Hi Dan, I have a set of the magnesium Marcheseni's. The rear is a 5.5 in. They are not particulary expensive and make the feel of my ST4 much sportier.
Well I'm still looking but decided to skip the 5-spoke cast and shop for forged aluminum or magnesium.
In over 30 years of riding I've never changed to lighter wheels. I've read about the difference in handling but never experienced it first hand. The existing wheels are the old 3-spoke cast aluminum boat anchors.
Forged magnesium are lighter and more expensive. I've read where cast magnesium shouldn't be used on the street, but forged magnesium is a lot stronger and more resistant to cracking. I guess it all boils down to cost vs benefit.
__________________
2001 ST4 Mod Rod
Built by BCM in 2004 and still running like a clock. 120 HP at the rear wheel. 55 mpg. Thanks Bruce (and Jay)!
Does anyone have other than stock wheels on their ST4. My question is: what is the width of your aftermarket wheels?
If you've swapped wheels, which model ST do you have and what is the brand and width of the rear wheel? Thanks!
I purchased some BST's from Martin, at MotoWheels. The bike is an 04 ST4s. The front was the same as stock, but the rear was slightly wider (I didn't measure it), and can accomdate a 190, but I stayed with the stock 180. Huge significant difference in handling and very noticable improvement with breaking and accelleration.
Some wheel sellers are offering 5.75" and 6.0" wide rear wheels for my ST4 - yet stock is 5.5" wide. Everyone says "no problem, they'll fit fine". I wanted to see what other owners had done.
At this point I'm probably going with Marchesini forged magnesium wheels in the stock 3.5" front and 5.5" wide rear.
Thanks for posting!
__________________
2001 ST4 Mod Rod
Built by BCM in 2004 and still running like a clock. 120 HP at the rear wheel. 55 mpg. Thanks Bruce (and Jay)!
DanST4, those are beautiful wheels, congrats! What type did you go with, the magnesium (cast or forged) or forged aluminum? I tried ordering a set of Marchesini gold forged aluminum for my ST2 but no one has them in stock right now so I have to wait between 8-12 weeks until Italy produces some and sends out a set to the US. Did you go with a 5.5 rear or wider, and if wider, any fitting issues? One last question, I know pictures don't always do the real thing justice but how shiny or bright is the gold on those wheels? A lot of pics I've seen make the gold almost look somewhat flat in color but I like a nice "bling" gold. I've been informed that Marchesini no longer imports anodized wheels into the US. Motowheels offers anodizing but it cost an additional $160.00 more. Sadly, Motowheels didn't have the gold aluminum ST wheels in stock either. I'll wait to get my bling in the meanwhile. Again, congrats on a very nice looking bike. You must be proud!
They're forged magnesium and thanks for the compliments. I like the looks - but the feeling, the steering of the bike is what's really nice. I've only ridden about 30 miles but it's like night and day. Almost 6 lbs. lighter front and rear.
I went with a stock 5.5" wide rear because I just didn't want any fitment issues. The bike was fine stock with the 5.5" wide and I saw no need to change. These wheels had to be ordered from Italy and it took a full 10 weeks.
The color? Well it's not dull, but not bright either. I'd say it's between gloss and satin. Hard to put it into words. I was concerned that it might be too much bling. But these look very nice on the bike and I have no complaints.
You'll need a different rear sprocket. I went with the Vortex hardcoated aluminum, made to fit the Marchesini bolt hole pattern. In 45 minutes of riding I can see that Vortex calls black paint "hardcoat". It's gone wherever the chain touched it! Pure garbage.
Get a good sprocket. I'll be ordering an AFAM or Renthal if I can find either in hardcoated aluminum. The last AFAM hardcoated aluminum I had looked almost new after 5,000 miles.
__________________
2001 ST4 Mod Rod
Built by BCM in 2004 and still running like a clock. 120 HP at the rear wheel. 55 mpg. Thanks Bruce (and Jay)!
Good info there DanST4...thanks. I also ordered the 5.5 rear for the same reason plus I run a stock 170 tire for quicker turn in, as many who have used the 180 rear tire have said that they later switched to the 170 for fast response in the twistys (sounds a bit extreme as I'm sure the 180 is just fine).
You don't happen to know what the hub OD (outside diameter) is on the Marchesinis or the ID of the sprocket hole do you? When I went to order the sprocket the guy asked me if I had either one of these two measurements because he said that there were two different size sprockets that fit the Marchesinis. Since I didn't have the wheels yet I could provide him with the correct measurement to ensure the proper sprocket was going to be ordered.
I'm planning on ordering a Stealth Sprocket which is a steel tooth ring riveted on a lightweight alloy body but thanks for the warning!
The wheels sound like the finish will work well with my dark blue ST. My local Ducati dealer just recently had a MV Agusta F4 Tamburini in for service with the Gold anodized 10 spoke Marchesinis and I have to say it was very very sweet!
Yet another question, did you have TiN coating added to your stock forks and if so who did it, or did you get new forks put on as I don't believe the ST4 came stock with the TiN coated fork tubes like the ST4s has? The overall look of your bike with the new goodies is great.
When I was calling around for sprockets everyone had only one listing for Marchesini wheels. The hub OD... what dimension is it you need? I suggest you call around because no one I spoke with needed either of those dimensions. Let me know exactly what you need. I bought the wheels from TAW and they're very helpful.
The forks - I had Lindemann Engineering work on them back in 2001. They did the TiN coating at the same time I had what they now call their AMA National Championship winning rebuild/revalve/respring... (it was less expensive back then).
I was thinking about a Stealth Sprocket! Might look into that tomorrow. Do you think they're well-made?
The Ducati Design headlight kit is really nice. If you need better lighting it's a good system. And the footpeg lowering kit from Desmo Times is an inexpensive winner if you need a little more legroom.
__________________
2001 ST4 Mod Rod
Built by BCM in 2004 and still running like a clock. 120 HP at the rear wheel. 55 mpg. Thanks Bruce (and Jay)!
If your looking for a reduction in unsprung weight and want the long wear of a steel sprocket then the Stealth (or tri-metal as they are also known) is is a nice alternative. Bling factor too! Sidewinder also sells a titanium front sprocket for $59.99 which should stay nice and sparkling under my new Cycle Cat slotted sprocket cover with the new DID gold chain.
I too have ordered the Nichols "flying D" timing case cover. very nice indeed.
The Ducati Designs headlight upgrade is already on my ST2. How I went so long without it is beyond me! I will also be installing an ST4s aluminum swingarm with a CF rear hugger and an Ohlins shock (resprung to my weight) when the Marchesini's arrive. I've just purchased my second set of DesmoTimes billet axle plates but this time for the aluminum swingarm. Race Tech gold valves and new 0.95kg/mm springs are also on order to go along with the rear suspension mods.
Thanks for the Lindemann and other links. I was also thinking of going the Penske route (I see you have the Penske rear shock...nice) or the Traxxion Dynamics route. I'll have to see how I like the Gold Valves and springs first.
My hub takes a 76mm ID sprocket, 5-hole on a 100mm bolt circle. Good luck with the Stealth sprocket. I called them and they don't have a listing for the Marchesini wheel in a 525 pitch. They said it's difficult to get sprockets for 525 that fit a Marchesini. Most people go with the 520 conversion...
I'm going to go with a good quality one piece aluminum sprocket in hard anodized finish. Worked before, it'll work again. Let me know if you get one and how that Stealth works for you and I may get one down the road.
__________________
2001 ST4 Mod Rod
Built by BCM in 2004 and still running like a clock. 120 HP at the rear wheel. 55 mpg. Thanks Bruce (and Jay)!
Darn! My DID ZVM2 chain in a 525 pitch is on the way! I just e-mailed Supersprox to check for availability. If I have to do a 520 conversion I will as the newer chains that are available today are much stronger than the old stock one but I'd like to just stay with the OEM 525 pitch for less overall wear. I'll keep you posted. By the way, thanks for the measurments!
The pitch is the same on a 520 and 525 (and even the 530), as is the roller diameter. It's the width of the sprockets and of the chain that's different. Look here.
I agree that today's 520 is an amazing chain. In fact, looking at that link got me thinking that next time I need a chain and sprockets I'm getting a top quality DID 520.
__________________
2001 ST4 Mod Rod
Built by BCM in 2004 and still running like a clock. 120 HP at the rear wheel. 55 mpg. Thanks Bruce (and Jay)!
I'm blushing here... however much of that knowledge is just information gathered over the years from sites like Speedzilla and the Yahoo Group. Lots and lots of knowledgeable people at both sites.
I'll need some information from you in a while because I bought an aluminum swingarm a while back and will be installing it this winter. You're going to do this also?
If you find needed parts and have extras. Let me know. If you find a shortcut. Let me know. I only have the swingarm - not all the other little parts needed.
Tell me how you end up doing it all and what problems you had to overcome. Any tips or tricks you learn would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
__________________
2001 ST4 Mod Rod
Built by BCM in 2004 and still running like a clock. 120 HP at the rear wheel. 55 mpg. Thanks Bruce (and Jay)!
I picked up my swingarm from eBay but the aluminum finish was looking a bit road worn and it had some minor scratches and a minuscule gouge in the back by the axle plates (cleaned up with a dremel). I'm having it bead blasted to restore a smoother fresher finish then possibly some clear coat.
I'll tell you the little pieces (pivot pin pinch clamps, bolts, axle adjusters and end plates) add up quickly! The pivot pin and black cover caps are the same, the shock bolt is the same but you'll need a new "T" nut for the shock bolt on the aluminum arm, the axle and axle plates are different as are the inside adjuster blocks and end caps, I believe that the chain slides are different. You can use your current brake caliper plate but you'll need a new holding pin and bolt if it's not presently on your swingarm.
I'm sure there's something I'm forgeting but those are some basics for what is needed and what is transferable. I'll keep you posted.
I called today on the Stealth sprocket and told the guy I needed the one with a 76mm ID. He told me that this is the more common of the two sizes for Marchesini wheels (thank you!). You were correct as they are only available in a 520 size/pitch. Three sprockets are listed as available in the tooth size I need but in Europe somewhere (none in the US) so at least I won't have to wait for Supersprox to make one. So I called the guy who was supplying my chain to order the 520 DID chain and wouldn't you know it, the 525 is already onroute to my home and I'll now have to pay to ship it back!
My Ducati is a constant work in progress...it's now in the shop for installation of a set of Helibars, a DP lightweight flywheel and a STM 48 tooth lightweight alloy clutch. I can wait to see how it revs now!
Aftermarket Wheels
What type did you go with, the magnesium (cast or forged) or forged aluminum? I tried ordering a set of Marchesini gold forged aluminum for my ST2 but no one has them in stock right now so I have to wait between 8-12 weeks until Italy produces some and sends out a set to the US. 
Did you go with a 5.5 rear or wider, and if wider, any fitting issues? One last question, I know pictures don't always do the real thing justice but how shiny or bright is the gold on those wheels? A lot of pics I've seen make the gold almost look somewhat flat in color but I like a nice "bling" gold. 
I've been informed that Marchesini no longer imports anodized wheels into the US. 
Motowheels offers anodizing but it cost an additional $160.00 more. Sadly, Motowheels didn't have the gold aluminum ST wheels in stock either. 
I'll wait to get my bling in the meanwhile. Again, congrats on a very nice looking bike. You must be proud! 
Linear Mode
