they are a good reference point for you and others. Thats a great colour kiddies bike there in the background and can I have a go of your Porsche. Always wanted to drive a porsche since I was a kid.

Keep all the wiring neat and tidy and give it a clean up with a rag and citrus worksurface cleaner. It removes all the ge=rease and grime and shines it up.

Keep going until your happy.

Andy:D

[dlloyduk]

You have a mirror in your garage-How vane is that?

[retskcid]

Cheers Albie, I won't get too carried away as I have a deadline of 1st April so I can use it to commute for the summer, and I could never find the time to go to the great lengths that you have - two kids under five! Mines also going to be a workhorse and used in all weathers.

I must admit, I think the bars were well worth the money and look the part - what ones did you go for?

If I ever find time to sort the clutch on the car and the opportunity arises you can have a blast!

[retskcid]

You have a mirror in your garage-How vane is that?

I don't think a mirror would make a very good "VANE". ;)

[retskcid]

I made a little more progress on the front.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1945.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1946.jpg

This needs sorting, wiring routed wrong too.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1948.jpg

[Albie]

Cheers Albie, I won't get too carried away as I have a deadline of 1st April so I can use it to commute for the summer, and I could never find the time to go to the great lengths that you have - two kids under five! Mines also going to be a workhorse and used in all weathers.

I must admit, I think the bars were well worth the money and look the part - what ones did you go for?

If I ever find time to sort the clutch on the car and the opportunity arises you can have a blast!

Ha ha I like that idea. Want a hand to fix it then. Another project :spin: .

I still have standard bars at moment. Ihave just had a nightmare that I expected. The red ducati paint doesn't go with the frame. Apparently its OK but I dont't like the contrast and if a jobs worth doing its worth doing well. Time for a tank respray but it did always have a tiny dink in it and last year a scratch when we moved.
The red is more like the Senna red/orange. I just need to do what looks best.


Oh btw are your rad guards aluminium like mine. Rub them down to a satin finish or polish them. Mine are satin. Clocks will be a pain though. Glad no one painted mine.

[Pedro]

Good choice of bars, the Magura Fat Bars are so much better for position and comfort - both my 900 and 1000 have em!

[Flip]

Hey Ped,

Do I take it you still have your 900 too?

More importantly you say it has the fat bars like the S2/4R?

What parts did you use as I know there are price differences between the two models and are they better position than the original 900 bars?

Cheers matey!

[Pedro]

Hi Flip

yes still have the 900. I got a set of Magura Fat Bars from Rapido and some clamps from Oberon and a spare top yoke which I dilled to suit to Oberon Clamps - a bit of a faff but worked ok. Ideally you can use an S4R/S2R top yoke & clamps (like my 1000 has) but I'm not sure it will fit the earlier bikes.

The Magura bars are not cheap, I think I paid just over £110.....

Let me know your email if you want some pics

[944]

I have to say working on bikes is a pleasure after years of cars - so much easier!

Agree with that.........also own S4 and Porsche

Both classics that handle well, sound fantastic and put a smile on my face every time.

Must put my Norton Commando to the list and add that they all need lots of TLC or become very unreliable.

Mike

[retskcid]

I have found the 911 to be very low maintenance, mainly just routine stuff - but it only does 1,500 miles max per year now so I guess that helps.

Getting the blue stuff ready for paint:

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1950.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1951.jpg

After very little prep (washed and wet n dried)applied the plasti-kote matt super in black, very easy to use and get reasonable finish. You would want a decent clear coat for protection but not the "krystal" finish that I tried on a couple of bits.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1953.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1956.jpg

[retskcid]

I decided to keep the gold rims for the clocks as I didn't fancy painting them and I think they look good against black. I used good old silicon sealant to reattach them.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1958.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1959-1.jpg

Assembled:

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1960-1.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1961.jpg

[retskcid]

Going back on the bike:

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1963.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1965.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1968-1.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1969.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1966.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1971.jpg

[retskcid]

New undertray going in. The wiring for the rear lights appears to enter the undertray on the wrong side but I have managed to route it and tidy it up - I assume its ok here, it may have been moved when the alarm was installed.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1977.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1978.jpg

[Albie]

Good job on the clocks. I have never seen gold rims on them before. Looking very nice indeed. Its when you do these jobs you find others appearing and the list goes on but thats ok. I take it your radiator ends were steel then and not alloy like mine.
If your interested Capo was selling some Blue radiator hoses. I needed red so wasnt interested.

You saying the wiring wrongly routed I looked at the manual and it says the connector lug is on the other side of where it is and it routes up as you say on the brake side. I have mine on gearlever side.

Keep up the good work:biggrin:

[retskcid]

Hi Albie, thanks.

The undertray has a moulded entry for the cable on the brake side - hey ho. It seems ok on the other side so not worth the agro to move it!

I think my radiator end pieces are alloy but I'm going to do them black.

Cheers

Rich

[JerryXt]

Rich, this is looking like a nice job. Well done. Looking at the 'before' pics, I can see your point that there's too much blue :chuckle:

[retskcid]

Thanks Jerry.

[Sparky]

Looks much better now.

Looking at the pictures of your speedo it looks like your speedo needle is on the wrong side of the end stop, either that or you were doing over 200mph when you took the picture.

[retskcid]

Looks much better now.

Looking at the pictures of your speedo it looks like your speedo needle is on the wrong side of the end stop, either that or you were doing over 200mph when you took the picture.

Sh*te, I think you are right, I never thought to check :fou: I guess the clocks and glass have to come back out then. :banghead:

This is so typical of me! Measure once, cut twice. I suppose there's no way round it? You have to laugh.:rolleyes:

[retskcid]

I removed and resealed the speedo - what a PITA!:thumbsdown: Still, its done now.

I am getting frustrated with parts supply now as I am still waiting for the exhaust hangers - weeks and weeks now - and it is holding up progress.

I managed to trial fit the std tea tray and rear light/indicators yesterday (personally, I like them! ;) ) and Route 9 tail tidy. I need to put the battery back in and test the electrics before installing it all permanently.

And the rear hugger has been painted matt black.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1993.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1996.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1994.jpg

[Headhunter]

Is looking good Retskcid - especially the clocks.

Am thinking of doing the opposite - changing to lower front bars, as I'm now use to a lower riding position, so it's a great thread to read and also refer to!

:thumbsup:

[retskcid]

Thanks Headhunter. Most of my riding is a daily commute so having spent almost 10 years on sports bikes its quite nice now having a more upright position - and I love the new bars! I can't wait to start riding......

[Albie]

Im very jealous of your bars. Do you know there was a top clamp on ebay last sunday. I couldnt bid as pushing the limit at the moment. It went for £67 in the end.

Looking so much nicer . Where did you order your exhaust brackets from.

[retskcid]

Hahaha, they would look superb on your bike :thumbsup:

I ordered the exhaust mounts from Motorapido - I keep being told 3 days, every week!! :thumbsdown: I dont think its Motorapido as Craig and Richard have been great.

[Albie]

I have fitted a very nice carbon fibre tailtidy on mine. Once again thanks to spm23.I nearly took a couple of inches off the tea tray but have left it alone. My wiring is also very neat and tidy now. I got some heat shrink cable wrap from work and leds loom very neat.

Can I just tell you that there is a frame mount clip for the lighting connector on the inside of the triangulated area where its covered by the side pod. I will post a pic when I have time.

Whats next then. Maybe you need a belly pan.

[retskcid]

I have fitted a very nice carbon fibre tailtidy on mine. Once again thanks to spm23.I nearly took a couple of inches off the tea tray but have left it alone. My wiring is also very neat and tidy now. I got some heat shrink cable wrap from work and leds loom very neat.

Can I just tell you that there is a frame mount clip for the lighting connector on the inside of the triangulated area where its covered by the side pod. I will post a pic when I have time.

Whats next then. Maybe you need a belly pan.

Yep, I was looking at a carbon one, as well as the hugger, front mudguard etc - just trying to keep cost down at the mo (the bars were an unexpected cost)!

That's interesting I'll have a look for that clip. Cheers for the tip!

Nah, once I've finished the back end and hung the exhaust I just want to get the bike on the road at the mo. A bit of a service, fresh oil, plugs etc and poss belts. Although I do like the look of the black levers.......:rolleyes:

[Albie]

Sieman has a carbon hugger if yours isn't. Its a bargain as they are £100 +. I would have it myself but I would have to carve it up to try and fit.

[retskcid]

Cheers Albie, mine is painted carbon and I have just repainted matt back so cannot justify the cost at the mo.

[Albie]

I had a painted one on mine. Was tempted to rub it down and re-varnish it but lucky enough sold it.

I just started rubbing my tank down. At least I got the graphics off.

[retskcid]

I managed to sort the wiring out at the back end today and got the tail fitted.

Trial fit

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1997.jpg

Shrunk and zip tied!

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF2003-1.jpg

That should keep the water out!

I also looked at where I can relocate the remote res. for the rear shock and came up with here

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF1999-1.jpg

I just need to get some rubber and mount properly.

[Albie]

bicycle inner tube works. I have bits of one lying around.

You have some rubber grommets and stepped washers missing in them holes. You maybe able to blag some of a TAILCHOPPER.:D

[retskcid]

Really? The four tail mounting holes? Typical, more parts missing!

[Albie]

You dont necessarily need them they just take the vibration out from shaking your nuts and bolts out. Someones bound to have some knocking about for the price of a stamp. Its a rubber washer about 6mm thick x 25 diameter with a hole and a groove through the middle and sits either side of the hole and a cad plated washer with a tube kind of T shaped in profile which goes through the washer.

[Pedro]

.....Was tempted to rub it down and re-varnish it but lucky enough sold it.



Have you sttarted wood working too now Albie?

:chuckle:

[Albie]

Laquer then LOL I do beg your pardon sir, Now back to my boat building.:mand: :mand:

[retskcid]

Nearly there now (apart from damn exhaust hangers!)

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF2024.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF2025.jpg

I could not resist putting the number plate on (requires revision!) and riding down to the petrol station followed by a quick blast!

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF2028.jpg

Cleaning the started motor contacts has made a massive improvement to the starting - fired almost straight up first time....

[JerryXt]

looking much better now - more balanced

[retskcid]

Yep, cheers Jerry - I think so. I quite like the blue that remains now! :)

[Albie]

You need to change you radiator guard bolts. I got some stainless dome head ones . Otherwise its looking great Rich:yoparty:

[retskcid]

You need to change you radiator guard bolts. I got some stainless dome head ones . Otherwise its looking great Rich:yoparty:

Cheers Albie, yep, once I get it on the road I'll get to the details...

[johndglynn]

That looks great mate, not been on mine since the test ran out and my workload went through the roof in Feb. Got to get it sorted and get the tank etc to Tuthills for paint.

What mirrors are on there now?

[retskcid]

That looks great mate, not been on mine since the test ran out and my workload went through the roof in Feb. Got to get it sorted and get the tank etc to Tuthills for paint.

What mirrors are on there now?

Cheers John. I have some nice aftermarket mirrors that came with the bike, but I'm not a fan of mirrors anyway (get in the way filtering etc!) so I will probably just fit the RHS and see how it looks.

I don't know how you fit it all in John, what with the forums, writing etc, you must be burning the midnight oil. What colour are you going for?

Rich

[NattyBoy]

Looking good mate ! Nice to say the lad on ebay is still giving away free packets of haribos with his tail tidies - :chuckle:

Ref exhaust hangers, have you thought about trying some 916 silencer clamps ? You might need to make a bracket but worth considering ?

[retskcid]

Looking good mate ! Nice to say the lad on ebay is still giving away free packets of haribos with his tail tidies - :chuckle:

Ref exhaust hangers, have you thought about trying some 916 silencer clamps ? You might need to make a bracket but worth considering ?

Cheers. Albie (the star) has made some hangers for me to fit - I haven't had the chance yet because the bike is stuck with the guy (Steve R) who serviced it, with a dead alarm and side stand about to fall off :worried:

Still, I hope to be on the road for May 1st......

[johndglynn]

I don't know how you fit it all in John, what with the forums, writing etc, you must be burning the midnight oil. What colour are you going for?
I don't know how or why either buddy, I must have a screw or ten loose. Breaking this 924 also at the mo and it is freaking me out.

ANYWAY, I am going for flip again but this time it is green to purple, should look good. Will be good to sort the dent in the tank. Got to get these new Michie Road 2s sorted also.

[retskcid]

You have some rubber grommets and stepped washers missing in them holes. You maybe able to blag some of a TAILCHOPPER.:D

I got hold of the correct parts. Do you know whether the stepped washers go in from the top or bottom? Damn Ducati manual is next to useless for these things.

And more setbacks (!):

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=27654

I'll get there.......:rolleyes:

Cheers

Rich

[Albie]

Personally I fit the grommets in the holes and then put the washers in from the side the bolt would enter so it acts as a washer.

I cant help you on the mainstand as I dont use one or particularly want one for the reason they are bulky. As in your case it seems because your threads are knackered. Other than helicoling or maybe extending the sidestand with an extra long bracket so as to tie in with footrest mounts. ???

[gary tompkins]

Yeah I was going to suggest helicoiling the stand mount thread too. Not as easy to do in situ but I'm sure it can be done? Another trick we've used in the past is to use a plug insert. This would involve drilling the hole 5-6mm oversize, and then tapping crankcase to suit a steel plug, which has a thread in the middle to match sidestand bolt. You can use extra strong loctite/epoxy to fix inserts in position & stop them backing out.

I used this method to salvage a pair of brake calipers years back. They had both bleed nipples snapped off in them, so spark eroding, plugging and re-drill/tap was the only option short of slinging them in a skip.

I appreciate this isn't easy to do with motor in frame, but a decent engineers with a bike hoist & kitted machine shop should be able to manage it?

[retskcid]

Yeah, I'll get the thread fixed one day but for now the centre stand is a good stop gap measure that is also very practical! I just wondered if anyone had one fitted with hi level cans. I'll get the hack saw out in the next day or so.

[gary tompkins]

I've got a set of low level termis that may fit if needed?

[retskcid]

I appreciate the offer, thanks. But I'm gonna cut the stand down.

[retskcid]

I'm nearly there now, just the cans to "clean" this weekend and then hopefully on the road for Monday.

I don't think the cut down centre stand looks too bad, and finally Moto Rapido came through with exhaust mounts and the correct spacers for the rearsets, etc (thanks again to Albie for his fab work to help me out).

I've sprayed AFC50 everywhere so hopefully electrical gremlins will be sorted for good.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF2210.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF2211.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF2212.jpg

[gary tompkins]

Rich,

This might sound a daft question.... but why did you cut the horn off the centre stand - other than to perhaps clear the paddock stand it's pictured sitting on?

Won't it make it a bit difficult to use properly? :confused:

[retskcid]

Hahaha, not at all mate. I ran another thread on this to see whether anyone used a centre stand with hi level cans. The problem is that the "horn" stuck out a freaking mile!! I should have taken pictures. It was dangerous to leave it and it looked ridiculous!:eyepopping:

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=27654

The low level cans would appear to be more "down the side" of the bike and you would need the extra horn (!) to clear the can. The stubby version is easy to use with high level cans - probably difficult with std cans tho'.

[retskcid]

Mounting the cans correctly is now holding me up....:grump:

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?p=254507#post254507

[retskcid]

Cheers Scotty, mounted ok the way you suggested - not sure its correct as bands are a little loose, but works fine :thumbsup:

AT LAST!!!! The bike is finished and ready for use tomorrow morning, I couldn't resist a couple of blasts today and I have to say it was worth the effort - absolutely superb!! :yoparty:

This is what its all about, out in the Kent countryside (sorry about poor quality):

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF2219.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF2217.jpg

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii221/retskcid/DSCF2220.jpg

Thanks to everyone for your help.

Rich

[Albie]

Well done Rich it looks great now If you get home at a reasonable time I may pop up and have a look and you can see my effort. Probs Wednesday or thursday evening

[retskcid]

Well done Rich it looks great now If you get home at a reasonable time I may pop up and have a look and you can see my effort. Probs Wednesday or thursday evening

Hahaha, your effort - that's an understatement! My project is very modest in comparison! I get home about 5.30 most evenings, pop in for a coffee, it would be great to see your bike in the flesh.

[Scotty]

humm id maybe have another look at straps if there slightly loose they will rub marks in the carbon if they are,

there is just something inherently odd about a monster on a centre stand

[retskcid]

Yeah, I'll have to check, maybe they're the wrong straps.

Thanks for the comment on the stand, it aint much fun "getting it up" either (its farkin hard work)! I'm gonna get it in somewhere for helicoils asap.