Canyon Stan's Ducati 749 Site

Meet Duchess, my Ducati 749!!

Home
Archives
The PACE
Vanishing Point

May 2009
SMTWTFS
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31      

Thursday, May 28th

20th Mod: Billet Aluminum Brake Pedal Lever


So, I exercised my right to stumble across something new. wink My 20th mod took about 25 minutes to install, mostly because I had to take the right side fairing off. I won a Black Anodized billet aluminum brake pedal lever made by the Gas Cap Dude in an auction on Ebay.
Duchess_Billet_BrakePedalLever (40k image)

I was a bit skeptical about bidding on it at first, because I did need the extension piece that was sent with the Ottimoto rearsets. I emailed the Gas Cap Dude and told him about my needs and he said they make a extension piece that he could add for $5. That's all I need to hear to "Buy It Now".

I really like the looks of this pedal lever vs. the cheesy looking extension that was provided in the Ottimoto rearset kit. Ottimoto would be smart if they got the Gas Cap Dude to make this brake lever pedal for them to include in their rearset kits (which do include a shifter pedal lever). Ottimoto? Hello? Are you listening?
Stan on 05.28.09 @ 11:04 PM PST [link]


Sunday, May 24th

Ducati Group Ride


Today I went on a ride with some fellow Ducatisti (Ducati fans). The ride was actually posted in several Ducati forums as well as some of the Bay Area Riders Forums, including the one I just joined B.A.R.F. (which stands for Bay Area Riders Forum). From what I can tell, BARF is the biggest riders forum in the Bay.

The early morning risers all met for some coffee at the Starbuck in Saratoga before we headed up Hwy 9:
DucGroupRide_01 (50k image)

Hwy 9 was actually really clear and nice. Except for the LEO who was walking towards the center line with his arms out when we went by. We weren't quite sure wanted us to stop and decided not to take our chances. Those bringing up the rear of the pack were merely given the "slow down" sign by the LEO.

Once we got on Skyline there was still a lot of fog and the roads were still wet in not just a few places.

Once we got to the 2nd meeting spot in Woodside, we all headed up back up towards Skyline hoping it the fog had burned off. It hadn't. As we all stood there, cold and slightly wet; we decided if we wanted the ride to continue the ride it would be best to find warmer climates and head east.

We eventually decided to head up Mt. Hamilton. Despite the technical switchbacks on the way up to the Observatory, it was well worth the ride for the warmer weather.
DucGroupRide_02 (33k image)

DucGroupRide_03 (39k image)

DucGroupRide_04 (19k image)

DucGroupRide_05 (30k image)

I think the real fun began after I took these pictures, going down the backside of Mt. Hamilton to the roads leading to this motorcycle hangout called "The Junction" were a blast. We had lunch at "the Junction" and then had even more fun on some roads I don't remember the name of, but I got into a good rhythm on these roads.

Great Day with a great bunch of Ducatisti. big grin
Stan on 05.24.09 @ 09:59 PM PST [link]


Saturday, May 23rd

19th Mod: Pazzo Racing Levers


My 19th mod took a little over 30 minutes to install. I won a set of Pazzo Racing levers on Ebay. What I really like about the Pazzo levers are the options available. I go a set of black shorty levers with a silver adjuster.
Duchess_PazzoLevers (41k image)

At this point, I consider Duchess 'Motorcycle Makeover' complete. She now looks like the vision I had in my minds eye when I first bought her. I still reserve the right to stumble across something new, but at this point, there are no more parts on order.

It's time to ride . . tomorrow I'll be going to a Ducati Group ride, so it looks like I finished Duchess just in time. wink
Stan on 05.23.09 @ 06:19 PM PST [link]


Thursday, May 21st

Suspension Setup by Evolution Suspension


This really isn't a mod, per-se, but I think this is some of the best money you can spend (on the motorcycle itself) to help make your riding better. Get your suspension properly setup for YOU. You can't really do this by yourself, you need at least a couple of friends and someone that's got some experience or knowledge of how to set the suspension.

I have both, but didn't really have anyone around to hold the bike for me, so I took it over to Rob at Evolution Suspension.
EvolutionSuspension_Sign (20k image)

EvolutionSuspension_Duchess (38k image)

For a mere $40, he was able to determine I didn't need new springs (luckily) and setup my suspension for me. Turns out, Duchess didn't have enough preload in the front or the rear, but it was really bad in the rear with an extra 10mm of static sag. Apparently, the previous owner never set it.
EvolutionSuspension_Work (41k image)

Big thanks to Rob for getting my suspension dialed in for me. big grin
Stan on 05.21.09 @ 01:05 PM PST [link]


18th Mod: Carbon Fiber Cam Belt Cover


My 18th Mod took about 45 minutes to install, thanks to the help of a great Step-by-step write-up on how to do it that I found on Ducatisti.co.uk. I won a Carbon Fiber Cam Belt Cover made by Pit-eck in an auction on Ebay.
Duchess_CF_CamBeltCover (45k image)

Overall, it looks really good, but I'm not quite as satisfied with the fitment as I was with the other Pit-Eck Carbon Fiber parts I've order. The bottom 2 holes on the cover don't properly line up, so I consequently went without putting them in. Since they are hard to see and the cover fits tightly without them.
Stan on 05.21.09 @ 12:27 PM PST [link]


Tuesday, May 19th

17th Mod: Carbon Fiber Ram Air Cover


My 17th mod took about 30 minutes to install. I won a Carbon Fiber Ram Air cover off Ebay from Cruiser Backrest:
Duchess_CF_RamAirCover (48k image)

The fit isn't quite as good as I'd hoped, but the little 'imperfections' are hard to notice unless you look close.
Stan on 05.19.09 @ 09:16 PM PST [link]


Friday, May 15th

16th Mod: Progrip Gel Grips


My 16th Mod took about 5 minutes to install. I won a pair of Progrip EVO725 Gel Grips from my friends at Desmo Porsche off Ebay.
Duchess_GelGrips (43k image)

I haven't really had a chance to use them yet, but I've owned Progrip Grips before and really liked the extra 'feel' and comfort.
Stan on 05.15.09 @ 05:59 PM PST [link]


Wednesday, May 13th

15th Mod: Puig Racing Windscreen


My 15th, mod took about 30 minutes to install, mostly because used well-nuts are hard to get install the new windscreen. I ordered a Puig Double Height Racing Windscreen from Hyperformance Parts.
Duchess_Puig_Windscreen (50k image)

Hyperformance Parts had a 4-6 week lead time on the windscreen because they had to special order it. It took about 5 weeks from the time I ordered it to the time I received it.

I really like the look of the Puig windscreens and I was happy to get rid of that 'Cyclops-look' caused by the running light.
Stan on 05.13.09 @ 05:21 PM PST [link]


Tuesday, May 12th

14th Mod: Ducati CNC Billet Reservoir Caps


My 14th mod only took 10 minutes to install. It could have only taken 5 minutes, but I took my time because I didn't want to spill any brake fluid anywhere. I won a pair of Ducati CNC Billet Reservoir Caps from MC Motoparts off Ebay.
Duchess_Billet_ResCaps (38k image)

I think they look good. Subtle yet still custom if you're looking closely and know a thing or two about what the stock one looks like.
Stan on 05.12.09 @ 08:03 PM PST [link]


Monday, May 11th

13th Mod: Carbon Fiber Hugger/Chain Guard


My 13th mod took about 30 minutes to install. After mistakenly bidding and winning a hugger for the 2003-2004 749/999 and having to send it back, I ordered this one directly from Carbon World.
Duchess_CF_Hugger (55k image)

It did cost me more than the one that I won on Ebay, but it's better that it fits. wink

Since I took the day off, I decided to take a ride to Alice's Restaurant for a late lunch after getting the hugger installed.
Duchess_Alices_Restaurant (46k image)

For those that followed my SoCal exploits, Alice's seems to be the NorCal equivalent of the Rock Store . . just with fewer celebrities razz
Stan on 05.11.09 @ 05:59 PM PST [link]


Thursday, May 7th

12th Mod: Carbon Fiber Seat Cowl


My 12th mod took about 10 minutes to install, but should have take 2 minutes. I won a Carbon Fiber Seat cowl off Ebay from Euro Shop of Waco, who actually imported it from eMoto:

Duchess_CF_SeatCowl2 (44k image)

The only thing I can complain about is the latch was put on backwards confused Once I figured that out, took it off and put it on the right way, it fit nicely and looks good. big grin
Stan on 05.07.09 @ 11:46 PM PST [link]


Tuesday, May 5th

11th Mod: Carbon Fiber Sprocket Cover


My 11th mod took about 20 minutes to install. I won a Carbon Fiber Sprocket cover off Ebay from Cruiser Backrest:
Duchess_CF_SprocketCover (57k image)

The reason it took as long as it did is because the original sprocket cover is about a half inch thick where the bolts hold it to the bike. The Carbon Fiber piece isn't nearly that thick, so, to prevent it from wiggling around, I created my own grommet/stand-off from some rubber tubing.

I've still got more stuff on the way, so continue to stay tuned. . .
Stan on 05.05.09 @ 07:36 PM PST [link]


Monday, May 4th

10th Mod: Carbon Fiber Key Tank Guard Trim


My 10th mod took about 5 minutes to install. I won a Desmo-Porsche Carbon Fiber Key Tank Guard Trim on Ebay.
Duchess_CF_KeyTankGuard (41k image)

I've got more Carbon Fiber goodies on the way . . so stay tuned. big grin
Stan on 05.04.09 @ 06:41 PM PST [link]