Slightly assumptive on your part. What makes you think I only covered 100 miles? You need to research posts before you jump feet first into a statement. Whilst by my own admission, I did not ride the bike that often (due to lack of opportunity/work commitments etc), I did rack up 1800 miles on it. Not that mileage bears any relevance, as it is more a case of the enjoyment you derived from the experience, or so I was always led to believe.
Frustratingly long wait for the air box and swing arm, which are being colour matched to the magnesium castings on the engine. This time I have elected for longevity of finish as paint alone won't cut it, which was the route I took with the previous project (1199SPS). The parts are currently in Sussex being 'Cerakoted'. For anyone unfamiliar with this process, it is commonly used to treat firearms due to it's incredibly hard finish. This stuff is virtually bombproof and should outlast any other available treatment. Hoping they will be ready come the end of the month as I have literally boxes of new parts and new bodywork waiting to go on. As a frameless bike, there isn't much I can do until I get these parts back, so for now it's back to thumb twiddling. Ho-hum. I will post up some pictures once I get my mitts on them. For more info, check out the link below: https://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com/
Please don't do what that guy did to the 899 and make a shit street fighter. Still can't "un see" that! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So at last a big leap forward in terms of progress as the airbox, subframe and ancilliary parts are FINALLY back from the Cerakoting company. They spent a LONG time getting the colour matched exactly to the magnesium parts on the bike and they look awesome. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Cerakoting, it's usually used on firearms as it is extremely hard wearing and has the added advantage of only being a few microns thick, does not scratch and is highy resistant to corrosion, fuel and heat. I am collecting them later today, having dropped them off at the local Ducati specialist (Carl Harrison Motorycle Services - Welcome) who are fitting the head races and bearings back in. I'll post up pictures later. In the meantime I've been busy re-assembling the cooling system. I had both radiators TLTD (Thermal Dispersant Ceramic Coating) coated by Camcoat (Camcoat Performance Coatings) then sprayed them with a satin radiator paint. I made up some custom grilles which were then powder coated black and fixed them through the matrix using nuts/screws and "Snap-Caps" to hide the screw head and nuts. I have done this on many bikes before and as long as you don't damage the horizontal water channels, you just need to displace a few fins to pass a bolt/screw through. Much like Ducati did on the Monster S4RS. Samco hoses then went on with stainless steel jubilee clips and I am just now waiting on some aluminium brackets to fit to the bottom of the upper radiator which will support the wiring loom for the rapid bike race module as it crosses the bike. I also mounted the RB module (Snap-Caps, screws and nuts again) and relocated the Ohlins suspension module. I had to sand down the original locating lugs for the Ohlins module and then masked off and plastic painted the area, to neaten it up. Here are some pics of the various parts and assembly. Other parts I am waiting on include the rear light and undertail carbon fibre panel, which are having a 'Ventureshield' paint protection film applied to prevent stone chips damaging them. I also had new exact copies of the VIN frame stickers made up, to replace those removed from the airbox and front subframe whilst they were Cerakoted.
Here's a picture of the airbox/monocoque frame, now that it's back from the Cerakoters. I asked them to use the clutch cover as a colour match. I think it's pretty much spot on. Applied the new VIN and classification stickers to the airbox and front subframe. I also replaced the two rubber damping pads on the front subframe with new ones. Zip tie is there just to hold top bearing race in place, until I fit the forks. Many thanks to Wesley & Andy at ...::: Hi Spec Coatings ::: Cerakote ::: UK Based :::... for a superb job.
This is going to be worth following, loving the cerakote - excellent idea Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Aaaaaaarh. Grrrrr. Managed to make huge headway today only to be stopped dead in my tracks when I came to tighten one of the front rigid brake pipe plastic clamps to the airbox. The shouldered bolt had not yet seated against the frame, which pretty much guarantees you can't overtighten it and it still felt loose. Next thing I know at 6Nm....snap!! Now the bolt has sheared off flush with the surface. Going to have to take the whole front end off again forks, top yoke etc and the airbox (again) to get it drilled out. Bugger!! More worried about any potential damage to the nice new Cerakoting finish but the chap I am entrusting to is very very careful. Thankfully it is not a blind hole so that might make a difference as it could be attacked from inside if needs be. New bolt on order. Taps had be run down all the holes, so don't know why this bolt sheared so easily. I have had to order a second set of airbox toothed lock washers, as you can only use them once.
Airbox is off again. Just running it down to the local Ducati specialist to have the broken bolt removed. At least I can be getting on with other stuff in the meantime but for now the bike is in half once more. Should have the airbox back by 3pm. Special lock washers are en-route from Moto Rapido, and will be delivered tomorrow, as they cannot be used twice. Should be back on track by late morning. Hopefully this will be the last time it has to come off!!
Should come out really easily. If you can get to the inside, just drill into the centre of the bolt and it will probably just spin right out
Making good progress so far having re-fitted the airbox and swing arm, complete hydraulic system, exhaust system, suspension, calipers, front mudguard, front and rear subframes, injectors, sprint air filter, ABS, rear sets, top yoke, handlebars and switchgear. Still a long way to go yet but hoping to have the cooling system back on this weekend and to make a start on the wiring and electronics which always take a while. In the pictures you should be able to see the colour matching of the swing arm and airbox with the magnesium parts. I've also had a number of smaller pieces Cerakoted in a satin black. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
