Quick potted history, Had the bike since Sept 06 really enjoyed riding it but haven't got as much use as I have wanted due to being skint alot of the time so other things came first. Followed the progress of Johnboy's build and was also taken by the same picture that got him started too, so over the winter have been saving up buying bits and working on altering the bike. Wanted to go down the smaller fairing, bellypan and single seat route whilst also improving my riding position and boosting the appalling front light. Progress now is all parts are fitted which wasn't exactly straight forward as the risers and new bars on the kit I bought would foul the fairing, some rather ugly brackets made to to get me back on the road but its nice to be back out there in the sun. Encountered a few problems along the way.....biggest was royal Mail trashing my headlight after I had paid to have it upgraded to HID (Took the hit on that cos didn't get a penny out of them) Still need a single seat as no amount of trying with the other I bought would make it fit and the parts all re-spraying, but that's not a major concern as I just wanna get back out riding.
Think the mirrors may have to come off again can't see past the bar ends, need something higher up..... Maybe quick fix get some bar end ones but would prefer fairing mounted
That's good progress, and I think this styling approach suits the SSie. The fairing and belly pan are from Ricambi Weiss aren't they? Ignoring the changes to handlebars, was the fairing easy to fit, and does it cover up all the gubbins like coils which the standard fairing does? I can't find a SSie-specific belly pan in the Ricambi Weiss ebay shop - did you go for a Monster one, and did anything about it need modifying?
got an inprovement on my ss headlight, used relays and really thick wire to standard unit so that is gets the full 13 volts rather than the standard 11 volts, this made a huge improvement when you find a decent single seat set up let me know as I would like to ditch the dual seat on my bike
Fairing was fairly easy to fit even though mine isn't sitting where it would do on a bike with clip on's....... Johnboy has the same fairing too. Hardest part for me was getting the square block under the screen to fit as there didn't appear to be as much area to mount it onto as the standard ducati plastics. Coils for now are quite exposed and not covered but when I figure out a better place to put them they will be moved, was thinking under the seat at the front of the tray or under tank if I can find a spare inch of so. I could put them inside the fairing which would be less unsightly. To be honest I was more bothered about riding it more for now, that was my later job. Bellypan was a D0250 from evil bay at £33.99, made own brackets which were a bit more of a fiddle than buying some with it but it went on with minimum aggro, although I did trim some plastic off around the stand and where the rear brake lever sits to get a better fit which wasn't any great problem.
Like that Ken, cheap fix. Will let you know when I find a seat unit, plenty out there depends what you want to pay
Well as I'm off to Scotland in around five weeks decided to get my finger out and finish off the appearance on my Ss. The biggest job is getting the bellypan and fairing sprayed up to match the rest, so spurred on by johnboy and his home sprayed fairing I thought I'd give it a go. So far going good etch primer and basecoat achieved with any runs or bit's causing issue's. Very impressed with paint from Rs paints going on like a treat even in rattle cans. Hopefully be able to get a few before and after pictures up soon..... Assuming the top coat and lacquer goes as well..... Fingers crossed!
Ain't taking any chances opted to do the bellypan first, two coats of etch primer, three base coats with a quick wet and dry and three coats of top coats completed. Let it harden overnight then I think one more coat then ready for lacquer. Pre warned the missus the house will stink tomorrow as it needs to dry somewhere other than the garage where it's not massively warm.
Managed a bit more today although weather was too crap to lacquer the bellypan. Fibreglass filled the indicator holes as they won't be needed on the fairing, so will have another bash tomorrow at filling and preparing it. Definitely need another can of top coat and primer as used more than I'd anticipated on the bellypan. All adds to the fun.... Here's the obligatory picture of a dustbin.
Just ordered some more paint from RS as the belly pan took more than anticipated. Progressing well with the top fairing although I will have to re visit the indicator holes as the filler sunk slightly now its dry so needs another layer. Bought some rim tapes from the states which i'm undecided on still ..... the you tube video made them look easy to install although it was more like the krypton factor, plus point is they hide the scratch to the rim done when I had my tyres fitted.
At last thats the paint inhalation finished, lacquer drying and hopefully have it back on the road by next weekend. Only four weeks till Scotland now where's that tent.
