So I got a bike.. (Ducati S2R, 1000cc swap, clip-ons, etc.)

[95naSTA]

I've had my license for about 3 years but never got not a bike till now.

It's an '07 Ducati Monster S2R800 with 15k on it. The only mods are a K&N panel filter and EX Box exhaust. The seller picked it up a year ago and says the valves were adjusted and the timing belts were changed by the original owner but there's no paperwork. It needed a battery, and could use a good cleaning. He was asking 5200 and I picked it up for 4200, so the final price reflected all that. The new battery is in and I put about 10 miles on it today. It is crazy fun, sounds awesome, and I love the style. I don't have any plans for it other than maintenance. It'll just be a fun way to get to work.

[nos4blood70]

Looks like a lot of fun! Not a bad deal either.

[WhiteArrow3800]

That's awesome! I've had my license for a couple years now as well. I picked up a bike last year on the cheap. Mechanically it is good. Motor was rebuilt, new carbs, new brakes, new tires, most everything else recently replaced. Went to check it out and it started up fine, I rode it around for a few miles and decided to get it. It was an hour away from the house, but by the time I got home to unload it off the truck it was dead. It's been plagued with electrical issues and so I haven't been able to really ride it since. I need to get around to fixing it again since it's nice out.

[zuper8]

Cool, I really like the look of that bike! With all of your car projects, I bet it will be nice to have another method of transportation handy.

I am very interested to see if you will actually leave it alone.

[00Beast]

Nice!

[95naSTA]

I did an oil change today and a quick mod. The bike has one drop mirror off the left handlebar that had an iron cross on the front. I wasn't feeling it so I did this:



Full pic here.

[MattStrike]

Looks good! I like the look of single sided swing arm bikes.

[00Beast]

I did an oil change today and a quick mod. The bike has one drop mirror off the left handlebar that had an iron cross on the front. I wasn't feeling it so I did this:



Full pic here.

Lol!

[95naSTA]

I picked up a jacket and popped my highway cherry yesterday.. Man that was scarey the first time. This morning wasn't so bad.

[95naSTA]

So I put over 500 miles on the bike in about the two weeks I've been home. It. Is. Awesome.

I've spend some time on closed courses getting comfortable leaning etc. and it's really accelerated the learning curve. I always kind of felt like riding BMX for over 15 years (with no brakes mind you) would give me an advantage and I really think it has. I'm feeling more and more comfortable while still maintaining good situational awareness.

I'm glad I waited to mature a bit more before I got a bike but at the same time it feels so natural like I should have been on one all along.

Posted up next to my buddy's SV650


As far as not leaving the bike alone.. I have to say.. I saw this triple clamp and clip on setup and it really had me reconsidering..



Definitely not this season but it may be in the future.. I've got maintenance scheduled for the 11th of next month and the plan is just to ride the crap out of it after.

[yourgrandma]

Ducs sure are sexy. Congrats.

[95naSTA]

^^ Thanks!

I had the belts changed, and valves adjusted last week by a friend of a friend at a European bike specialty shop. They offered to swap the rear pads, flush all the fluid hydraulic fluid, clean/adjust my chain for only and hour of labor too, so I had that done as well. I've just just under 1k miles on it since I got it now.

Went up north of Philly this weekend with a coworker to Van Sant Airport: http://www.vansantairport.com/

They have biplanes, old U.S. Navy aircraft, gilders, and even do stunt plane rides. The surrounding area is littered with twisties so it ends up being a bike show as well. I took the Duc and my buddy had his speed tripple. Good times.

Sorry for the crappy quality. I'll have to keep a better camera on me for these rides.






Biplane take off: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/u ... directlink

Glider tug and take off: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/u ... directlink

I'm a sun and beach guy for sure but these winding PA roads have really made me gain a new appreciation for my state.

[95naSTA]

When I picked the bike up it had these odd stains on the side plastics by the seat. Soap and water yielded zero improvement..

So, I decided to use Forever Black on them and they turned out great. The included cleaner lightened some of the stains but wouldn't remove them no matter how much I scrubbed. But, when I used the dye, it covered it all.

[MattStrike]

The stains look like a reaction from a non-UV stabilized plastic (PA66?)

[burger]

Nice bike! I love Ducatis. I got a couple bikes and in the summer its the only way to get around, I don't think my car has moved in over a week. Have you taken a MSF safety course?

[95naSTA]

Thanks!

Yeah, I more or less ride every day it isn't going to rain on the to/from commute. I've been getting the g/f on board with taking the bike vs. car due to the ease of parking at a lot of locations too.

And I took the PA motorcycle saftey course to get my license 3 years back. It was free and awesome. I went with a friend who I've ridden BMX with for 10+ years. When it came to take the test we were 1st and 2nd in line due to our last names and we nailed the test. lol.

[95naSTA]

The MPH gauge had a small crack when I got it.. It eventually went up and diagonally more than 3/4 of the way across the bezel's face. New gauge clusters are 7-800, used are 400+ and every once in a while you'll see one for under 200. The face can't be bought alone and there's no easy way to cut out the convex lens without destroying the bezel.

I wasn't trying to spend a few hundred so I've been looking for a compatible gauge off a similar Duc. I found one on ebay month or so ago but it had a crack in the bezel that wasn't mentioned in the description.. Returned without issue though. I've been keeping an eye out on part outs too without much luck in my price range. I found a 2002 Ducati Monster 620 IE gauge on ebay that looked similar and decided to give it a whirl.

It was very similar in size/shape but held together much different. The face did not mount to my SR2's bucket and gauges.. What I decided to do was swap my S2R's guts unto the 620's. Some dremeling, cutting, and gluing was required but I was able to make it happen. And since the lens was in rough shape I wet sanded it with 2000 grit and sealed it with 50/50 thinner/urethane. The good thing is none of the S2R parts were modified. So I can swap it all back. The bad news is it's relying on a tight fit of the rubber grommet, and HV-350 (sealant/adhesive) to keep the face on. The HV-350 dries rubbery so it should be good with vibes. And the S2R gauge was slightly larger making the grommet tighter.

[00Beast]

Nice work!

[MattStrike]

Get a cover for the guages to block UV when it's parked out in the sun, it should prevent the new pods from cracking. My windscreen is angled back enough to do the same.

[95naSTA]

Been having some funnn.

<3 twisties




I decided to replace the chain since it's binding slightly and 17.5k old. I'm doing the sprockets too and switching to a quick change rear with a +1 took count for now. Went with a gold chain and black rear sprocket. Parts are in the mail.

Also, a few weeks ago when I was out there for work, I got to do some riding in Southern Cali with a buddy that moved out there. He held onto his first bike (Suzuki GS500) when he got his Honda VFR1200. So, he conveniently has a spare.
We stumbled upon Lyons Valley Rd in 91935 and it was amazing. Tight switch backs, banked turns, guard rails of death, tight elevation changes.. I could have did that all day. I obviously would have loved to have more than 47 hp but the bike's lighter weight made it really easy to whip around. I dusted my buddy on his 1200 but that has a lot to do with the weight and the fact he mainly does highway riding.. I can't wait to go back.