Latest update and its a sad one. Went to install the forks last night. Got everything lined up and started to torque. Not sure if my torque wrench is buggered or if I just didnt feel the click, but I heard and felt a click then did the next one and same..but it was a different click...I looked closer and got a nice wave of sickness race thru me. So now I'm on the hunt for a replacement. ARGH
Its cast. Replacement time! I was so excited about getting the bike back together and maybe getting some test time. Totally bummer
Getting back on track..so to speak. Custom billet triple clamps (desmoto sport) arrived and a goodie box of bits from one of my sponsors (JT Sprockets and HiFlo filters). Didn't have much time to play but got the old triples out and getting ready to put the new ones back in. I might actually get to start putting bits back on the bike soon! Yippee!!!
those yokes look cracking mate, tell your sponsor they never arrived and sell my those ones then get some more.
HAHA..can't wait for new ones. I've gotta get this duc quacking! I missed round 1 already and round 2 is right around the corner. I need to get on the track and get back to speed!
Finally got a little time to sneak out into the garage and do some work. Yippee! Had a fun time. When I first picked up the triples, I couldnt get the bearings and race off the top. Contacted the seller and he seemed puzzled..'they should just slide off' he told me. So last night I try again and sure enough they just slid off. I'm figuring the difference in metals and expanding from heat made them tight when I first got them. Oh well..happy for me! Next I had to remove the Ohlins dampener from the old triple. WHAT A PAIN. It's like taking a puzzle apart! Got it done and went to mount on the new triple. JOY! The bolt was too big for the triple! Tap and dye set out and got to play with that. Finally got the hole threaded to the larger size and started putting everything back together. I love the Ducati triples. No castle nut to fight with! Able to adjust without going crazy! Anyway, triples on, forks on, clipons on....then discovered clutch side wiring/lines were routed wrong. DAMN! Off the fork came to route it the right way. Got everything buttoned up and was trying to connect the throttle wires to the throttle. Wasnt happening. They were fighting me. Took the master off to make more room...still fighting...little voice in my head said stop for the night or tools will be thrown...so thats where she is. Bit by bit getting closer to coming to life.
Starting the process of putting the girl back together. Got the wheels on and did a front brake bleed. Clutch had me scared. Could hardly pull it in...was hoping I had air or low fluid (it had been crashed after all). Did a clutch bleed and still the same. Took her off the stand and rolled while changing gears...wheel kept rolling. uhoh. Pulled the clutch plates to inspect and they seem fine. All within specs. So I'm guessing now that the slave has given up the ghost. Going to try to get a new one today and check it out. Fingers crossed. Round 2 of the race series is this weekend. Doesnt look like I'll get to run the Duc but I'll be doing the endurance race on our team GSXR at least. On the plus side, its nice to finally see something that looks like a motorcycle.
Ran out at lunch and grabbed a new slave (OEM) I know what I'm doing tonight! Fingers crossed thats all thats wrong with the clutch!
Reinstalled the clutch pack, pressure plate, new slave, and bled the system. Still seems wrong...argh. Decided to zip tie a bunch of the new wires and get them out of the way, installed some of the body panels (the ones that won't be in my way as I finish). If time permits, I'm going to fire the girl up and see whats going on with the clutch. If its just in my head, I plan to reflash the ecu for the new exhaust and quicksifter. If not, then I think I'll pack it in until after my race this weekend and try again next week.
Just slightly. I'm able to push the bike in gear (clutch spins). I'm new to the duc so not sure if thats normal.
They don't come out much. Once it's running you can try it on a paddock stand. But you prob won't know if it's properly fixed (not got an air leak) until used for a bit.
Clutch was still not disengaging properly. Decided to remove the clutch and check everything out. I was told by previous owner it was a Ducati performance slipper. Took it apart but never seen a slipper like this one. Looks stock to me..in rough shape too Heres the basket and hub On the plus side, even though the duc isnt ready I was at the track to race with my endurance team on the weekend. Round 2 (missed round one for family stuff). So as an added bonus I had zero seat time this year. I managed to get out for one practice session before our 3 hour endurance race. I had just a few butterflies! The endurance race uses a Le Mans start..its always funny watching men in leather racing suits running.. Race started off poorly. Crash at the first corner and a halt to racing for the ambulance. Afterwards the race went well. A few crashes but nothing too serious. The temps were very high and it was tough going (30 Celsius, 85 f without humidity ) Rider changes and fueling stops all went great. We ended up finishing in 5th place. 2 laps from 2nd place. Not bad for us (as we're all old guys on a smaller bike GSXR600). Hopefully I get that duc going in time for the next round!
