Some more parts have arrived, and the weekend brings some time to play in the garage. I test fitted the carbs, and came up with a solution using one fuel injected intake manifold on the vertical cylinder, and one (modified) carbureted intake manifold on the horizontal cylinder. This will lead to a number minor tweaks - the right frame crossbrace needs to be modified a hair, and the throttle cable stops on the carbs need to be moved so they are facing "forward" to allow a more direct cable route. I'll also need to the modified intake manifold welded up. The tank also came in, and while I am waiting for some OEM parts (the rubber mounts for the front of the tank), I put it on the frame to get a sense of how it looks (so far). Coming along, but lots more to do!
A few more pics: Beat up old numberplate (I'll spend $20 for a new one) as a mockup. Koso Gauge test-fit into the bracket. The frame was left at Iron Craft overnight, and Brent did his usual impeccable tig-welding on the shock mount, as well as the front bracket (to the steerer tube), and the frame bushing. As I've said before, every time I think I'm getting handy with the torch, I see what Brent can do and I'm humbled! Big thanks to buddy Wilson who donated an old 900ss shock for mockup purposes. Scored some Sato monster rearsets for a good price from Japan. I won't have to worry about mounting footpeg brackets to the frame. I do need to source a M10x1.50x65mm allen bolt though! Right hand side. As I've done up a race wiring loom from a SS carbed harness before, I attacked one that I had... Much simpler and cleaner! Could probably do away with the fuse box altogether (there's only 3 active fuses left) but as it is, I can mount it somewhere pretty cleanly. Placed an order with Liam at Fastbike Gear for a bunch of ignitech parts!
Another update -- still waiting on some parts and some fabrication I am unable to do, but there were a few minor tasks I could accomplish, despite the weather. I test fit the controls to start. TZ250 twin-pull throttle tube. A nice aluminum unit. I've got some cables inbound I'll use as a starting point, but I know I'll have to modify them to work properly. Also got a Braking radial master cylinder (new), as well as the right hand side ducati switchgear fitted. Stock Ducati clutch master cylinder. Fabricated a plate to fit under the tank and mount the Mosfet regulator/rectifier. Attached with p-clamps, which seem to hold it quite securely. Hopefully I can also mount the ignitech box to the same plate. Checking the cable routing... The world's most expensive spacers... my usual guy is getting some medical treatment, so I got another firm to do these up for me, so I could re-use these engine bolt/frame sliders from another Ducati. Obscenely expensive for about an hour's work on the lathe. They work, but I won't be going back!! Also fitted my Chinese rear brake caliper (I know), and drilled the mounting bolts for safety wire. I've used one on another project, and it works fine. Cheaper than a Brembo caliper rebuild kit! After a few hour's work, you can't really tell any difference! Oh well, my exhaust parts should be in sometime this week.
I've got my ignition unit mounted in a black one of these with P-clips to the Monster frame just to the lefthand side of my 40mm TDMR carbs. The bracket is a bargain at 20 quid and the clips effectively mean its rubber mounted. I've also gone with a 1200ms mosfet RR mounted on an adapter plate like yours but in the original position behind the headstock ('94 M900). https://www.performancefab.co.uk/ignitech-mount-bracket
that's a cool mounting bracket -- I'm buying the one from Fastbikegear, along with coils and spark plug wires so I'm sure everything is compatible!
Some more parts have arrived, and I'll start the process of modifying them for fitment (nothing ever seems to "bolt on" to my projects)! Race tail section: from Hotbodies racing in the USA. Decent quality, with a glassed in seat base underneath that props the tail fairing "up" from the frame rails. As a bonus, I think I have another (perhaps) better spot to mount the battery. I'll have to do some more thinking on it. I like the "skirts" along the side of the seat base. Adds a bit more substance to it. Alignment is good, all things considered. Already thinking about paint. Suggestions on a postcard... Exhaust: From a Bimota DB4 of all things. A 2-1 system meant for a 900ss engine. I've got a scheme to shorten the headers to accommodate the 800 cylinders. The shotgun mufflers are NOT the perforated core style. It's an aluminum sleeve OVER a stainless cylinder full of cut and shut pipes for sound deadening. I'm going to try to dissect these, shorten them, and remake them as a typical straight through perforated core style of exhaust, and shed about 15 pounds in the process. If it fails, I'll simply lop off these anchors and install a single megaphone muffler. The 2-1 collector was a critical piece, as well as the larger (40mm OD) header pipes. Some other 2-1 systems for 600/750/800 machines use 34mm diameter headers. Stay tuned!
Cobalt blue bodywork & bronze frame - & btw this is what I'm thinking of doing for my own project so if it turns out bloody awful I can decide on something else...
Re: Paint & bodywork ideas... I'm really liking some of the spirited bodywork, paint & graphics being done by XTR Pepo (you can find him on Facebook). https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/random-picture-thread-vers-4.100173/page-111#post-2212196 Keep up the great work sir!
