Loving this build and I would do the same thing if I had a big lump of dough to spunk on a bike and then some.
if we were to ask why , Ducati would never have built anything else than camera s and radios... and have gone out of business sowhere mid-fifties...
There is always someone who says stuff like this. Can anyone who buys a Bugatti Veyron or Ferrari drive that to its maximum? Not many people will have the ability, same goes with bikes. The guy is doing it because he can and im sure many others would if they could afford it. Good luck to him and I hope he has alot of fun with it when it's finished.
Not sure this is necessarily a fair comment. Each to their own I say. For all we know Carl may well be a very competent individual both practically in terms of building a bike and obviously at being able to ride one well, judging by his previous experience, BUT entrusting it to someone like MR does not make his build any the less worthy. It might simply be the case that he does not have the time to tackle the work himself, the tools or the inclination. In my case I can't afford to have someone do all the work for me, but then again I enjoy the challenge of tackling the jobs myself. Saying that there are some things even I could not attempt such as an engine rebuild, as it is just too prohibitive to buy all the specialist equipment needed to carry out the work. That said I pretty much took the the whole bike to bits and am rebuilding it from the engine up (albeit the engine was left intact and as stock).
^ Your build and site is brilliant. I take my hat off for what you are doing; I had an R before this and did a few things to it which involved stopping it down to engine and chassis and it was - lets just say - an experience! Ducati certainly did not make it easy.
^^^ It is always good to hear peoples opinions; what I find interesting is the use of "afford" - and this is not directed at anyone btw. We as individuals all have different goals and outlooks on life; we therefore all have different priorities; obviously those with more "spare" cash can do more but my point on all this is not connected with this; i'll give an example - one of my wife's work colleagues goes on and on about the fact I have a Superleggera, how great it must be to have the money to get something like that, etc..... however, when it was pointed out that he could have one too if he wanted he got rather irritated, saying he could not afford one - he has no money...... but then he was politely reminded but XXXXX you have four properties. He shut up. So afford is a choice. Me, I could afford to do this because I worked my ass off in Iraq for several years and saved and I chose to do this. I could have used it to help buy a house, shares, whatever... This is not a rant. Just bringing some perspective. We are generally quick to judge and make up opinions in a nano second without really getting to know. I'd rather not do that and just appreciate everyone is different and has different views and priorities and whatever they decide to do, good on them - it's good to have a goal/purpose - it's part of life!
I'd love to have the best of the best on my bike and certainly not knocking anybody else for wanting the same , I like your build and indeed will be very unique and well put together , what's not to appreciate about that , keep going fella and if you get bored you can always give it to me
Anyone who had to go to Iraq to get the money for their dream bike deserves every last titanium bolt of it, in my view.
I personally don't want to see this thread turn into you having to justify why your doing it all mate, your money and frankly it's like another 'Oil' thread. However can we have some more porn *cough* I mean pictures of the progress?
^ for sure it won't digress from the purpose. MR have been working on the ECU and wiring loom amendments so at mo nothing really visually changed. They are also awaiting parts from Corse. I hoping next week there will be pics to share.
I saw MR's thread about being off-sick and working on your ECU mappings. Apparently its quite a headache, but Steve was glad to be able to digress and think about the ECU rather than being laid up in bed with "wife flu".
I'm loving watching how this build pans out and what MR are doing. Projects like these are an inspiration to most people, even if they are out of reach financially. That's what makes them what they are, a veritable drool fest. Nowt wrong with that!
So a bit of humour while we all twiddle our thumbs.... the period the bike has been in UK has given me the chance to have surgery and recover from compartment syndrome in both forearms (arm pump). Last time I rode my R it was so bad I had to come in after 5 mins and couldn't even take me gloves off! Knowing what I was building, I could not risk not being able to ride her!!! I decided there and then to get it finally sorted and so had all four compartments in both forearms released at the same time and have now 95% recovered. It was flipping terrible after the surgery and had a few complications but I am now in the gym lifting heavy weights and preparing myself for the maiden voyage.... albeit on setting 1 of 9 power options!! So I serious!
So, it's starting to take shape. Second pic shows the new position of battery housing - shifted to the other side like a proper racer!! Ha.
A monumental day for me today - first time ever turned over and apparently VERY LOUD. All good so far. Steve has really done some magic with the ECU - combining all the good bits of the SL and super stock ECU's - some 300+ maps apparently. Not many in the world that can do that. So anyone going to him for work - make sure you give him the respect he deserves. Off to dyno she goes. Just awaiting short throttle, battery bracket and HEL brake lines and then she will be complete. Not long now, tick tock. Some pics - first is weight of tank with foam, pump and cap.... not bad eh? Second is Ti pipes coloured after start, third with carbon heat protection under rear subframe.
At the risk of repeating myself yet again. WOW!!!!!! Thats the first time I think a carbon part (Fuel Tank) looks better painted then in bare Carbon....
