Hello From South Wales! Project Advice Needed! :D.

[500ruk]

Hey guys and gals!

To cut a long story short, i recently bought a new cbr500r, and whilst its an amazing little commuter, it really doesnt have a personality or give me that feeling.....

So, im going to buy an older monster (of some sort) In a project state, and rebuild her for next summer.

What would you buy? Ive got 1000 to spend on the bike, No mechanical knowledge, but im a fast learner :).

I was thinking an m900, but there are so many varients out there that its a bit boggling....

Cheers! Joe

[Nickj]

A biased opinion.. if you're going for older pre-2000 then get a 750, quicker then a 600 and will keep up with bigger. The 600's are fine, just a small motor, you'd notice it if you head up the heads of the valleys. But all, the 600, 750 and 900 do give you an engaging ride.. you have to ride the monsters to get the best out of it and on a twisty B road a good rider on a 600 can really suprise a bigger bike, they can all hack along quite rapidly when you need thenm to.
You could probably get an IE maybe one of the newer generation for the budget you have but it won't be anything like pristine and there are some expensive parts like failed clocks that would get one into uour price range.

[pompone]

A biased opinion.. if you're going for older pre-2000 then get a 750, quicker then a 600 and will keep up with bigger. The 600's are fine, just a small motor, you'd notice it if you head up the heads of the valleys. But all, the 600, 750 and 900 do give you an engaging ride.. you have to ride the monsters to get the best out of it and on a twisty B road a good rider on a 600 can really suprise a bigger bike, they can all hack along quite rapidly when you need thenm to.
You could probably get an IE maybe one of the newer generation for the budget you have but it won't be anything like pristine and there are some expensive parts like failed clocks that would get one into uour price range.

Yeah, but you'll end up having dry clutch envy ;) that said a 900 for a grand (considering if you want to "do it up" you'll need at least as much again) is a big ask..

[500ruk]

oh, id want a dry clutch. Cannot beat that dry clutch clatter :).

The 1000 is for the initial purchase... then itll be spending money monthly getting her ready for next summer...... I shouldve bought one instead of the cbr, but the cbr makes an amazing everyday, easy to ride commuter.

Is there a list of the models of monster on the net somewhere? IE? Theres a few different terms i need to learn i think!

Sorry for being a complete newb guys, im just trying to learn as much as i can :).

[DrD]

For a 900, I reckon you will be closer to £2000 than £1000 even for a rough one ( http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Cars-Motorcycles-Vehicles-/9800/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Ducati+Monster&_sop=2 )
And if you don't get get a 900 you will want the dry clutch (and the rest) eventually.

[500ruk]

Looks like im saving more money! :). Cheers guys

[Dirty]

IE = injected but personally I'd go for carbs. 1k M900 s do pop up quite often. It would take very little man maths to have squeezed one of these 2 into your 1k budget

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ducati-Monster-900-/121202916068?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1c3841bae4

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1993-DUCATI-900-MONSTER-YELLOW-/161137063659?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item25848476eb

[don_matese]

For projects carb'd bikes are much easier to tinker with. I'm not a mechanic (although have a mechanics background and my dad is a mechanic) but I do all my work on the pavement outside the flat and never failed to fix an issue yet. The only time I borrow a garage is when dealing with suspension issues or multiday fixes.

I'm not saying that you cant do the same with an injection bike but theres much more electronically that can go wrong that is a: either a nightmare to diagnose or b: expensive to fix.

[Char]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=331077384460&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

There you go

[500ruk]

The way i read that, is that its not actually an m900, its a 900ss engine ect put into a monster frame..... Too much of a project, and hassle with insurance for me to consider it. Shame really as its a nice looking machine.

[don_matese]

the only difference should be the heads, i think they used the same heads on the m900 as they do on the 750 for a few years, get earlier heads and you'd have the same engine as the 900SS - i may be wrong, one of the more clever ducatistis will be along shortly to refute/confirm my thinking.

[Dirty]

It's running so most of any tricky work is done. Insurance isn't a problem, it's a 900 engine in a 900 monster.

[500ruk]

Ive requested more info off the seller.....

The ad says "enging running when ss was stipped"..... Not a typo, says stipped.

Ill get some more info on it and see what he says. The fact the side plates say monster 620 is something id investigate too. :)

[Dirty]

Ah yes, punctuation is the key. I read it as 'have key, engine running.' but that may well be wrong. Luckily he doesn't have an uncle Jack who needs help off his horse :)

[500ruk]

Ill just wait for his response..... If its all there and i can get it dirt cheap then i might go for it.....

[utopia]

I'm a biased 750 fan, in the same way as Nick.
Had mine 7yrs now, and still not hankering after more power ....though I do avoid motorways.
Same insurance group as the 600 too, so a little cheaper to run.
Also, they're perhaps not so lumpy around town as the bigger motors.
They do have a wet clutch, but this is easier to live with and requires less maintenance than the clankers which seem to require constant fettling.
Carby models are probably simpler to fettle and not so expensive as injected (ie) models when they go wrong, but they do suffer from terrible carb icing once the autumn sets in. A dose of pro.fst in the fuel sorts this though, but it does put your fuel costs up.

Personally, I run a carby 750 alongside a single cyl trailie for commuting and winter use.

[500ruk]

Does nobody have a lead on one at all? Ebay seems quite dry right now!

[Albie]

Does nobody have a lead on one at all? Ebay seems quite dry right now!

They don't hang around for long. If you had £1800 you could have a mint 900ie one off Scrapps that stupidly he is selling at that price without any work needed.

I think I would like that one for £800 as seems a bargain to me.

[500ruk]

Yeah if one comes up i like, im going to jump on it! :).

To be honest pal, and as stupid as it sounds, i dont want a perfect one. Id rather spend the same money and have to work on it...... Weird eh?

[Dirty]

Tell you what. You buy a perfect one then let me play with it for a month :)

[Albie]

Yeah if one comes up i like, im going to jump on it! :).

To be honest pal, and as stupid as it sounds, i dont want a perfect one. Id rather spend the same money and have to work on it...... Weird eh?

Me too. I like polishing turds it seems. Much more fun.

[utopia]

That doesn't sound stupid at all, though I would add that you might be best to at least get a sound runner in original condition rather than a full project with its attendant hidden problems.
You'll probably end up working on the bike quite a lot anyway, as they are addictively mod.able, so better to spend time doing that.
The good news is that the 2-valve engines are actually delightfully easy to work on, with the possible exception of the desmo valve clearances.
You should find one at this time of the year.

Early carbed motors had different cases, an internal clutch slave cylinder and a single phase alternator.
Later carbies had external clutch slaves (easier to upgrade to reduce the heavy lever action) and three phase alternators.
The differences are most visible from the lefthand side of the cases.
Of the two, I'd pick a later one, but its not a huge issue.

A carby monster is actually a great budget bike, if you service it yourself. ....apart from the expensive modding, that is.

[500ruk]

That doesn't sound stupid at all, though I would add that you might be best to at least get a sound runner in original condition rather than a full project with its attendant hidden problems.
You'll probably end up working on the bike quite a lot anyway, as they are addictively mod.able, so better to spend time doing that.
The good news is that the 2-valve engines are actually delightfully easy to work on, with the possible exception of the desmo valve clearances.
You should find one at this time of the year.

Early carbed motors had different cases, an internal clutch slave cylinder and a single phase alternator.
Later carbies had external clutch slaves (easier to upgrade to reduce the heavy lever action) and three phase alternators.
The differences are most visible from the lefthand side of the cases.
Of the two, I'd pick a later one, but its not a huge issue.

A carby monster is actually a great budget bike, if you service it yourself. ....apart from the expensive modding, that is.

Thankyou for your advice! I was planning on getting something that ran well, and then taking it from there.....

I dont mind how beaten up or neglected its been during its life. Its going back to frame to be powdercoated, painted, polished, and given a good overhaul! Like ive said, the cbr will do me until next summer, and im lucky in that i was left a really good workshop (building in a field) by my grandfather which ive been cleaning out and painting ready for the monster :)

Just need the bike and a haynes manual now :D

[Nickj]

the only difference should be the heads, i think they used the same heads on the m900 as they do on the 750 for a few years, get earlier heads and you'd have the same engine as the 900SS - i may be wrong, one of the more clever ducatistis will be along shortly to refute/confirm my thinking.

There are yes two types of head that the 900 750 can share. One has smaller valves and a lot of the monsters have these, most of the 900 supersports had the bigger valves and ??? the 750SS did too (not sure about the 750). As standard it doesn't really dump out more power but it can if you have the heads flowed.
The big valve heads are usually jumped on quite quickly.
The dry/wet clutches are all meted to the same basic motor block, the difference is in the cases and a few items.. so you can retro fit a dry clutch to wet clutch model given that you can get the parts and get some spacers spun up.
Early monsters have carbs, after 2000/1 they are fuel injection.
Early nonsters have mechanical clock(s) late are electronic (= expensive)
Early monsters have simple ignitor control ignition later injection series have ECUs
Some have single front disks (600, 750) but may have twin, the 900 usually has twin.
The rear brakes, especially the underslung ones are a right PIA, it takes a lot of effort to get one that isn't just on or off.
Otherwise they stayed very similar in looks until the fat trellis came in

[500ruk]

the main thing that draws me to the 900 (apart from the power and dry clutch!) is the dual front disks..... the m600 looks great, apart from that front wheel (in my opinion)

[Dirty]

adding disc and calliper is not the biggest challenge!

http://s18.postimg.org/k64iuldo9/image.jpg

[500ruk]

Thats a 600?! :O Can you please PM me with details of how to do that? Id really appreciate it! :)

[Mr Gazza]

Hello 500ruk.

Sorry to join in with this so late...I was more or less in your position mid Summer, looking for a Monster, preferably cheap so I could apply some "self expression".

I was lucky to be able to "jump" on a 900Sie which was advertised on this forum. (Would have been very happy with a carby 750, but hey.!)

Like yourself I had allowed about a grand for the bike, in order to do a bit of work.
I had to pay a bit more than a grand for it even as a non runner (non-specifc injector problems) with a leaky petrol tank and a lot of erratic dismantling.

It cost me about £200 to get it home. The fix was very easy though. £40 to get the tank mended and £3.50 for a new connector to an injector. Then just cleaning and putting back together, and luckily it was complete, so nothing tricky to source.

I did have to buy a new battery and soon after the MOT I put new tyres on it....So another £200 plus..Oh and obviously there was the Oil, filters and fluids..

The main mission was to get some miles in before the winter to prove it and make some decisions as to what to do with it for next Summer.

Okay here's the advice bit..

To get it to a nice rideable and MOTed condition it cost me roughly £1700-£1800.
So from where you are looking, I would say with some experience that that Bike of Scrapps is a bloody good bet for a starting price.
All you need to do is MOT it, or just tax it if it already has a MOT.?
Then do as I did and ride it, as is.
You will learn a lot about what you want from it and what you want to do in the way of mods.
The model in question happens to be a 900sie (I think it is the "s"..?) Like mine.
I did not fully understand what the Sie was all about at the time, having previously owned a carby M900.
It turns out that the Sie is a stonking model to have, you get fully adjustable Forks, Ohlins fully adjustable rear shock, lots of Carbon as standard and the benifit of early, proven yet simple injection that is easy to look after and mend.
Also the speedo is still mechanical (And so the odo and trip is too) although the tacho is electronic, but it does not have the fussy all electronic instrumentation of the later models.

I got mine into quite good shape over only 4 months and about 750 miles, and to be honest I should have left it at that, but...........It's all in bits having powder coating, nuts and bolts, polishing and spraying...AAaaargh it's a disease..
..But no matter what you get you will soon be in love with it..Good luck with the search.

[clankie]

hi 500ruk

fitting dual discs to a 600 is easy but you will need a larger master cilynder .if you look in the forum bike section and look for my thread on rebuilding my 600 dark i posted quite a few pics on the rebuild .

[500ruk]

Thanks for your input :) Ive messaged scrapps with an offer!

GETTING EXCITED NOW!

[clankie]

you wont regret getting a monster they are a fun bike to ride !!!!!!

[Mr Gazza]

OOps...Just reminded myself about Scrapps bike and realised that it it not the Sie but in fact an ie.
It is still a great bike at a bargain price....Don't think you will be in the least bit dissapointed.. :biggrin:

[Geoff Ives]

Just my thoughts.
I bought a 750 for prefrence. My Monster is for town and coutry use. By that I mean that for local rural use and in town.
Why a M750. The 600 just dosen't have the punch and the 900 is a little bit 'grabby' in town.
The 750 has a wet clutch and while I like the dry clutch chatter on my 748 and ST2 I don't like the noise at traffic lights and in other town use.
The M750 has a 5 speed gearbox and, frankly, I find that best for the use I need my Monstert for.
The M750 is rarer than the 600 or 900 models and you might find it takes time to find one. I did.