I was looking through some older threads and I saw some really, really low weight numbers for 749/999 series bikes (like 370-380, one thread claimed 365!). I'm sitting at 414 with half a tank of fuel. Already have a full exhaust, fans are gone, lightweight fairing stay, all the street lighting/brackets are gone.. Planning on doing the speedcell battery, just deciding if the small one will cut it or if I should get the bigger one for peace of mind..
Trying to keep the bike legal for supersport, so I can't do wheels or an airbox.
Is there something else I'm missing that drops a few lbs? What do other supersport prep'd bikes weigh?
I've done probably the same as you have (+ wheels) and I am at about 185kg with fuel. Can't be precise though since I haven't put the bike on a scale after the wheels change.
So, getting even lighter and considering what you have already done, I'd suggest you check the weight of the fairings (not a joke, seriously), the tail piece, the rear subframe (make it aluminium if it isn't yet), remove the front part of the wiring loom since you won't be needing it. And if your budget and the regulations of your category permits it go for a lighter tank (EtI, beater, or similar).
Forgot to mention the clutch (basket/plates/hub) which will drop you another couple of kgs'.
Lastly may I suggest that you do go for the SpeedCell battery, it will save you 2 or 3 kgs ! And if you keep the alternator on the bike and don't remove it, then you'll be fine even with the smaller one (the 4.6Ah).
Well, bodywork is 10.5 lbs. (sharkskinz).. I did weigh the bike with that removed and it was 403.5.
Subframe and clutch are good ideas, never thought of changing those. Never owned a bike where changing those were even an option Fuel tank is a good idea too, looks like the eti one is 5 lbs. lighter.
You have a long way to go. It costs a lot to get into the 360's I did it with a 749R.
Mag wheels, Titanium, Magnesium, carbon, race subframe, race harness, light brake parts, FuelCel, no key switches, lightened engine parts, Ti exhaust, and many many many small items and minor changes. It only takes time and money - good luck!
__________________ 848RS, M1100S (soon) GP SuperTwins Champion 2007 & 2008
Nothing is more satisfying than passing V4 Honda riders & Trolls!
hmm... not sure if I can get rid of the charging system or not. I thought it had to stay on the bike, but I can't find anywhere in the rules that says that.
Can't go crazy inside the engine though, have to keep the stock crank, rods, valves, and can't change the compression ratio.. Could do side covers though.
I guess I'll have to go piece by piece like ducati23 said.. its hard to imagine taking 50 lbs off of whats left though! Next time I pull it out of the corner I'll take off the bodywork and snap a few pics.
You'll most likely not get one of these to 370's in SS trim. Too many steel and heavy parts that must be changed to get there. Why stay SS legal? Ducati won't pay anything for machines older than 2008? And a 749 non R model will not be competitive at all with 600's. You need a very well built 749R or faster to race with 600's.
__________________ 848RS, M1100S (soon) GP SuperTwins Champion 2007 & 2008
Nothing is more satisfying than passing V4 Honda riders & Trolls!
Maybe I'm messed up in the head, but I kind of like being in a pack of 30 other bikes going for the same 6 inches of real estate in turn 1! I do have an R model at least.
And something I forgot to mention earlier, if budget isn't an issue, go for titanium fasteners/bolts/spacers/fixings all over the bike. It costs a LOT, but saves quite a few too.
As for the subframe, the stock stell biposto I had was more than 3kgs heavier than the aluminium monoposto.
The ArmourBodies race bodywork I just got weighs LESS than the CF street bodywork on my 2003 999R!!!
I can post weights of the individual pieces later!!
IDK how much weight you can chop off in superstock or supersport. Some of the biggest weight reductions are done when moving the bike from street to track. Cutting up the wiring harness, removing the battery box and building your own replacement can also help. Even then, the bike is STILL stupid heavy for what it is. Thats where a carbon kevlar tank, carbon fiber airbox/runners, light weight wheels, full titanium exhaust and of course, all the motor lightening mods you can do, come into play. I too have seen 749R's in the high 360's wet (with FULL tank) but that is pretty impossible for anybody to do with a budget. I think the best us mere mortals can do is 380, which is what I'm aiming for, but I also have zero intentions on racing in a superstock class... As a stock bike, its too heavy. Lighten it up a bit, due to some tuning, man the thing has a whole new life in the superbike class, bloody thing is actually competitive for a 5 year old design!
Greg, do you have a link to the rule sheet as PDF or similar? Iīd like to have a look.
I wouldnīt go as crazy as MultiDoc suggested (ti fasteners). It will just cost you shitloads of money. If I were you, Iīd rather buy a few sets of Dunlop KR106 and KR108 for your race bike and ride the shit out of these. The best tyre I have used last year was the KR106 6136 (compound) in 125/80/17. Havenīt used the KR108 rear tyre because it was not available for my rear wheel size. But it does work fine with Metzeler and Bridgestine Battlax slicks. Havenīt used Pirelli with them.
As for the subframe I say go for it, because thatīs easy and cheap.
Iīd do everything thatīs easy and doesnīt cost a fortune (bang/buck...). Who knows how long you will be racing the bike?
Ohh what I was wondering, do you have a titanium full exhaust? Leo Vinci makes a good one, 57mm full ti. They were quite expensive, but I an sure you can grab a good used one for a good price these days. I spoke to a guy racing with me in German Sound of Thunder and he really liked the exhausts weight and the power it made. Itīs supposed to be a real good design. But the pipes seemed to be quite thin (weight reduction), hence it tended to crack. He had it welded 5 times already. Same with the Moto Corse full ti exhaust of my mate Andreas. He had it welded 4 times because it cracked during practice and races. You should have seen him how pissed off he was after the 4th time, haha!
Itīs the nicest looking exhaust on the aftermarket though. Donīt count in the Corse system (because thatīs even nicer ):
I had an Akrapovic full titanium exhaust for a ZX6R in my hands in 2008, we bought it from a WSS team in Italy. I thought the box was empty when they delivered it
The bike has a stainless termi 57mm full system on it right now. Not sure what that weighs, but definitely more than titanium. I'll keep my eyes on ebay and the classified section for a titanium system.
Is a titanium subframe really worth it compared to aluminum? I see one listed on motowheels.com, but at 4 times the price of aluminum.. if its 4 times lighter then maybe its worth it, but they don't list a weight!
see if ducati omaha has any of theirs left, dont think they were to out of line but preety light. yea-that 57mm can is preety heavy, try finding a used ti one maybe
Is a titanium subframe really worth it compared to aluminum? I see one listed on motowheels.com, but at 4 times the price of aluminum.. if its 4 times lighter then maybe its worth it, but they don't list a weight!
No! Stay away from it. I had a Titanium Ducati Performance subframe and it was not lighter than the standard aluminium subframe. No one I handed it to was overly impressed with the weight of the ti-unit.
Officially it costs 1227 Euros at Ducati, I sold mine for way above 700 Euros. The aluminium subframe can be had for like 150 US$ Iīd guess.
got mine down to 373.4 lbs. dry .
It has light wheels but is fully street legal ,lights and side stand . The Akro exhaust was a 19lb saving titanium inside and out . Wheels and fuel cell and battery were probably the big savings for bolt on stuff but the rest is as has been said before just attention to detail. That is how manufacturers do it they look at everything . As an example the large bolt that holds the seat to the tank . I machined an aluminum washer and drilled a large hole in the top of the bolt down to a few mm from the threads , resulting in a fitting with no less strenght but half the weight .
We weighed my bros 1098S racebike with a full tank of fuel and it came out at 183kg/403 LBS.
Itīs not even lightened that much.
Carbon full body work, Race foot pegs / revers shift, Full system (Termis), Aluminium front fairing holder (half weight to the magnesium, Neopren seat, Carbon Swing are protector (ads a small amount of weight)
Another 5kg/10 lbs would be easy and not to expensive to shave off.. Small battery and some lighter wheels would probably get you there.
//amullo
__________________
1998 916SPS #526 - Fast by Hypertrick
Pitcrew for GLi Infideli Endurance Racing
not saying I have the lightest duck in the world but it is important to note that a 999 with a full tank came in at 468lbs and a 1098 was a lot less to begin with. Ducati lists [dry weight] which means no fluid of any kind and no battery . The Japanese are starting to list curb weight ,a much better plan in my view .
losing weight..
Fuel tank is a good idea too, looks like the eti one is 5 lbs. lighter.
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