Some more MotoCorse parts to fit maybe this afternoon, courtesy of @Conquest Racing plus new fasteners from Pro Bolt. Got to catch up with the Australian MotoGP Q2 session and Sprint race first.
Decided rather than Cerakote the OEM parts as on my previous build, which looked "OK", I've replaced them entirely with these billet aluminium parts from MotoCorse, which are in a different league altogether. Lower rear suspension support bracket Upper rear suspension support bracket Upper bracket fitted to the bike. Top two bolts (Pro Bolt M8 x 25mm) torqued to 30Nm. Lower bolt to 35Nm. Lower bracket fitted to the bike. All three bolts torqued to 35Nm. (Pro Bolt M8 x 25mm). The eagle-eyed amongst you may notice the two pin studs on the gear position sensor. These are to mount the cooling duct that was introduced on later Panigales, to offset overheating problems, that in the past resulted in failures of the unit. These brackets have to be fitted before the swingarm can go back on, else it is impossible to access the central two bolts where the two parts meet. Next up will be the rocker arm and link rods then the swing arm can go back on, followed by the rear shock absorber. Because the torque values for the 3 x M12 bolts that hold the rear suspension linkages together are so high, these will be tightened once the assembly is complete, with suspension unloaded/supported. Since I am waiting on more parts, I will turn my attention to some other sub-assemblies, that I can work on in the meantime.
Few small jobs today. Replaced the 4 inner air duct bolts with these titanium flanged head M5 x 15mm torx bolts from RaceTi. Torqued to 6Nm. Cyclone retaining bolt. ACCU M4 x 8mm button head stainless steel socket bolt, torqued to 3Nm. Same for the other side, this bolt retains the radiator link pipe bracket and clutch line clip More billet alloy parts. This time it's the clutch slave cylinder from CNC Racing, one of several parts transferred across from the previous bike. Fitted to the bike with Pro Bolt M6 socket cap bolts, torqued to 10Nm. The top and bottom bolts are not yet torqued to spec as they will have to be removed to fit the sprocket cover.
Managed to separate the cush drive rubbers from the OEM sprocket, nuts and carrier today. All the OEM stuff will get packed away, as I have other plans for the rear end, as will be revealed in the coming days.
Installed part of the Ducati Spacers heat shield kit, in an effort to mitigate some of the heat coming from the engine and exhaust. RHS rear subframe with heat shield panels fitted and Ilmberger carbon cylinder head cover LHS rear subframe with heat shield panels fitted and Ilmberger carbon cylinder head cover Next up will be the heat shielding for the underside of the seat pad The kit came with an extended RHS plastic cylinder head cover, but since I have the standard size carbon version, I will stick with that. It also came with heat shielding for the LHS plastic cover which again I won't be using, as this has a foam liner which is pretty good at insulating the heat and also acts as sound deadening. One point worth noting was that I had to machine a slot into the OEM bolt heads holding the cylinder head covers on, since yet again they were laced with way too much Loctite, so if you are aiming to remove your own ones, use plenty of heat and a correctly sized allen key, else you can try my method instead, if you end up stripping the heads. All bolts replaced with ACCU M4 x 8mm button head stainless steel bolts, torqued to 3Nm and a TINY dab of Loctite 243.
Now that sadly Lieb Carbon are no longer making carbon parts, I had to make up a template to create the foil bonding panels (that were originally supplied in the fitting kit) which the subframe carbon covers attach to. I managed to salvage one of the original ones when removing the covers from the previous bike, and traced around it onto some card and then from that traced the shape out onto some adhesive heat reflective foil, to create the RHS panel. I then simply reversed the card and repeated the process, to make up one for the opposite side of the subframe. These foil panels allow you to bond the carbon covers into position, by applying mastic to each panel, as opposed to the subframe surface itself, so are a must to have in place, if you want to preserve and keep the subframe intact, should you remove the carbon covers. I am waiting on some Parabond 600 mastic sealant, which is what Peter supplied in all his kits, then I can fit the covers in place. The carbon covers themselves are also retained by four bolts on each side to the subframe. The bonding panels merely ensure a tight & snug fit, in the area where these bolts have the least effect. I have some trick parts from MotoCorse that fit onto these subframe castings, but minor mods are needed first, to ensure they will fit perfectly. Please bear with me however, as these won't feature in the build for some time due to the order in which sub-assemblies go together.
Time to start adding some parts to swingarm. This time Pro Bolt M6 x 16mm dome head bolts and M6 x 3mm collars. These combine to form the chain slider bolts. Torqued to 5Nm and Loctite 243. Setting the swingarm to one side for now, it was time to assemble the new rear sprocket, QC carrier, cush drives and flange. Decided to go with Sitta this time, as I had heard good reports from others on their quality, fit and finish. This is a 520 setup, which is standard with the SP2. Added to these are the titanium sprockets nut from RSR Moto I elected to use the OEM cush drives, as these are only 400 miles old and perfectly serviceable.
Fitted the cush drives to the quick change carrier. Flange fitted. Sprocket nuts torqued to 44Nm (as per the manual) with a dab of Loctite 243 Rear sprocket fitted (stock 41 tooth option). 1/4 turn fasteners secure it to the QC carrier. With that done, it was time to break out the special grease for the swingarm pivots and retaining bolts. Swingarm fitted. Pivot bolts torqued to 100Nm. Next job was to fit another MotoCorse part. This time one half of the side support plates (RHS). I also took the opportunity to fit the Termignoni exhaust bracket as well. 3 x Pro Bolt M8 x 20mm bolts used. The swing arm shaft pinch bolt is torqued to 20Nm. The other two that bolt to the engine are 25Nm OEM 520 front sprocket refitted. Not as yet torqued to spec. That will have to wait until the new chain is fitted. (The yellow marker on it is a hangover from the factory and will be replaced) Hope to fit the rear sprocket/carrier later this weekend. Not much else I can do until the parts come back from the Cerakoters and the paint shop. I may fit the frame, depending on if there is enough clearance to fit the metal coolant tube once it is in place (which is away being Cerakoted), else I will have to wait until I get it back, fit it to the frame, then fit the frame to the engine.
Some judicious use of enamel paint and an hour of my time before refitting the sprocket assembly and titanium rear nut back onto the bike.
I admire greatly your attention to detail but every time I read the latest posts I can’t help thinking $$$$$$$$$$$$
very nice, i really like the look of the Sitta adaptor. what is the locking of the sprocket like ? 1/2 screw heads?
Yes your posts were one of the reasons I opted for this setup. That and TGP MotoRacing in Germany, who are long running exponents of their products, having used them on several of their custom bike builds.
So one of the issues I have had to deal with are some of the extra or modified parts that come as part of the full Akrapovic exhaust sytem, that naturally don't if you choose another brand, such as Termignoni in my case. However after much research and a patient local dealer, I've managed to source all the extra parts required, which take into account removal of the EVAP canister and exhaust valve motor. Things like the additional breather tubes, purge line bung, purge valve connector blank, exhaust valve connector blank and the modified ABS bracket, as well as various clips, grommets, rubber pads and heat shielding. It's taken a while to source them all, but I finally have a complete set. For example the ABS bracket that is only available if ordered as a V4 Superleggera part. This part does away with all the additional plastic that would have housed the exhaust valve motor and would otherwise be redundant. On the left is the OEM ABS bracket and the modified one on the right Dampers and bushing were removed from OEM bracket across to the new one. Heat shielding panel fitted to the back of the new bracket. Since the front headers on the Termignoni system do not come with a heat shield in the kit, this is the only protection the ABS unit has from the searing temperatures, so it's important to apply it as per the recommendation. There is another small grommet, rubber strip and Hellerman tie to fit (all parts ordinarily only supplied in the full Akrapovic kit), then the bracket will be ready to mount back on the bike at a later date.
Just ordered some special titanium bolts from TGP MotoRacing in Germany, that are specifically made for the MotoCorse rear linkage, rocker arm and suspension brackets. Hope to have them by the weekend so I can assemble the rear end and fit the shock. The torque values are much lower than OEM spec but they have fitted these bolts on ten of their custom build bikes with zero issues.
