[Lost]

Not that it's not already a fine bike, but some things always need some changing to make it yours. In this case it's "Hers". I just wrench on it and get to ride it whenever she's not...
I figured I'd start a thread to document and share some photos of what we've done.



So far we've blacked out all the decals by covering them up with vinyl wrap, blackout out all but one of the far too many Ducati logos on the bike and rerouted the cable on the bars for a cleaner look.
I also removed the charcoal canister, added panniers, a belly pan, Dart screen, 44t rear sprocket from Sprocket Center, Ohlins shock from Kyle Racing for $550, and a Termi Race slip on.

To help match the crappy OEM forks to the Ohlins shock sprung for her weight I changed the oil to a slightly lighter oil (5wt) and reduced the volume by 5cc's in each fork.
I also cut 5mm off the spring preload spacer.
The ride feels less harsh to me on familiar roads and I'm hoping the small change in preload will help the bike have the correct sag front and rear for her, but I haven't measured it yet. Not as good as having Ohlins forks for sure but it is a cheap easy mod I could do now to try to improve the ride for her.

I removed the cross bar in the Termi race exhaust baffle insert, eliminating the annoying whistle sound. DIY found HERE.

Since the license plate finally came in the mail I made a bracket out of Kydex to mount it on since I removed the OEM one with all the extra plastic bits and reflectors.

Also installed some Amazon (from China, took just a week) folding adjustable levers. The stock ones were just waiting for the bike to be dropped so they could break and end a ride, hopefully these will help avoid that, plus she likes the position she can now have the levers at with more adjustability.
She added a Ducati handlebar bag to replace the tank bag she's used to on other bikes too for her stuff.

New tail end, blacked out Ducati logo on seat and panniers plus the whistle free respectably loud exhaust.

Last but not least I installed a Cyclops LED headlight lamp replacement. I have these lights on other bikes and appreciate the extra lumens plus higher color temperature look. The headlight is the same color as the ring now.

It was a bitch to get in there, taking off and installing the headlight is a PITA, and the door that seals the housing doesn't go back on with the Cyclops installed, but we live in drought stricken California so for the time being I'm not concerned about rain. The Cyclops light itself water won't hurt (see their website for photos of light powered up in a glass of water), it's only the OEM LED ring that would concern me... if we rode in a lot of rain, which she won't when riding locally.

Phhhewww!
I still think it need a custom seat to replace that painful thing, but she says it's fine for her, even after 200 miles. I'll wait till we do a 400-500 mile day on a trip and see what she says...



I usually don't go all out right from the start setting up a new bike, but having a bike that's perfect for my lady in just about every way is priceless and been far more fun than making my bikes mine...

:nerd:

 

[motojedeye]

Nice write up!

 

[jhwalker]

Well done. Like all of the mods.


Any chance that you could post a vid with the exhaust mod? I want to mod the exhaust but nothing has rung the bell yet...

 

[greer]

Wow, thanks for the pictures and the details. That's some genius work on those forks, let us know how that works out as she puts on some miles. Thanks again for the excellent write-up.


Sarah

 

[Lost]

Thanks!

I don't have a video quite yet, sorry.


First impression by Nancy are good, "less bumpy" she says.

I think now the forks will be just fine for some time, when I ride the bike there's nothing that's jumping out at me saying THIS IS WRONG.
It rides nice now, I think I luckily found a good enough spot for a lightweight rider for the OEM forks.
She has just over 1000 miles on the bike so far, as things progress I'll ask her if she wants to share some first hand thoughts here. The real test will be to do what we like to do and wander for days with a mix of tarmac and dirt road riding while back country camping. That's when you really get to know a bike, after you sleep next to it on the ground.

 

[greer]

There you go. But in recent years I find I prefer my bike parked just outside the door of my cheap motel. Thanks again, and post updates when you can.


Sarah

 

[tonyjuliano]

That's when you really get to know a bike, after you sleep next to it on the ground.

So true! Very well said, and you have done a wonderful job on behalf of your "significant other", she should be very appreciative.

 

[Zeus]

Not sure about the lighter grey coloring, I think I might prefer black, but everything else looks great.

Does your wife get to approve of everything before you start fiddling?

 

[Lost]

Not sure about the lighter grey coloring, I think I might prefer black, but everything else looks great.

Does your wife get to approve of everything before you start fiddling?

She most certainly is in full control of the esthetic decisions from the start, she has good taste and doesn't like stickers, logos and reflectors all over the place. I've been doing the mechanical stuff on my own. She's very happy with all the mods, loves the sound, loves the smoother ride.
She's been riding about 5 years now and has had a few bikes, I've never seen her so relaxed, confident and comfortable before.
She said, "it's like I've had it all along", usually it takes her time and many miles to get familiar with a new bike, this was perfect from the start and with the mods is even more perfecter. (is that a word?)

She's coming from a R NineT most recently (just sold) with a few BMW's before that one and still has a Honda CRF250L for our dual sport adventures.
The scrambler is the goldilocks bike right in the middle and just right.

I'm not sure what you mean by lighter grey coloring though, we haven't changed any colors besides blacking out some stuff, the only grayish color would be the stock aluminum parts found on every Classic.
Speaking of which I still need to clear coat the tank panels or vinyl wrap them clear, I see scuffs from riding pants forming already.

 

[Vincelp]

Hello


What about the damping behaviour with the lighter oil ?


I was told by Maxton guys that the damping value was not enough (too fast rebound) and as far as I know, if you use lighter oil (more fluent), it may increase the rebound speed.

 

[TransNone13]

Lost, what's your feedback on the increased rear sprocket? I ask because I've been considering it, but the first gear is so short already.

 

[Conrad Wahren]

I would love some feedback on the sprocket and front fork attitude.

 

[Lost]

Overall the 44t rear sprocket certainly helps with the super short first gear and also at highway speeds. Once we need to replace the chain I'll probably go to a 42t or up one in front. I went with the 44t because at the time there were no front sprockets available and I didn't want to change the chain. Still content with the mod though, for the small amount of cash it's certainly worth it.

As for the fork changes, it's just a bandaid which helps on pavement with the harshness with a lightweight rider on the bike, but off tarmac it's too soft and blows through he stroke too easily.
I'm not a suspension guru, while I've played with different oils on different bikes to tune them for me, this mod is just something I tried to improve the ride for a 130 pound rider until we can get it done proper. If you are 50 pounds lighter than the "average" weight the bike is made for it does seem to help on the street. Eventually we will get properly valved forks to get the best of both worlds, maybe from SB but I'm still waiting to see if Ohlins will be coming out with a kit.




SW_Motech bars added, along with the throttle tamer tube.

 

[Kayser Söze]

Wait ! Throttle tamer tube ? Never heard of that. Tell me it is a cheap fix for the crappy on/off throttle !!!!!

 

[Ed K]

Just catching up here Lost, looking great! Thanks for posting.