Hotbodies fitment question

[KRG]

Soooo...

I got a set of hotbodies race bodywork and am having fitment issues. Probably comes as no surprise to some the track riders here but my question is this:

Has anyone purchased a CURRENT (ie 2005/2006 ) set of Hotbodies bodywork for their 2004 749/999 and got the upper to fit over the headlight bucket? The reason I ask is that on their site they clearly show 2004 style bodywork and you can see the headlight bucket underneath but...

...The set that I purchased does NOT have the extra slotted vents above the air runners and I'll be monkey's uncle if I can get the upper to fit over my headlight bucket. They insist that there is only one version available for 03 - 05, so I thought I would ask the crew here if they have had a similar fitment problem or issue?

Thanks!

[ducnut748]

Instalation instructions for Hotbodies

1, Find nearest trash can
2, Open lid
3, Insert hotbodies into top of trash can
4, Close lid on trash can
5, Reorder from Sharkskinz

Depending on model you might want to choose trash can size accordingly

[departmentofsuspension]

Originally Posted by KRG

Soooo...

I got a set of hotbodies race bodywork and am having fitment issues. Probably comes as no surprise to some the track riders here but my question is this:

Has anyone purchased a CURRENT (ie 2005/2006 ) set of Hotbodies bodywork for their 2004 749/999 and got the upper to fit over the headlight bucket? The reason I ask is that on their site they clearly show 2004 style bodywork and you can see the headlight bucket underneath but...

...The set that I purchased does NOT have the extra slotted vents above the air runners and I'll be monkey's uncle if I can get the upper to fit over my headlight bucket. They insist that there is only one version available for 03 - 05, so I thought I would ask the crew here if they have had a similar fitment problem or issue?

Thanks!

You get what you pay for I am afraid. This includes the quality of the product as well as the quality of the tech help from the vendor.

The 05-06 mirror mounts are 10mm wider than the 03-04 mirror mounts. If the Hotbodies are molded for the 03-04 stuff they will not fit over the 05-06 mirror mounts. You can either get some 03-04 mirror mounts or a fairing stay made of aluminum from DP, Vortex, Etc which can be tweaked a bit depending on what year bodywork you are trying to fit it up to.

Sharkskinz also does not make an upper that fits over the 05-06 mirror mounts, but they know that it doesn't fit and tells their customers that before ordering so you can solve the problem before you have it. Sharkskinz did not change the upper because 99% of the people out there don't use the headlight bucket and mirror mounts when putting track plastic on.

[KRG]

I WISH the hotbodies stuff was moulded for the 03/04, then my issue wouldn't be an issue.

I get the distinct impression that Hotbodies updated their mold to reflect the 05/06 width on the mirror mounts which makes it fooked for mounting on my 04.

Am I the only person with a Street/Track bike that wants to be able to throw plastic on for the track but do stock plastic for the street? Seems like a load of work to remove the headlight bucket and swap it for a fairing stay everytime.

Bizarre!

[departmentofsuspension]

I WISH the hotbodies stuff was moulded for the 03/04, then my issue wouldn't be an issue.

Thye had bodywork available in 2004. So they have 03-04 bodywork.

I get the distinct impression that Hotbodies updated their mold to reflect the 05/06 width on the mirror mounts which makes it fooked for mounting on my 04.

It's better than being the other way arround. Put some spacers between your mirror mounts and the bodywork to mimic the width of the 05-06 mirror mounts. It's the people that are trying to go the other way (putting 03-04 stuff on 05-06 mirror mounts) that are screwed. They won't be able to spread the bodywork out enough to clear the wider mounts so the bodywork will noot go all the way on and the windshield will not reach to the sides near the rear mounting holes.

Am I the only person with a Street/Track bike that wants to be able to throw plastic on for the track but do stock plastic for the street? Seems like a load of work to remove the headlight bucket and swap it for a fairing stay everytime.

No, but you are one in a hunderd. If you get the DP fairing stay with the DP harness the switch between the headlight bucket and the fairing stay takes no longer than 5 minutes.

[KRG]

Originally Posted by departmentofsuspension

Thye had bodywork available in 2004. So they have 03-04 bodywork.



It's better than being the other way arround. Put some spacers between your mirror mounts and the bodywork to mimic the width of the 05-06 mirror mounts. It's the people that are trying to go the other way (putting 03-04 stuff on 05-06 mirror mounts) that are screwed. They won't be able to spread the bodywork out enough to clear the wider mounts so the bodywork will noot go all the way on and the windshield will not reach to the sides near the rear mounting holes.



No, but you are one in a hunderd. If you get the DP fairing stay with the DP harness the switch between the headlight bucket and the fairing stay takes no longer than 5 minutes.

Very good points that I hadn't considered and if its that quick to swap out the headlight bucket then its a non-issue as far as I'm concerned and I'll forge ahead.

Thanks very much and I got your PM.

Cheers

Kelly

[Herbivator]

That's what I have - 05/06 sharkskinz with DP stay on 04 749S. Pretty simple to install. 5 minutes installation would be very nice, maybe if you work like an F1 pit crew. Putting the bucket back on is trickier. If you want to be able to easily swap back and forth you'll end up re-routing the harness outside the frame. Its a huge pain to keep it original. Having done this all summer the two long bolts (out of 4) that hold the bucket to the frame have snapped off. You'll also need to swap the temp sensor back and forth. Once on, its great and you'll be glad to be rid off the OEM part, but if you do it more than a few times a year you might come the same conclusion as me and that you need a dedicated track bike.

[departmentofsuspension]

Originally Posted by Herbivator

If you want to be able to easily swap back and forth you'll end up re-routing the harness outside the frame.

I was assuming that this would be done. I have done it to all of the ones I have worked on. The first time sucks to get that stupid barrel connector out, if it's run on the outside it's easy.

[seven158]

krg-

i have an 04 749 and i got hotbodies this past summer for the track. if i read your post correctly, i may have had the same problem you did, the upper fairing didnt want to go all the way rearward and into place. i had to take off the pieces in this photo (bottom of headlight bucket and radiator front cover.) You may need to trim the new bodywork too. I needed to use a dremel to carve out the corners on the bottom of the "upper fairing" where it makes that big tongue looking tab that fits under the head light bucket. sorry if its not clear, PM me if you need any more help.


FWIW, after the initial struggle / trimming to get the bodywork fitted correctly, i have no complaints about the hotbodies. for me, they didnt need to fit perfectly since its just for the track...


EDIT: fixed links

[departmentofsuspension]

Originally Posted by seven158

krg-

i have an 04 749 and i got hotbodies this past summer for the track. if i read your post correctly, i may have had the same problem you did, the upper fairing didnt want to go all the way rearward and into place. i had to take off the pieces in this photo (bottom of headlight bucket and radiator front cover.) You may need to trim the new bodywork too. I needed to use a dremel to carve out the corners on the bottom of the "upper fairing" where it makes that big tongue looking tab that fits under the head light bucket. sorry if its not clear, PM me if you need any more help.


FWIW, after the initial struggle / trimming to get the bodywork fitted correctly, i have no complaints about the hotbodies. for me, they didnt need to fit perfectly since its just for the track...

I'm just guessing, but it looks like you may have a bad link there

[KRG]

Thanks for the replies everyone I really appreciate the help and feedback. Steve, I PM'd you for some further info.

My 749 will become my dedicated track/race bike and the original plan was for that to happen this year as I had ordered a 999S Parts Unlimited Team Replica as my street bike.

I decided to wait for a year though (this year) and get a 1098 in 2008 giving Ducati a year to work out the inevitable bugs plus the new middleweight will be out as well as the "R" model.

So for this year, my 749 will be doing some double duty. 70% track and 30% street (give or take). I'll get a fairing stay in any event and we had already made plans to re-route the harness to facilate easy swaps.

Thanks again everyone, the spirit of the forums comes through again!

Cheers!

[KRG]

Sorry for bringing up an old post but I thought I would post up and again say thanks to everyone that helped me with my questions around fitting my bodywork.

Finally got it all done and this is how she looked for the Motorcycle show this weekend. Also a huge thanks to my daughter as well for helping me with the graphics. Couldn't have done it without you!!

[996pilot]

NICE!