I have a graph showing the before and after (bhp & torque), lined up against a 999, but wanted to hear from somebody who had actually ridden a bike like this.
Chris Steedman of CJS did something like a 1024 cc conversion to his 749R, now doubt he could give you some details\information. He has done a lot of work for myself and my son over a period of time and it has always proved to be worth the money.
Here is an interesting article i found, with the graphs - BikeBoy.org - 749 With 924 Big Bore Kit (base model 749 engine) The last part is quite interesting as i have gone up 5 teeth on the rear.
Has anyone seriously looked into the big bore? have been quoted around £1800 for it but Kämna Tuning-Teile kaufen und Tuning Tips DUCATI und APRILIA-Tuning do a kit which requires no alterations to anything for 1425 Euro which is very tempting! Anyone any thoughts???
Think i pretty much included all the net info available above. I should be getting mine done around the beginning of March, will let you know how i get on. Nick
Have decided to go down the 999 engine route after talking to GTEC performance and £1500 ride in ride out was a good price. Was talked out of the big bore kit by them, but could always do it to the 999 at some point.
They called in to question the quality of the big bore kit and the power gained from it, plus they had a 999 engine that they would be willing to install. Very convenient i know lol.. But after buying the kit and getting someone to install it etc it works out cheaper just to have new engine for the same power gain.
I know CJS and Louigi Moto did some amazing work on a 749R, different barrels and heads off other models, can't remember which, along with his usual finishing skills and was getting 170BHP. Definiatly the place to go for getting horses out of an engine. But sadly I feel this news is too late. Oh, and I've got a bored out 996SPS in a track bike and it's still tight as a drum about 5 years on. The "quality" is down to those doing the work.
Unfortunately not got bottomless pit of spare cash so going for cheapest option but then but do something to the 999 engine when i save a bit more without the wife finding out lol
The 749R referred to was Chris's personal bike and it did have a lot of money spent on it, I think he said that he spent £4,000 in parts when I was speaking to him about it. I don't think reliability would be an issue. Clearly a bigger engine would be a cheaper route
I may have found this thread a bit late. But I now have all my parts ready for building my 924. Heads are now polished and lightly ported. The valve seats have been re cut and the throats opened out. Next task is to drop them in with Jeff Baines to re shim the clearances. Then start building the motor.
I've never been into tuning or messing with the guts of a bike, for me it's all about losing weight from a bike. Would it not change the riding physics from a 749 to more like a 999. But, hope it goes well and feedback from when it's completed I'm sure will be appreciated from all members on here. I considered it on my old 749s, but shat it at the thought of the other half seeing the postman with the parts, so had to settle for something a little more discreet.
Fwiw I used to do all this tuning and boring bollocks but found it to be expensive and often makes the motor more fragile. My advice would be to just throw a larger capacity standard motor in it. Choose the motor depending on how much power/torque you want 999/1098/1198
All comments and oppions are great fully received. However I love a challenge and enjoy learning new engineering skills. I'll keep updating as I go. I have just completed building an Aprilia Rs250 track day bike which I'm really pleased with. So it's the 749 next on the operating table.
I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out. I bottled it in the end and bought a 999 lump. You have the potential to make me jealous
