Carburetor's Synchronized (finally!)

Finally got around to synchronizing the carburetor, all two of 'em. Much easier than an in-line four cylinder.

Took it down the road a bit for a spin before the synchronization, seemed to run okay, but there was still a bit of a hesitation.

There was also a vacuum leak that I discovered while prepping for the synchronization. The vacuum cap over one of the ports was cracked, so I picked up some new caps at O'reillys to repair the leak. Hoping for a longer ride when I'm off work next week.

Getting colder - still not done.

Well, it is now December, and I've still not completely wrapped up the project. The SBK forks didn't work out, for two reasons, first reason, the left side caliper support mounting arm is slightly tweaked which didn't allow the caliper to sit parallel to the rotor, second reason, the boring of the top triple was slightly off one one side - probably not a real deal killer.

I ended up getting not one, but two more top triples. The first for the stock forks and the second to be bored out for the SBK forks. Bike is currently sitting in the shop on the trickle charger.

I finally pulled the carburetors just to see if the float level was right, and one of the carburetors wasn't quite on the money. The carburetors are back in place and I'm hoping to get it all back together this weekend.

The temperatures are supposed to be higher next week, so I'm hoping I'll get a chance to go for a spin.

Additionally, I need to send off the left-hand SBK fork so the brake caliper mounting arm can be straightened and also get the extra top triple bored - not sure if I can find a place locally or if I'll have to send it off.

Bike is going to be sold come springtime - I ended up selling my 2004 VW Jetta TDI and got a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata for a replacement daily driver, so no more motorcycles (for the moment).

Back on two wheels!

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The tank is back in action...

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Now I'm waiting on the wheel (powdercoater) and the new tire (FedEx) and it can be rolled (carefully ) off the bench and back on the road.

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New handlebar, grips and "new to me" stock mirrors.

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749S Dark front fender.

The SBK forks are installed...

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Decided to take the front wheel in for powder coating along with a few other items.

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Installed the "beer tray" and rear light.

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New front steering bearings, sourced from Bevel Heaven

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New oil seals and dust seals for the SBK forks.

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Last, but not least, the SBK forks installed and shimmed.  Much thanks to Marty for straightening the left fork and boring out the Monster top triple for the SBK forks.

Tomorrow, I should be able to get the new handlebar setup with all of the controls and hopefully drop the gas tank back in place.

Even more progress...

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Decided to pull the rear wheel off to clean and inspect the sprocket and the cush drive.

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Closeup of the rear sprocket.

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Other side with the rear disc removed.

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Right side, wheel back in place.

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Left side, wheel back in it's proper location.

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Closeup of the exhaust cross-over.

Link to some additional pictures from April

Progress had been made...but the fork still isn't back from the shop.

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The pre-load adjuster for the shock is mounted off the rear of the exhaust clamp bolt, looks nice and is somewhat protected from damage by the passenger peg.

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Another view of the right side, you can see the new M5 Works handlebar, which was sourced from ca-cycleworks.com, great place to order parts, and they throw in a mini candy bar with every order.

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Shot of the right side, showing the new shifter (stock) which setup to shift in the more conventional manner, than the previous mangled shifter.  Take note of the somewhat cleaner region behind the front sprocket (the retaining bolts will be installed).

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After removing the steerer, it appears that new steering bearings are required, and have been ordered and should arrive next week (hopefully the fork will also be done next week).

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Closeup of the damage to the front wheel, still not sure if I'm going to polish the lip, or just leave it along.  I'm going to check on the cost of power-coating next week, and if it's not too outrageous, I might just go that route, or not.

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Other side of the wheel is pretty clean, there is one smallish scratch, but that's all.

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This guy (or gal, as I don't know how to check the sex of snakes) had been hanging out in the shop all week.  A friend from church mentioned how he wouldn't mind having a black snake to keep down the mouse population in his shed, so in lieu of the usual smash and throw on the burn pile, I saved this one for Ron, here's to Ron, a braver man than I.

The Ohlins has landed, i.e., the shock is finally installed w/the reservoir in the proper location. Next up the front forks and then all the little ancillary parts...then it can finally be started!

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Removed the front forks as part of prepping for the new 748S 749S SBK forks. One of which needs to be straightened. I also have to have the top triple bored out to 53mm from the stock 51mm while the lower triple will have to be shimmed as the Monster lower triple is 54mm.

I also plan on changing out the rear shock while the bike is suspended so it should be ready to roll once I get the forks and top triple back from the shop.

Carburetor(s) back on the bike (finally)

Carburetor's are back on the bike with the FactoryPro jet kit and new tubes. Next step is to get the rear shock installed and possibly finally start riding again.

The kit was installed with the following options:

• 137.5 main jet
• 42.5 pilot jet
• Ti Needles with the shim on the second position.
• 2.5 turns for both mixture screws.

I ended up getting a pair of SBK forks, but one of them is tweaked and will need to be straightened (hopefully by Mr. Blotter).

Bike is definitely cleaner than it was before the carb's were removed to be modified.

Clean

Not clean

Ducati Monster 750 Intake Valve

Fuzzy closeup of the vertical cylinder intake valve movement (by hand).

Valves have been checked and the new belts installed..

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Bike stripped down for valve checking. I ended up getting the valve shims from www.ducatitoolrental.com. You can "rent" the shim kit and then return the kit when you're done. Saves countless 2.5 hour drives to the closest Ducati dealer (www.letko.com, great guys, excellent mail order place).

Anyway, I also rented the "toolkit" for checking the valves, which I ended up keeping just because I like tools.

Only one closer needed to be replaced, the one on the horizontal exhaust. I also had to replace to opener shims on the vertical cylinder, but if I had been smart, I could have simply swapped them, oh well, live and learn. So I did end up using two of the shims from the rented kit, which was included in the rental price.

Next item on my agenda is to rebuild the carburetors with a jet kit and install my 'new to me' Ohlins.

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Belts are in the process of being removed...

New belts in place and tensioned using the 5mm hex key approach.

Duc in snow

Video from before the dismantling process began.

Before and after shots of the tank

Shot of the tank before the repair process.


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Shot of the tank after the repair

Bike on bench (finally)

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Tank is done!

Tank will be sent back from Frosty Finishes next Monday!!!  I decided to take the safe and simple route and had the tank shot with a nice matte black.

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Next, I need to drag the bike up on the work table (finally done) and start stripping the bike down in order to get the frame powder coated at Performance Coating (local place, which should save  a bunch on shipping!)

I'm still trying to decide on a color, it's either white or red (gloss finish).  Probably go with white, just to help "pop".