Dead.... expired, an ex Monster...

[banditloon]

Her Holyness, Nessie of Bologna decided to blow her engine into two pieces last night on the A30 near Terminal 4.

Am I sad, not really. She chose a good time to let the contents of the rear cylinder and oil sump disappear... All over the unsuspecting Honda Pan Euro rider behind me.... My bike is quality :chuckle:

Back to plan A for 2009, strip the bike down, send the engine off to be fettled somewhere and get the frame, wheels and forks looking like new shiny things :D

[ladybird]

oh bugger.

[muthaducka]

Not what you need but at least you're alright.

Sounds like it's one step ahead of you, I guess you've got no excuse but to fettle it now. Keep us posted

[slob]

Oh bugger indeed, just add it to the list I guess...

Where shall I start??

Well, Her Holyness has over 60k on the clock, I bought her with just over 30k in 2006. She had been used and abused before I got her, living down in darkest Cornwall, being attacked by the sea breezes... ect ect...

To date, what I have replaced,

Gear selector
Clutch master cylinder
Clutch slave cylinder
2 clutches
rear wheel bearings
fork seals
belts
countless sparkies.
2 batteries
starter solenoid
oil cooler hoses

Things to do

New forks (they are pitted to wotsit now and need new shiney bits)
leaking petrol tank from the hinge
rear wheel bearings or even rear wheel
front cylinder needs tlc
new air box and battery holder (last battery leaked and the acid has eaten it, and all the paint off of the frame and engine)
rear shock
belts

As for my old Blandit, 76k in 2 years :) The joys of communting!!

[Nickj]

Hope it wasn't shiney new oil, that'd be a real waste!

Still sounds like a bit of a pheonix thing going on though, luckily without the flames :chuckle:

[gremlin]

That's rather sad, bless her at least you're ok and no harm was done to anyone else. Pm if you need help with engine, tother half has got pretty good at rebuilding them and now part times at a race engineers so has all the equipment his little heart desires including dyno.

[CK & AK]

..and after all that you want through to stop the various oil leaks mate........

Sad to hear, but glad she did it in spectacular styleee :D

CK

[banditloon]

Start of the days work....

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Image0037-1.jpg

The offending broken cylinder head studs

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Image0054.jpg

Time for some lunch (and some proper work)....

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Image0051.jpg

And finally, given up for the day...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Image0057.jpg

[banditloon]

That's rather sad, bless her at least you're ok and no harm was done to anyone else. Pm if you need help with engine, tother half has got pretty good at rebuilding them and now part times at a race engineers so has all the equipment his little heart desires including dyno.

Cheers Gremlin, I'll keep that in mind :D

..and after all that you want through to stop the various oil leaks mate........

Sad to hear, but glad she did it in spectacular styleee :D

CK

The recovery guy couldn't believe that I was sitting at the side of the A30, laughing about my bike blowing up and covering a Honda in smoke and oil :chuckle:

Hope it wasn't shiney new oil, that'd be a real waste!

Still sounds like a bit of a pheonix thing going on though, luckily without the flames :chuckle:

Just done a filter and oil change! A fair bit of Shells finest was wasted on the Honda :( Luckily the oil level is just above minimum at the moment, so she kept some in reserve :D

[JerryXt]

good man! Does this mean we won't be seeing you at Box much this year?

[MagnaJeep]

Try to hide all cable ties by attaching them to the inner struts,
it's really worth the extra work, especially on a silver frame.

It took me and my father two hours, some soldering was involved
extending two sensor wires, which is not really necessary, but
makes things easier.

[banditloon]

good man! Does this mean we won't be seeing you at Box much this year?

I may make a few more appearances in the hair dresser mobile :D

[banditloon]

Try to hide all cable ties by attaching them to the inner struts,
it's really worth the extra work, especially on a silver frame.

It took me and my father two hours, some soldering was involved
extending two sensor wires, which is not really necessary, but
makes things easier.

Top tip :thumbsup:, plus the old beast needs a few bits of re-wiring (CDI units mainly). While the engine is away, the frame and wheels will be sorted :D

[gremlin]

The frame lugs do make a difference, it's so much neater, we welded ours on before powder coating so they look like they're supposed to be there. The powdercoating chaps down the road from us were quite cheap and if you've seen littlejimmys bike you can see the quality. Hopefully if you're replacing pistons you'll be ok, apparently 600 ones are non existant, we only found ours because James knew a chap who knew a chap who happened to have some stashed in a shed. Not sure if 900 ones are so rare.

[banditloon]

Not much happening. Due to the car deciding to colapse its brake hoses internally, thus locking on the front n/s calliper, and trying to set fire to the brake pads, I've had to put more time in to tinkering with the car than the old Monster.

But now she looks like a new Monster....

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Image0063.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Image0066.jpg

(ok the 696 is not mine, but Moto Rapido shouldn't have delivered it to me, and leaving petrol in the tank, and the keys..... )

[banditloon]

Finally, I did something constructive on the rebuild (nearly two months after removing 80% of the electrics!).

The Termis have been cleaned!! Spaghetti pipes are now in the office, awaiting for that elusive quiet period of the week where no one disturbs me...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Image0083.jpg

And some new leathers appeared also. I best get this rebuild completed!!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Image0081.jpg

[banditloon]

Blimey, it's nearly a year since Her Holyness blew up on a Pan Euro!! Nice!

Hello everyone in UKMOC land!!! :D I'm still alive, just some issues have overtaken the project. Fingers crossed after the 10th I can start getting the old beast back into a bike shaped piece of art......

A sneak preview of the work done before my dad passed away last month;

Engine has been rebuilt, everything rebuilt, adjusted and put back in one case. It only took 4 months of quiet work time to get the 8 engine studs out.... Why oh why did Ducati choose to use something not cheese on the bits that break! New belts, new piston rings, valves all adjusted.

Forks now have nice shiney new fork legs! They just need fitting.

New air box fitted, carbs cleaned out and are now shiney.

New Pirelli boots fitted and brakes sorted.

Petrol leak being sorted at the moment.

Just a shame there is a ZRX in the way of Her Holyness, otherwise should would've been ready for the Monster weekender.

[Saint aka ML]

Blimey, it's nearly a year since Her Holyness blew up on a Pan Euro!! Nice!

Hello everyone in UKMOC land!!! :D I'm still alive, just some issues have overtaken the project. Fingers crossed after the 10th I can start getting the old beast back into a bike shaped piece of art......

A sneak preview of the work done before my dad passed away last month;

Engine has been rebuilt, everything rebuilt, adjusted and put back in one case. It only took 4 months of quiet work time to get the 8 engine studs out.... Why oh why did Ducati choose to use something not cheese on the bits that break! New belts, new piston rings, valves all adjusted.

Forks now have nice shiney new fork legs! They just need fitting.

New air box fitted, carbs cleaned out and are now shiney.

New Pirelli boots fitted and brakes sorted.

Petrol leak being sorted at the moment.

Just a shame there is a ZRX in the way of Her Holyness, otherwise should would've been ready for the Monster weekender.

My 1993 m900 killed it's main bearings about 3 weeks ago. It is currently in pieces waiting pickup on friday. I should have her ready by end of May.
If finance allow all in new paint job if not just frame.

I got a 944 big bore kit left over ......

[banditloon]

Well, 14 months now since the rear cylinder head studs snapped, and still the end is not yet in sight.

But I have bought some shiny carbon things....

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Monster%20OC/Image0270.jpg

And as I was on my way home, I decided to use some of my visiting rights at the workshop.....

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Monster%20OC/Image0274.jpg

So I may as well look forward to next summer, seeing as summer 2010 was last week ;)

[banditloon]

Finally, after nearly 14 months of the Monster sitting around in a warehouse in assorted A4 paperboxes and then being moved to a 'proper' work shop, the Monster is alive and kicking.

So far she has had;

a full service, new tyres, front brake overhaul, new fork tubes, petrol leak fixed, and not forgetting replacing all the cylinder head studs.

The old beast passed the MOT at the second attempt. First attempt was aborted due to two missing bolts from the suspension hoop (opps)......

It's nice to have her back working, and after getting her back to the warehouse, she was pulled apart, rear light was swapped for an LED unit, new tea tray fitted and carbon clutch cover fitted. I've just ordered some new frame plugs, Oberon indicators and now just looking at trying to get a new screen...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Monster%20OC/IMG_0111.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Monster%20OC/IMG_0113-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Monster%20OC/28943_402435156606_722626606_473599.jpg

Finally, back at Box Hill in the sunshine!!

Just need to get the wheels sorted, polished or powder coated black again... hmmmmmm

[barbican]

Good to see you both back on the road - and she's looking good as well

[Liz]

Finally, after nearly 14 months of the Monster sitting around in a warehouse in assorted A4 paperboxes and then being moved to a 'proper' work shop, the Monster is alive and kicking.

So far she has had;

a full service, new tyres, front brake overhaul, new fork tubes, petrol leak fixed, and not forgetting replacing all the cylinder head studs.

The old beast passed the MOT at the second attempt. First attempt was aborted due to two missing bolts from the suspension hoop (opps)......

It's nice to have her back working, and after getting her back to the warehouse, she was pulled apart, rear light was swapped for an LED unit, new tea tray fitted and carbon clutch cover fitted. I've just ordered some new frame plugs, Oberon indicators and now just looking at trying to get a new screen...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Monster%20OC/IMG_0111.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Monster%20OC/IMG_0113-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Monster%20OC/28943_402435156606_722626606_473599.jpg

Finally, back at Box Hill in the sunshine!!

Just need to get the wheels sorted, polished or powder coated black again... hmmmmmm

Looking great! Wish my M600 looked like that! 'L' reg??? Mine's an 'N'. I guess I've got to blow it up and get it rebuilt!!!! I love the back light! Used to go to Box Hill on my TS100 LOL!!

[jerry]

Lovely nice job.

[banditloon]

Her Holyness is no longer dead. She is alive and kicking, after a faltering hour and a bit spent in Snells workshop.

After the front mudguard snapped clean off (all typed in a Dirty Harry voice), and a quick trawl through our favourite friend of ebay, she now looks like this.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/Monster%20OC/IMG_0305.jpg

I can see the winter being spent looking for more carbon bits... Damn you Ebay!!! ;)

[Yorkie]

Looking good there!

Yorkie

[banditloon]

A quick update is required for the old Beasty from Bologna...

She had a fall this week, due to pilot and driver error. Muddy gravel covered road and a car driver scared of a bus! Luckily, the crash bungs took the brunt of the impact (my left bum cheek and right leg!). She suffered a broken bar end mirror, bent brake lever and also picked up a battle scar, a small dent to the tank.

All my worst fears went through my head before I got a look at her in daylight. She's had it, no more Nessie, but she proved she is a tough old Monster!

A quick ten minutes to clean off the grease, fuel and road crap she picked up, the spare bar end mirror fitted (I always seem to have spares of these......) and apart from requiring a lever, she is back in full shouting and working order!

As the great quote from The Life of Brian goes "You lucky lucky bas***d!!!"

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5542761961_c039a2f2e9_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60599983@N06/5542761961/)
by Ducatiloon (http://www.flickr.com/people/60599983@N06/), on Flickr

And I've just noticed!! A bit more of an update, the front stock indicators have finally been ditched for a set of Oberon LED flashy things! And now I can't think of anything else to buy, apart from a brake lever.

[banditloon]

I've been out faffing today. A new picture of #237

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5564906938_80e8515e58_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60599983@N06/5564906938/)
by Ducatiloon (http://www.flickr.com/people/60599983@N06/), on Flickr

[Albie]

I've been out faffing today. A new picture of #237

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5564906938_80e8515e58_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60599983@N06/5564906938/)
by Ducatiloon (http://www.flickr.com/people/60599983@N06/), on Flickr

Looking good again. Looks like Brooklands to me.

[banditloon]

She was not on the banking at all..... ;)

[banditloon]

I hope so, but "carbonitus" and modding never really finishes.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/002-3.jpg

Today I feel I am reaching the final stages of Her Holyness' restoration. It's been a long journey, well to High Wycombe and back, just to pick up a rear wheel.

The old girl failed her MOT with excessive play on the rear wheel bearings. After replacing all the wheel bearings and spacers and getting an MOT, there was still a bit of play on the rear wheel but not as much as first time. Either I could bodge together a cunning piece of bearing holding trickery, or just give up, dump the rear wheel and replace with a newish one.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/014.jpg

Fifty odd quid later and a trip to High Wycombe, I have pick up a rather good condition rear wheel, just requiring fixtures and a black rubber round thing, and some powder coating. A trip to the local powder coaters is penned in for the morning on the way to work, a strip down of the rear end and clean up of the swing arm, hugger ect and then fingers crossed, all back together in time for any summer weather that is due our way sometime soon.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/011-3.jpg
Hopefully it'll be like unveiling a new bike when the cover comes off!

[JerryT]

Nice work - you must be feeling rather satisfied.

Now promise us you'll avoid Pan European's for a while...

:chuckle:

[banditloon]

I hope the cylinder head studs hold together for another 17 years before I meet another Pan Euro on the A30 ;)

[banditloon]

I took Her Holyness round to my local MOT test centre to be greeted with a failure sheet. Excessive play in the rear wheel bearings. Ok, I thought, the bearings have been in the wheel a few years, done a few miles, lets get some new ones. Off I head on a trip to Moto Rapido, picked up some new bearings and rear wheel spacers and sorted. Or so I thought! Took my Monster back to the MOT centre after fitting the new bits and again, failed! More scratching of head was required, then I decided to double check my spannering from the night before. Off the wheel comes, and off rolls one of the bearings under the sofa in the secret workshop! The brake disc hub is deceased, cream crackered, ********, falling apart, dead, broken! As the rest of the wheel looks like a bad day in a paint removing factory, I decided a job for the winter needs doing right now, well more yesterday!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/003-3.jpg

The poor old Brembo had given up. 18 years of abuse. Around 70,000 miles covered, left to rot in Cornwall somewhere on the back of the Monster. The poor old thing needs retiring. Thank you old Brembo for keeping my bike upright (most of the time) and rolling along. A quick trawl through eBay and a replacement was found.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/014.jpg

A trip to High Wycombe on a Sunday morning and this 'new' wheel was swapped for £50. A few phone calls on Monday and a local powder coaters was found and I ordered all the new final drive dampeners (cush drives to me) and disc bolts were ordered from Bedfont Ducati.

The rear wheel was picked up from the powder coaters a week later. The rear wheel looks good, a few little blemishes from some marks that were already in the wheel, other than that, it's a vast improvement on the original wheel!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/028-1.jpg

After a quick trip to Feltham Tyre Centre to get the tyre swapped over and Bedfont Ducati (I still can't help thinking that is funny, a Ducati garage in Bedfont... Strange!!) to pick up the new final drive dampeners and disc bolts and the wheel was back fitted in it's rightful place! No play in the bearings at all! A years medical passed and now the old girl is back on the road.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/002-6.jpg

I have ridden the bike home tonight as it seemed to be staying dry for a change. The old bike felt better than ever, I hate to admit it, even better than after having a full service at Rosso Corse!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/004-6.jpg

After my (forced) early refurbishment of the rear wheel, it's time to get back on to planning the refurb for the front end. The front wheel needs powder coating / painting, overhaul of the braking system, and I might change the clocks back to the standard speedo / idiot light set up, oh and not forgetting a respray on the tank. One thing though, I can finally see the end of this madness!!

Then I might start rebuilding the Bandit... Or not!

[banditloon]

Just a quick update to point out that if you don't use a throughly loved 1993 Monster 900 for 6 weeks, it will not start when you decide it's time for bike playtime! Poxy temperamental Italian thing!

Oh well, I'll just have to use the dinky, but not so dinky MINI....

[banditloon]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/009-3.jpg

This very spot on the 23rd December 2006. This is where the money was exchanged for the key to Her Holyness.

In five years, a lot has changed. My wallet has stayed empty, I've got less hair, a fatter belly, different leathers and gloves and promotion at work. One of the oldest Monsters in the village is still alive, and she is mine! :D

So far this year she has been to Ness Point, Land's End and The Lizard. Three out of four of the most extreme points of England is not too bad for the old 1993 Monster!

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/IMG_0016-1.jpg
Land's End.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/061-1.jpg
The Lizard

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/012-1.jpg
Ness Point

Next year, well apart from the Horsham Piazza Italia run and Auto Italia at Brooklands, the rest will be an adventure (and without the MINI, I hope!).

As for changes on Nessie, well apart from a service is now due, new tyres, MOT and insurance, I do have a couple of other plans to freshen up the 18 year old lump! Updates will appear in due corse! ;)

[banditloon]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/banditloon/009-3.jpg

This very spot on the 23rd December 2006. This is where the money was exchanged for the key to Her Holyness.



It was about this time, five years ago I returned back to Walton with Her Holyness. Cold, wet, tired, hungry, back hurting, but hey, I had got the bike I had always wanted since I past my bike test in 1993!! :D

And still she is alive!!

Merry Christmas UKMOCers!! :D

[chris yeatman]

Top work, merry xmas.

[manwithredbike]

i remember reading this thread a few years ago and thinking, sh1t - wouldn't fancy that. now i'm in the middle of a top end rebuild which i am doing on my own and actually enjoying. good to see you're rolling again. well done and the bike is looking sweet
(spooky but mine now also has a small black bellypan and sawn-off black front mudguard and c/f cans)