Monster headlight support bracket

[RichardDDuke]

Can anyone advise what the hole spacing is where the bottom of the support bracket attaches to the lower fork ?
Hopefully it matches the two holes in the lower yoke of my '94 900ss .... (~35mm)

[Mr Gazza]

Monster and SS bottom yokes of that era are the same so the Monster bracket will fit okay.

I have a spare Monster top yoke if you're planning to fit proper handlebars.

In fact thinking about it you will need the Monster top yoke to fit the headlamp U bracket properly as it uses the dash mounting screws to locate the top of the U.

[RichardDDuke]

Thanks for the confirmation.
I've had a top yoke made up with "944ss" nicely engraved on it, so not needing the top yoke.
There's a couple of Monster headlights supports on fleabay ATM (S2R, and S4) which I'm interested in as they both come complete with the ears to fits the headlight to and have indicators already mounted, which will save me some time and effort. Also means that the M900 instrument cluster I've just bought should sit nicely on the top.
Am also hoping to use old 900ss speedo with the cluster but will need to mount the odometer reset knob somewhere close by.
So, there may be some progress over the next week after a few just looking at it !!
Hippy daze.

[Mr Gazza]

This project sounds very interesting and I think we are at the stage where we need photos on here.. :D

The Monster top yoke uses the two forward most holes in the vertical bosses to both fix the dash and locate the top of the headlamp U bracket.
Special bolts with long threadless spigots on the end locate in nylon bushes in the top of the U.

https://i.ibb.co/ggkTqJZ/yoke.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

https://i.ibb.co/TtpbV39/Dash.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

[RichardDDuke]

Mr G,
Thanks for the info. Hadn't realised the bracket was also supported via the top yoke, although it does make good engineering sense.
I currently have some rubber mounted headlight brackets fitted to the forks and am awaiting a headlight to fit therein. These will be removed if I can get the M900 support to fit.
The support should be arriving mid-week, so will offer it up then. If I am to use my new top yoke, then I'll need to be able to somehow attach support bracket to it. Once the support is in place I will see if I can fabricate a plate to fit using the ignition bracket holes. Then it should be possible to add sleeves to make up the height to top of yoke and locate the console thereon.
If this doesn't work out satisfactorily, then I may be in need of that top yoke.

As an aside, where does the M900 ignition switch sit ? It's not obvious from the exploded parts diagram for the M900. On the 900ss it sits at the front of the top yoke and there's a recess for it to sit in.

https://www.bike-parts-ducati.com/ducati-motorcycle/Monster/1994/Monster_900/Monster-900/DASHBOARD/661/3402/0/661

[RichardDDuke]

As regards photos, I will post some soon. Currently the garage is not providing that much space to work in and isn't tidy in the least, so be able to get decent shots isn't that easy.
Hopefully once I've got the headlight situation sorted I'll post pics of that along with the new oil cooler and the new fuse / relay box where the airbox used to sit.

[Mr Gazza]

The ignition switch is mounted on a rather large bracket on the frame just behind the stem tube on a Monster and the tank is shaped accordingly.
I would say there's no chance of locating it there on an SS. I would persevere with incorporating it into the dash in much the same position as it is now, unless you move it away completely to a place on the frame below the seat or something like that?

[Mr Gazza]

Out of interest Richard, do you know what the offset is on your yokes?
That is to say the distance between the centreline of the fork legs and the steering stem.
I imagine you already know this if you've had a yoke made.

Monster yokes have 25mm offset and I have a feeling that SS are 30mm.
My later SSie has 30mm offset and I had to find some late Monster yokes to match the offset to retain the geometry. Not sure if your early SS is 30mm?

If so, then the early monster yoke will not be any good to you, but it just so happens that my 30mm offset pair might be going spare, but I'm sure you will be able to make your custom yoke work.

[RichardDDuke]

Just measured mine to confirm - fork offset is 30mm. As the Monster's are 25mm, and if I decide to ditch my new top yoke and go for Monster ones then I'll be needing both the top and bottom yokes.

We'll see how things line up and what's achievable with my current/proposed set up, and hopefully it can be kept .... else I might have to wait for a few more monthly pension payments to come in before I continue.

[RichardDDuke]

Comparing the mounting bolts for the 900ss speedometer

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165613266577?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338722076&customid=&toolid=10050

and the M900 version

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125114563129?hash=item1d2168ba39:g:Ep8AAOSwJ0Bh7Sq x

Also .... why is the USA version of '94 M900 speedometer that much cheaper than the other ? They're listed as part numbers 40140081A (USA) @ £107.11, but the other is 40140071A @ £363.26 !!!