Not another build thread......

[Flip]

...but after eighteen years (sixteen in my care) my '97 900 is starting to need a little bit of TLC.

In all that time 'she' has been there, a constant no matter what was along side her in the garage over the years whether it be an off roader for some dirty weekend fun or something sporty in the latest sexy bodywork.

My wife has always described her as 'my girlfriend' so if that is the case then my little race bike, 'Bella' is definitely my Mistress- at fifty this year definitely the older lady but still beautiful and able to turn heads and of course the one where presents are lavished upon her and she is taken away for weekends as often as I can.

Then my little P200 Vespa ....a (Roman) holiday romance, classically Italian and simply fun to be with in the sun.

But back to my Monster, picked up and put down but never really complained other than the toll of time. Still too good to need a complete restoration and to be honest I wouldn't want to lose all the originality and so a bit of a refresh is in order.

First of all, after Maxton having done such an excellent job on the suspension of my Mach 1 it seemed logical for them to have the forks of my Monster and so a few weeks and a chunk of cash later they were back and looking better than ever on the outside and all Maxton magic on the inside. Along with the forks my Nitron Sport rear shock deserved a service after ten years and so that is currently back with them for a refurb and as soon as it is back and I have some more to update I will post up further instalments of the refresh.

So we quite quickly went from this:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/IMG_3646_zps0z5r02q3.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/IMG_3646_zps0z5r02q3.jpg.html)

To this:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/IMG_3921_zpselrzuiqc.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/IMG_3921_zpselrzuiqc.jpg.html)

And got these along the way:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Maxton_zps7d90c0ba.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Maxton_zps7d90c0ba.jpg.html)

[Dirty]

Nice one, looking forward to this.

I've just realised what my garage is obviously missing. Surely no garage is complete without a hookah pipe :mand:

[Flip]

I've just realised what my garage is obviously missing. Surely no garage is complete without a hookah pipe :mand:

Well yes probably but you also need a Glitter Ball and some music to work by-

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Garage_zpspmbce0ws.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Garage_zpspmbce0ws.jpg.html)

[Flip]

Got a few bits done yesterday,
Replaced a lot of the original corroded fixings that had not already been changed for stainless for fresh new ones and then got a nice new pair of Michelin Pilot 3's fitted onto my wheels which I had previously stripped and gave a proper clean up to along with the discs including painting the rear disc to match the fronts and remounting them using lovely Ti fixings which are cheaper than buying the originals from Ducati anyway-

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/IMG_4008_zpsjbmec3kf.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/IMG_4008_zpsjbmec3kf.jpg.html)

New Afam sprocket +2 teeth fitted as well-

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/IMG_4010_zpswkmnfshk.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/IMG_4010_zpswkmnfshk.jpg.html)

Lots more to follow this week as the parts mount up waiting to be fitted once my refurbished rear shock arrives back from Nitron

[Dirty]

Where did you get the Ti fixings and can you remember what size is needed?

[Flip]

Yes I dealt with a chap by the name of Derrick at DurhamDucs who gave a bit of a discount for a full set front and rear (18 bolts) after mentioning UKMOC.
Worth bearing in mind is that they are of the later Torx type dome heads rather than the original Allen low profile cap head should that be an issue for anyone but still in the correct M8x20mm size for most Monsters

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-DUCATI-MONSTER-800-1000-S2R-S4-S4RS-S4R-TITANIUM-FRONT-BRAKE-DISC-BOLTS-/170756634297?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item27c1e376b9

I plan to give a list at the end of this thread of all the people that I have used during this refresh who, in my opinion are worth dealing with and ordering from so that others doing similar work can at least contact for quotes and then make their own minds up etc.

[Dirty]

Thanks Flip :)

[Mr Gazza]

Oh goody another build thread.

Very nice and worthwhile work so far Flip, but ha ha you're busted.


Surely no garage is complete without a hookah pipe :mand:

[Flip]

My shock arrived back from Nitron today after having a full rebuild and service along with the damaged top section having been replaced free of charge due to the design having changed to correct the problem of it coming into contact of the top pivot. I have also gone up a weight on the spring as that was easier than me losing some so it is now Nitron's trademark Turquoise instead of the black I had previously.

In addition to this I have decided to pay homage to the 888 that was the original donor of the Monster frame and have painted the suspension hoop accordingly and fitted nice new rod end bearings from McGill Motorsport.

I think it will be a busy night in the garage tonight!!

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/IMG_4016_zpsjmb7fdvz.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/IMG_4016_zpsjmb7fdvz.jpg.html)

[Darren69]

Wot no jack up kit? :look:

[Flip]

Well yes I do, a couple of months back Rich (Louigi Moto) sent me a pair of his jack up spacers to try but with so many other changes going on with the bike during this refresh I think it best to stick with how I had the geometry set (for around the last fourteen years) until I have tried it properly.
To use the spacers would mean my new rod ends would need to be cut down as they only have room for 20mm of thread but raise the hoop to rod eye centre by a considerable amount more than the 32mm I was previously running it with. In addition to that I also have 20mm (four lines showing) of my forks pulled through the yoke and with those now fitted with Maxton internals I expect things to feel rather different to the choppy Marzocchi units they once were and as previously mentioned I have had a stiffer spring fitted to my freshly serviced rear shock as well.

Then there are new tyres (Pilot 3's) that I haven't used before, which in an ideal world I would have waited before fitting but because the old Pirellis had had it I didn't really have a choice with a MoT needed when I'm finished.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/IMG_4018_zpsvemxjxkq.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/IMG_4018_zpsvemxjxkq.jpg.html)

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/IMG_4020_zps5d1qyxu3.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/IMG_4020_zps5d1qyxu3.jpg.html)

The main thing I know I can draw on despite these changes all at once is that after owning the bike for so long I know it pretty well plus I know how I want it to ride (which is a personal thing to all of us) along with my changes over the years being written down so I can re-trace my adjustments or even refit the original hoop with the old rods ends still in place if need be.

[utopia]

All sounds very sensible, Flip. I'd do the same.

I'm very interested to hear how you find the new Maxton fork set-up.
I've gradually become pretty convinced to go down the same route with my 750.
Its just a matter of time (time being money, that is).

Sounds like you have a very similar relationship with your Monster as I do with mine.
Except that yours has been over almost twice the number of years.

[Flip]

Sounds like you have a very similar relationship with your Monster as I do with mine.
Except that yours has been over almost twice the number of years.

Yes I would say so- it is quite simply the most fun I have had on a motorcycle since I started riding thirty odd years ago. It was bought new at the end of 1997 by a mate I met in September '98 when we started our C&G courses at Merton college.

I was riding a GSX-R750WT back then but had loved the look of the Monster since they had come out but sports bikes were all the thing back then- I had tried a 996 around that time but didn't get on with compared with the Gix. However, when my mate said he was selling up to move abroad it was a fairly easy decision to buy it from him and it has just escalated from there really.

I did buy an S4 (another story there) with the idea of riding them back to back for a number of weeks to decide which to keep as on paper the S4 was much faster with more modern suspension, better build quality etc. etc. but there was just something about the old air cooled motor that captivated me and has done ever since.

The Monster has always shared garage space with a number of other bikes over the years but now it is an all Italian affair with my little racer, a P200E Vespa (which is work in progress) along with my little Ducati outboard boat motor.

[Flip]

Anyway back on track and a good couple of days playing with my spanners mean the brakes are clean with the corroded joining bolts have been replaced with the correct low profile cap head bolts in stainless steel and the fluid changed and bled. The forks are back on the bike and the front wheel is back in.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Forks%20n%20Brakes_zpsyvfwv7el.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Forks%20n%20Brakes_zpsyvfwv7el.jpg.html)

Next was to fit some Renthal Ultra Low handlebars in black to replace the original (well, factory recalled) silver alloy ones. A pair of individual clamps replace the original single one and a some gold DP bar ends complete the look.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Handlebars_zpspefwv6xs.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Handlebars_zpspefwv6xs.jpg.html)

Then onto some more shiny things- my new header pipes and freshly fully serviced Nitron shock.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Exhaust_zpsqzrsp4nk.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Exhaust_zpsqzrsp4nk.jpg.html)

Tonights' mission is to fit the suspension hoop, get the rear wheel in place and fit my new chain so it's off to the garage now......

[spacemonkey]

Can the bolts that join the caliper halves be changed without breaking any seals..?

[Flip]

Can the bolts that join the caliper halves be changed without breaking any seals..?

Well I guess there is always a risk of a leak but I got away with it by changing them one at a time but I was doing a fluid change anyway and so swapped the bolts while there was no pressure in the system.

One thing worth noting if you go for it is that the old ones are pretty tight in there and the heads are not the best so I used a good fitting 1/2'' drive allen key socket on a breaker bar rather than a ratchet to undo them.

I got them here-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DUCATI-MONSTER-900-750-BREMBO-STAINLESS-STEEL-FRONT-BRAKE-CALIPER-PINCH-BOLTS-/321738291598?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4ae918b98e

I also got an extra couple for the rear caliper which aren't the low profile heads as standard but they look better when they are.

[Darren69]

That's how I did mine too on the S4 and 748, one at a time with some copperslip on the new ones . Didn't even bother draining the system. The old ones were white with corrosion on the threads but once you crack them undone initially, they come out easily.

[spacemonkey]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a go.

[Dukedesmo]

I swapped the bolts in my Monster's rear caliper for stainless steel as the old ones were a tad manky looking.

I split the caliper so that I could clean the pistons etc. and reassembled using the old seals (too impatient/lazy to look for/wait for new ones) and it works fine with no leaks - the internal seals are only a couple of 'O' rings anyway so would be cheap but you may have a problem finding an 'official' supply due to Ducati/Brembo's liability (profit?) policy...

[Darren69]

I've seen seal kits are available on ebay. the ones for the 4 pot front calipers are 27.00 each.

[yellowjonboy]

like the look of your clocks with the rev counter whats it from are they a pain to fit.cheers...john

[jonzi]

like the look of your clocks with the rev counter whats it from are they a pain to fit.cheers...john

And does it have a gear position indicator?

[Dirty]

And does it have a gear position indicator?

Yep, and it has 10 gears!

[Darren69]

It looks like one of Ducati Performance type Tacho kits that were available back in the day. They rarely come up for sale s/hand and are no longer in production. But you might get lucky. Someone had one for sale on here not long ago, don't know it it went, check the for sale section.

[Flip]

Shhhhhhhh ...Don't mention G.P.I's (I've abbreviated it so no one knows I talking about gear position indicators!), it doesn't have one- but I've just about got the hang of it now.

While I was swapping the caliper pinch bolts I also replaced the bleed nipples for some stainless ones too.

As Darren says the rev counter is indeed a Ducati Performance one fitted by the supplying dealer (P&H Motorcycles, Crawley) when it was new- even back then I think they were about £300 (I have the original invoice with it itemised in my paperwork file).

Like a lot of the accessories from the original catalogue you don't see too many things for sale and when they do come up they vary a lot in price- a non working tacho sold for a little under £60 on eBay recently.

[Darren69]

Are they the DP rearsets and passenger pegs you've got too? Mine look similar, the rear passenger pegs are identical to mine, but your front ones are way more fancy, mine are similar to the rear ones, just plain and I've never been 100% sure where they actually came from originally. Just curious as I suspect mine are a very early model. As Flip says all DP stuff was only available for the time the model was in production after that it was no more, so some bits are quite rare to find but there are some places which specialise and stockpile all the new old stock, eg Forza Moto

[Flip]

Yes Darren they are DP rear sets with a polished finish I have had them for years so perhaps they changed the design a little or perhaps it changed if the actual manufacturer changed over the years?

The passenger hangers are anodised in a matt silver grey which again I bought years ago to enable me to take a pillion occasionally as prior to that I had some home made brackets to hang the exhausts with but no rear pegs of course.

When I bought them (secondhand) it was as a complete set with front rear sets but I preferred the ones I already had so sold the rider rear sets to someone here who was going Desmo Due racing.

[Flip]

My homage to the 888 (it looks a lot brighter in the photo due to flash but it is the right shade of yellow honestly):

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Hoop_zps8jbk7d8b.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Hoop_zps8jbk7d8b.jpg.html)

The trouble with making everything nice and shiny is knowing where to stop- the postman has been busy round this way:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Nuts_zpsniwahnvt.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Nuts_zpsniwahnvt.jpg.html)

[Flip]

Now off down to Moto Rapido's to buy a new rear master cylinder as mine has seemingly decided to not play anymore- obviously got jealous of all the new parts being fitted.

[Mr Gazza]

Nice Flip.!...Don't ever stop...:chuckle:

[Darren69]

Yes, I think mine are the earlier version from DP. Did your original ones look anything like these, if you can remember? They are front and rear with the same matt finish. A mate recently commented "They're nice, Did someone make them for you?" I guess they have that kind of bespoke look, which I kinda like.

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/DarrenS69/SAM_0722_zps76e7f31b.jpg (http://s770.photobucket.com/user/DarrenS69/media/SAM_0722_zps76e7f31b.jpg.html)

[Flip]

Yes from memory that looks a lot like them. As far as I know there were never matching rear brackets for the ones I have but I actually quite like the different finishes when paired. The most annoying thing is the rear sets have to be spaced so far away from the frame to line up with my Ferracci cans as the mounting points are welded on them.

[Darren69]

Same here with the 50mm high levels I have. there is bugger all space for the swing arm when compressed. It either rubs on the swing arm or the hugger. Your bike is looking nice though I must say. Did you get those axle plates from Ceepeedee Racing by any chance?

http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx341/DarrenS69/SAM_0724_zpsb40a1bef.jpg (http://s770.photobucket.com/user/DarrenS69/media/SAM_0724_zpsb40a1bef.jpg.html)

Yellow hoop looks great btw, you just need a white frame and wheels now to for full homage to the original 888 livery. Would look real nice, but let me tell you white wheels are a pain to keep clean.

[Darren69]

Well you maybe right. Ive not seen ones like yours with the pillion pegs the same. Although I recently saw in the DP catalogue that they did the original shape and style ones in titanium, god only knows how much they were, but I've never seen any fitted!

[Flip]

Your bike is looking nice though I must say.

Cheers, it's always been a bit 'work in progress' but am taking this opportunity to do the things I've always wanted but never really been able to either afford or justify fully such as the Maxton forks etc. as well as the much needed freshen up.


Did you get those axle plates from Ceepeedee Racing by any chance?

No they came from MVS Performance in Germany- I will do a little list of the good places I have dealt with while carrying out this work at the end of this thread so that others have a starting point when doing similar.

Yellow hoop looks great btw, you just need a white frame and wheels now to for full homage to the original 888 livery. Would look real nice, but let me tell you white wheels are a pain to keep clean.

I guess it is as much a homage to the original Monster (à la Pedro's '93 model) as much as a 888, although it was the earlier 851 that had a white frame and wheels I think. I had white wheels on my GSX-R so know what they are like to keep clean but at least the three spokes are not as bad as the Marchesini's on the S4.

[Pedro]

I guess it is as much a homage to the original Monster (à la Pedro's '93 model) as much as a 888...

Would that be mine that's just killed it's reg/rec (new one fitted now) and developed a leaky tank?

:banghead:

[Flip]

Would that be mine that's just killed it's reg/rec (new one fitted now) and developed a leaky tank?

Yeah that'll be the one Ped, I'll look forward to mine doing the same in about four years time then!!

[Flip]

Not much done on the bike today after my trip down to Moto Rapido but thanks to them not only having a rear master cylinder in stock but also my little girls' favourite pink wafer biscuits in their tin I got to drool over the Superleggera and the Desmosedici while chatting bikes to their excellent parts man Luke.

But the good news is I now have a working back brake again so it's all looking good for making it for it's MoT on Tuesday as long as I pull my finger out and get busy with the spanners over the next couple of days.

[Flip]

Okay, so after a bit more spanner twiddling on Monday I couldn't resist tipping in a few litres of fuel and hitting the starter expecting the normal popping, banging and flames from the exhaust after not being started since last October.....but no!!!

Since replacing all the crappy earth cables with high quality copper braid earths along with copper (instead of the standard brass) battery connection terminals , all of which I made at work, the bike simply burbled into life on the first press of the starter with no fuss or drama I was used to of previous years.
In fact I would say it did and has so far continued to, start better now than in any other of the fifteen years I have owned it. So it seems all the things I have read about Ducati fitting undersize and rubbish quality earths to this era bikes are true- it now makes me wish I had carried out a current drop test before replacing them.

So an hour early out of work, a gentle whizz over to the MoT station, half hour later and it has a fresh ticket for the year but I am not finished yet.

First impressions of the reworked forks and serviced/re-sprung shock are good. There is none on the previous bone juddering jolts when hitting sunken iron works or pot holes in the road and yet they still feel firm just not harsh with it.

But there is some tweaking to be done- I am running about the same geometry as I was before and although the rear spring is slightly stiffer it feels like there is less preload wound on which is perhaps letting it sag a little too much when I am on it making the steering feel slow-ish almost as if the new Pilot 3's (well the front anyway) feels like it is low on pressure- the old Pirelli's were never known for being particularly quick steering so I would welcome any comments on what others think of their Michelin Pilot 3's please. It could of course just be down to there being a lot more grip than I had previously.

Tomorrow night I plan to wind out the rod ends another turn to raise the rear up a little more and increase the preload a little to see if that helps with the steering issues. Then a bit of a general tidy up of a few loose ends.

[Mr Gazza]

I would be very interested to hear how you get on with your proposed new settings at the rear.

It was commented, by someone who should know what they are talking about, that I had a lot of sag at the rear.
So I measured it at 18mm (Static) and then raised it to 6mm as suggested by increasing the preload.

I didn't ride it like this as I was in the middle of the winter refresh, part of which was to change the rose joints. I set the new ones about 6mm further out of the hoop than the old ones.

I was very suprised to find that the static sag had returned to 18mm after doing this.
Somewhat mystified by this, I left it like that to try.

I noticed that whilst braking into corners that the bike seemed to be trying to buck me over the handlebars....4 more clicks of rebound has got it feeling just how it was before.

It proves to me that they are right when they say, only make one adjustment at a time.
But I am still mystified as to why the small increase in ride hieght effected the sag.?

[Flip]

I would have said if measured correctly your original 18mm of static sag to be about right for the road. Of course you then need to do a loaded measurement to ensure your spring is the correct weight for you:

This is worth a little read on suspension set up:

http://www.avantiraceparts.co.uk/page.php?id=20

[yellowjonboy]

like the rev counter what model is it from whats the fitting like to do???

[Flip]

like the rev counter what model is it from whats the fitting like to do???

Hi, as Darren correctly said in a previous post it is a Ducati Performance item which was fitted to the bike when new- they fit easily using the existing instrument mounting screws and the connection is simply a plug and play interruption of the coil to pick up a spark pulse.

Like most of the stuff for the early bikes it is no longer available new but you do see them occasionally on eBay selling for various amounts of cash from non working for around £50 up to stupid money if they get into a last minute bidding war.

[Flip]

Okay, here we go then- I've been a bit quiet on the posts lately as I decided to get the bike up and running and over for it's MoT Tuesday before last (5th May) which it passed no problem. Then it was a case of some tidying and the fitting of some other new parts which were arriving daily during the week.

Firstly, even though I had never suffered from it personally I decided to fit an Oil Filter clamp to enable it to be lock wired which is a neater option than the racer's favourite Jubilee clip.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Filter%20Clamp_zpsiuo7jkg3.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Filter%20Clamp_zpsiuo7jkg3.jpg.html)

My original plan was to then run the bike a while before fitting the Oberon clutch slave cylinder that I bought from Jody a while back but when I looked at the fluid it had turned proper gloopy and so rather than just bleed the standard one I decided to go the whole hog and hope it would be okay.

While working around there I also knocked up the current flavour of the month Case Saver along with fitting some more lovely Ti fixings- this time for the new retainer plate I fitted with the chain and sprockets.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Slave%20Cylinder_zpsamydhlck.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Slave%20Cylinder_zpsamydhlck.jpg.html)

[Flip]

A little more tidying and fitting things I have acquired over the past few months- a new old stock pair of carbon side scoops courtesy of Ron at P&H Motorcycles at Crawley and after re-lacquering, my carbon belt covers which I think turned out pretty good.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Side_zpskcqmeccu.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Side_zpskcqmeccu.jpg.html)

Then a couple more drilled Ti fixings for the brake caliper mounting to replace the horrible corroded original bolts.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Ti%20Screws_zpsfyc98pnw.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Ti%20Screws_zpsfyc98pnw.jpg.html)

[squarehead]

That is good work Flip. Looks really tidy, bet you're grinning from ear to ear riding it!

[Dukedesmo]

Firstly, even though I had never suffered from it personally I decided to fit an Oil Filter clamp to enable it to be lock wired which is a neater option than the racer's favourite Jubilee clip.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Filter%20Clamp_zpsiuo7jkg3.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Filter%20Clamp_zpsiuo7jkg3.jpg.html)



Ooh fancy...

However, if you use K&N filters they have a nut on the bottom which not only helps fitting and (especially) removal but it is also drilled for lockwire.

[Flip]

That is good work Flip. Looks really tidy, bet you're grinning from ear to ear riding it!

Thanks!!! .....It's always made me grin but it's getting better all the time.

However, if you use K&N filters they have a nut on the bottom which not only helps fitting and (especially) removal but it is also drilled for lockwire.

Yes I am aware of that and if I wasn't still working my way through a bunch of genuine filters I bought ages ago I may well have gone that route but as the clip was only a little over a tenner I thought it made sense.

[Flip]

So with it serviced, the MoT done and the bike pretty much there bar a little tweaking I thought I need to get a few miles on it so I loaded it up Friday before last (8th May) and off I went:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Ready%20for%20the%20off_zpslsxrhy8a.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Ready%20for%20the%20off_zpslsxrhy8a.jpg.html)

[Flip]

Originally I had planned to get around a hundred or so miles on it before any longer trips but as I had booked a couple of days off work it seemed a shame to waste them so I packed a few spanners and hoped nothing fell off before I got a chance to tighten it.

Folkstone is a little over a hundred miles from me so I got my chance to check it over while the train took the strain.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/On%20the%20Train_zpskodlu6jy.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/On%20the%20Train_zpskodlu6jy.jpg.html)

All looking good so first stop Waterloo and the next morning found this gem of a place owned and run by Giorgio who it turns out travels to Goodwood each year for the Revival meeting so hopefully I will catch up with him for a beer this September.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Locotrans_zpsav878rn4.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Locotrans_zpsav878rn4.jpg.html)

Just up the road from there is Ducati Brussels:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Ducati%20Brussels_zpsagg3e0nz.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Ducati%20Brussels_zpsagg3e0nz.jpg.html)

[Mr Gazza]

You got yourself horribly lost Flip. I didn't spot you at the Weekender..........:chuckle:

I managed just over 500 miles that weekend with Oxford panniers nearly identical to yours....They worked a treat. (Thanks again Black Bob)
I modified some suspender belt straps to hook into the end of the frame tubes under the tea tray. They hold steady at all Mach numbers...:chuckle:

Bike looking really nice Flip..:thumbsup:

[Flip]

Thanks for the positive comments everyone- I appreciate it is not a full on Kato or Spacemonkey style build/rebuild but simply more of a refresh to a bike I have owned and loved riding for the last fifteen years. I have always loved the look of Monsters since I first read the road tests back in '93 but younger years and to a degree peer pressure kept me on sports bikes until I met the mate that bought this one new and later sold it to me.

Anyway, I digress, just shy of nine hundred miles later around France, Belgium and the Netherlands in three and a half days wasn't too bad going and aside from the horizontal exhaust valve cover needing a little nip up to cure an oil weep it ran faultlessly.

My renewal of all the earths with some proper quality copper braid sealed with adhesive lined heatshrink had it starting instantly- seriously the moment the button is pressed it fires into life!!

The Maxton conversion on the forks are a complete revelation in the way I had hoped they would be after what they did on my little race bikes fifty year old items. No more juddering when braking over a series of bumps, still firm but not in the way they were where either, I avoided as many road imperfections as possible or tensed up when unable to miss them.

The Nitron shock is better than ever after it's service although I do need to fiddle with the compression and rebound a bit as although I have got both the static and dynamic sags within acceptable settings it felt a little soft although not enough to induce any weaves even at three figures with all the luggage and still managed to get to within 5mm of the right hand edge of the rear tyre thanks to Belgium's fantastic 180degree slip roads and chasing a local knee down super moto rider onto the A19 around Kortrijk.

In all honesty I could live with it but I know it doesn't feel quite as sharp as I know it can, this may be down to the Michelin Pilots which I have never ridden on prior to all this and which I did have some concerns about fitting without trying the other changes first but as the old ones were cack I had no choice.

The Michelins seem to offer a massive amount of grip compared to the Pirelli Diablos which were on the bike previously (although I never felt they were lacking) but at one point when filtering through traffic on a very newly resurfaced road I had to pull over to check my pressures as it felt like the front was soft, it felt that bad. It wasn't and so I can only put it down to the combination of new tyre, new road and a luggage carrying bike.

Making things even better was riding around the foreign countryside in beautiful sunshine on for the most part, very good road surfaces and staying in lovely good value hotels:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/IMG_4234_zpsha7x5qus.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/IMG_4234_zpsha7x5qus.jpg.html)

But all the time never far away from poignant reminders of the country's and our own past.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/IMG_4297_zpsn9uy3nz7.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/IMG_4297_zpsn9uy3nz7.jpg.html)

[utopia]

Excellent news on the performance of the forks.
What you describe is exactly the effect I wish to achieve on my bike, for exactly the same reasons.
If Maxton can do the same job on mine I'll be well pleased.
And the best thing is you get the full deal at the first hit ....no subsequent re-springing and tweeking that would be needed if fitting forks from another Ducati.
For a bike that's a keeper, I think its worth the money (and I'm well known for my frugal habits).

Nice thread, Flip.
Has the very essence of monster ownership running right through it.

[Flip]

If Maxton can do the same job on mine I'll be well pleased.
And the best thing is you get the full deal at the first hit ....no subsequent re-springing and tweeking that would be needed if fitting forks from another Ducati..

Well I guess the only possible advantage of choosing forks from another Ducati model is the extra adjustability that say the Öhlins and some Showa units may provide after the correct springs have been sourced. It is of course easier to go that route on the later bikes than the early models like mine so my choice was partly swayed by that.

Maxton obviously provide full adjustment at extra cost but personally going on the experience of my race bike I don't need it and it also has the potential of getting it horribly wrong- although they would of course guide you through any set up adjustments if required.

Nice thread, Flip.
Has the very essence of monster ownership running right through it.

Thanks Jeff, I think I got over what I wanted.
I will post up a little list of people I have dealt with during the course of my refresh who have provided a good service so that others may benefit when carrying out similar work.

[spacemonkey]

I'm doing a sympathetc rebuild rather than full on resto. It's taken 25 years for the bike to get in this state and I don't want to wipe it out.. ;) Except for the engine paint- or rather lack of...

Any idea what Maxton did to your forks and how much it cost? Do they just swap parts and if so are these available seperately for the home mechanic to fit?

[Flip]

I'm doing a sympathetc rebuild rather than full on resto. It's taken 25 years for the bike to get in this state and I don't want to wipe it out.. ;)

I know what you mean- they are only original once as they say!!
But saying that they were made for customising so it's horses for courses etc.

Anyway, Maxton- well it will really depend on a few factors whether or not you will decide to go this route.

Firstly, whether you have Marzocchi or Showa forks?

The reason being if you have Showa's you have a few more options open to you with the standard items as there are various re-valve kits and spring weights that you can fit yourself.

However, if you have Marzocchi units (as I have) they are a little odd in the way they work with one controlling (I use the term loosely when referring to these) compression damping and the other rebound. So what Maxton do is strip the forks, remove all the existing components and put them in a bag to send back to you to use for whatever you like as long as it's nothing to do with suspension:chuckle:. Then they machine out the fork lowers to accept their own designed cartridge system which is they same as fit to all the TT boys and girls bikes they support along with countless other racers and road bikes. Of course the spring they fit is tailored to your weight and how and for what purpose you ride the bike etc.

Depending on how much you want to spend and if you will benefit/want pub bragging rights there is as much adjustability as you could possibly imagine available.

Obviously there are other options too, you could have the yokes machined to take superbike forks but that takes away originality along with possibly needing new a new front wheel and brake calipers, or you could find a pair of Showa 888 forks which are period items and fit straight in but may still need a refurb and re-springing even if you could get some (I bought some from Natty a while ago but my Marzocchis were in slightly better condition so sold the 888 Showas on).

I hope that information helps a little but from my experiences Maxton have worked wonders making a fifty year old 250 racer feel and handle in a more familiar way and then giving the Monster a feel so good I wish I had done it years ago.

[spacemonkey]

Thanks for that- I have the golden Showas of course.. ;)

[Spanner]

howdy Flip, Doug here. Formerly known as drc but I forgot my password so reregistered as Spanner.

I think your bike is looking really good. I like a lot of the finishing touches and it's good to see the bike is still going.

I'm gradually giving my bike some much needed tlc so I may need to pick your brains on certain things, particularly when it comes to sourcing bits and bobs. I have replaced a lot of the manky bolts and have the pinch bolts for the callipers. Unfortunately two of the bolts don't want to undo and the heads are starting to round :-(. Maybe we can arrange for you to unleash your breaker bar on them?

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the engine. It has a serious case of flakeypaintitis!

Hope all is well.

[slob]

... Formerly known as drc but I forgot my password so reregistered as Spanner...


hey Doug, how're you doing? let me know if you want me to try and merge the accounts or reset your password

[Flip]

Hey Doug,

How are you buddy?

I didn't know if you'd still have your Monster after all this time- I remember it wheelying out of almost every round-a-bout on the Billingshurst road when I rode it trying to keep up with you on mine.

Good to hear from you again and I'm sure we can work something out to loosen off those pesky bolts.

If you are around and fancy a catch up I am racing at Brands over the weekend of 4th and 5th July.

[Spanner]

That would be handy Slob

[Spanner]

Hey Doug,

How are you buddy?

I didn't know if you'd still have your Monster after all this time- I remember it wheelying out of almost every round-a-bout on the Billingshurst road when I rode it trying to keep up with you on mine.

Good to hear from you again and I'm sure we can work something out to loosen off those pesky bolts.

If you are around and fancy a catch up I am racing at Brands over the weekend of 4th and 5th July.


Racing! Now I am jealous! I have NCT class on 2nd July so I should have scored enough brownie points to be able to get to Brands that weekend. Unless it's raining of course! Will be good to see you after all this time.

I need to check out your Renthal handlebars too. I'm thinking of getting some for my bike. Is it a bit of a faff job? I guess you have to trim off any locating blobs (technical term!) of the switchgear?

[Flip]

Racing! Now I am jealous! I have NCT class on 2nd July so I should have scored enough brownie points to be able to get to Brands that weekend. Unless it's raining of course! Will be good to see you after all this time.

I need to check out your Renthal handlebars too. I'm thinking of getting some for my bike. Is it a bit of a faff job? I guess you have to trim off any locating blobs (technical term!) of the switchgear?

First of all, Congratulations- when's the new addition due?

Fingers crossed it won't be raining at Brands (or Donington in August)- not a fan of wet races and even less of wet camping!! But the old bike is good fun to race.

In case you've not seen 'Bella' in other threads around the site here she is in action last year:

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/IMG_2264_zps22d68c83.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/IMG_2264_zps22d68c83.jpg.html)

As for the Renthals, I chose their Ultra Low bars. They subtly altered the riding position which was exactly what I was looking for, putting a little more weight over the front while their angle keeps things comfy for longer trips. They weren't any real hassle to fit other than as you say removing the switch gear locating pins. But as they're just plastic and only there to allow speedy positioning during assembly in the factory removing them is not only a simple a case of filing them away it also has the advantage of being able to reposition the switches should it be needed.

I am still planning to put a list up here of all the people who I felt supplied good products and provided a good service in my experience during the refresh to help others doing similar work but of course am happy to help if there is anything specific anyone wants to know.

Definitely be goo to catch up again...and of course anyone else who fancies popping along to see some old bikes race round in circles.
More details here:
www.crmc.co.uk

[Spanner]

That is a sweet looking bike. Very nice indeed. Nice to see you still sporting the Crowtree leathers.

I think you've got me sold on the Renthals. The original bars are now showing the rust. Plus the Renthals are probably easier to fit than going the clip on route. I should imagine new brake lines might be needed if I were to fit clip ons.

Hope to see you at Brands next month.

[Spanner]

I just noticed you had the same race number that I used to have!

[Flip]

Without delving through the archives too much this is the only one I could find from your DD outings and you're running 16 not 76.

http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag329/fluke900/Doug%20Racing_zpsu5wy52lt.jpg (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/fluke900/media/Doug%20Racing_zpsu5wy52lt.jpg.html)

[Spanner]

Oh and 16 too. I do have a pic of me running the 76 but I can't work out how to post it!