My subconcious mission to make the ultimate 1098R continued a few months ago and I forgot all about it. Now this is a silly bike that has me flipping between grinning like a Cheshire Cat and wanting to throw the thing into the nearest hedge, such is it's ridiculous nature. I've contemplated selling it a few times but can't seem to pull the trigger, often after feelings of indecision, I end up buying something for it, maybe to subconciously ensure I keep it? Anyhoo, for a good 3 or so years, I've wanted a BST carbon fibre swing arm for it, but they are north of £3k now and I couldn't justify it (I recently bought a full bike for less). I've had them on my eBay watch list in that time and apart from a poor 2nd hand example and expensive ones in the USA, nothing has popped up, until.............October last year and a brand new one apears in.........Melbourne, Australia. Anyway, I make the guy a really cheeky offer (really cheeky ) and as expected it's rejected, but I do send him a thank you message. I keep it in my watch list and it's still there over Christmas, so after a few Christmas meads on Boxing Day, I contact the guy again with a slightly improved offer which he accepts. I end up getting the swing arm, landed in the UK, taxes paid for half the cost of a new one here. It's as described, brand new in the box and a thing of beauty. I was in the garage pottering about today and I noticed the box sitting there. I genuinely forgot about the thing as I had been messing about with the Aprilia and I knew I needed a chain to fit it. So my subconcious mission to build the ultimate 1098R continues. and I'll try to get it on the bike soon, once I buy a chain..........................the bike will probably be for sale next month ! Oh, beware when buying things from OZ. It arrived like this and I had to convert it to northern hemisphere configuration.
Not sure I could forget something of that value in a box in my garage if I could afford a garage. Different levels but I was jumping up and down when I found 20€ in a compartment in my wallet when travelling and needing a latte. You are very lucky to be in that position (no offence and you have obviously achieved and worked hard)...it’s a beautiful swingarm too and bike
I've been so busy since Christmas Carl. It took 2 weeks to arrive and then I've been working 6 day weeks, until last week.
You've done well there Rob. And they are indeed beautiful. As I and my bike slid down the track side by side, and were launched over the kerbing and into the gravel at Almeria, all I could think of was my shiny gloss swingarm I was astonished to find not a scratch on it when I got back to pitlane.... Not only are they really expensive, cool looking and shiny, they're magic too. Like a lamp with a genie in it. Oh, and mine will be for sale next month along with the bike.... PLUG.....
If I was in the market for a new sports bike I would be looking at the 10/1198, I was never a huge fan when they were the current sports bike. But now and even more so since the V4 landed I really have a hankering for one. I would love a booming twin with a big lump of bottom end and a rattley clutch.
That swinger looks the nuts! I reckon that once it’s fitted on that stunning bike, you’ll quickly forgot all that bollox about selling it.
I remember the marketing blurb wittering on about the increased length in swingarm will calm down wheelies Yeah, roger.... I don't think so.
Never mind the bike (lovely),what about the tall steel cupboard and the wall unit not lining up level Mr OCD.
So there’s going to be at least 2 of you selling your 1098r’s then? What with the competition & the fact that none of us can ride at the moment anyway, it’s a buyers market! Looking forward to getting some bids in
