Engine project

[BrianK]

Update: I put the 145 mains in my FCRs, and they're not too lean. Might still be too rich but not enough miles to tell.

Needles were on position 4 (of 7) when I got them "pre-jetted" from Chris Kelley (that's not a knock on Chris, whom I greatly respect). I now have horizontal cylinder on position 1 and vertical on position 2 - substantially leaner - and they're not too lean, perhaps still could be leaner but... see above.

[FunkZ]

That's a really nice looking CR, I especially like the wheels! Good luck getting everything sorted out, sounds like you've just about wrapped it up.

[Desmomaniac]

Because I just recently got mine all mechanically buffed up... she's a '96 CR.

Mark Sutton's crew at Ducshop did a wonderful workover on the engine with 944 Pistals, ST2 cams, & balanced the crank. Plus they filled the front Showa's with Ohlins' guts. Over the years I've replaced bits and pieces as needed or as required due to my lack of skills, but the absolute best bang for my money was the wheels. She's just so light and nimble now sportin' brand spankin new pilot shoes.

I know some folks don't dig the blue wheels, but I like the contrast and wanted to go a different route over the traditional make overs. Now that she's mechanically where I want, I get to repair my corbin and play with the paint.

Great thread w/ some nice rides.

[Jeff H.]

Very nice!!!

My next steps are going to be the Ohlins internals for the forks and the front rotors that you have, Braketech Axis I think? I would be very interested in your input on both of those upgrades. Dan Kyle just rebuilt my rear Ohlins, so I'd probably send the forks to him as well as he was also great to do business with.

Regards,

Jeff

[Desmomaniac]

I've sent Dan Kyle too much money over the years... shocks for two ducs and a beemer. Haven't regretted it a bit because the improved ride was that much of a difference.

The way it started with me on the 900 was to upgrade the non adjustable Marzocchi's to the Showa's. That told me how rough the newer (off a '99) showa shock was. So I send money to Dan for an Ohlins shock. That told me how rough the Showa front was. So when the cases were separated I had them rebuild the Showa's too. The Ohlins cartridge, springs, and oil were three bills.... the Racetech valves were $150 just for parts. I went the Ohlins route and couldn't be happier, next best thing to some R&T's IMO. She's so smooth I barely even notice manholes on the street.

The Axis rotors are light and have a great feel. They stop real quick, real controlled. I used to run the sintered pads on the stock stainless rotors, the Axis are worlds better in comparison. If you need to replace rotors, those are the ones I'd go with, especially if you've dropped the money on light weight wheels. Of course Ca-Cycleworks sells 'em.

The 900ss is my little hot rod/tinkerer. She taught me and my wallet a valuable lesson though for the rest of the bikes that will be in the stable. The very first mod is suspension. The second mod is now exhaust, because I love the sound and most brakes out of the box are pretty damn good (rubber lines enjoyed a good death). The third mod will be lightweight wheels if I want performance upgrades. The rest is just replacement parts or bling.

[Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by Desmomaniac

Because I just recently got mine all mechanically buffed up... she's a '96 CR.

Desmomaniac,

I see that your oil cooler hoses are routed straight and then up. Did you relocate your oil cooler? I'd like to see what you did. Love the clutch cover. That's the one I was looking for, but wound up with a Flying-D cover.

[dansamp]

Originally Posted by Desmomaniac

I've sent Dan Kyle too much money over the years... shocks for two ducs and a beemer. Haven't regretted it a bit because the improved ride was that much of a difference.

The way it started with me on the 900 was to upgrade the non adjustable Marzocchi's to the Showa's. That told me how rough the newer (off a '99) showa shock was. So I send money to Dan for an Ohlins shock. That told me how rough the Showa front was. So when the cases were separated I had them rebuild the Showa's too. The Ohlins cartridge, springs, and oil were three bills.... the Racetech valves were $150 just for parts. I went the Ohlins route and couldn't be happier, next best thing to some R&T's IMO. She's so smooth I barely even notice manholes on the street.

The Axis rotors are light and have a great feel. They stop real quick, real controlled. I used to run the sintered pads on the stock stainless rotors, the Axis are worlds better in comparison. If you need to replace rotors, those are the ones I'd go with, especially if you've dropped the money on light weight wheels. Of course Ca-Cycleworks sells 'em.

The 900ss is my little hot rod/tinkerer. She taught me and my wallet a valuable lesson though for the rest of the bikes that will be in the stable. The very first mod is suspension. The second mod is now exhaust, because I love the sound and most brakes out of the box are pretty damn good (rubber lines enjoyed a good death). The third mod will be lightweight wheels if I want performance upgrades. The rest is just replacement parts or bling.

where did you get that exhaust ??
I have been looking for a spaghetti header for my 95 900 SS/SP for quite some time

I found one from made by sil-motor through spareshack.com but I have e mailed them twice and have not heard a response
I am also waiting for a call back from motowheels
(sorry for the threadjack)

Dan.............

[Desmomaniac]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog

Desmomaniac,

I see that your oil cooler hoses are routed straight and then up. Did you relocate your oil cooler? I'd like to see what you did. Love the clutch cover. That's the one I was looking for, but wound up with a Flying-D cover.

The oil cooler was a kit sold by Miller Specialties in Connecticut... they fabbed up some aluminum brackets, aftermarket oil cooler, and some earls lines. The kit relocates the oil cooler under the head light behind the vents. My stock one developed a pin hole leak, the heat exchanger was rated 150% better than the stock one, & it was cheaper and quicker than OEM replacement ('98 Cagiva eternal parts backlog.)

Ducati Kamna used to be a great place to source parts before the dollar took a crap... I kick myself for not picking up a set of MR Evo rear sets... now they're 6 bills instead of 3.5.

[Desmomaniac]

Staintune... Chris Kelley at Ca-Cycleworks.

Hate to be a bummer but I don't think they make it anymore. I'm pretty sure they stopped making carbon cans in general, but I think they stopped selling the spaghetti headers too. When I bought mine the Termignoni spaghetti's were already unobtanium. You could call Chris and see if he can source one for you, you might get lucky and see if he'll do a group buy. Good luck.

Originally Posted by dansamp

where did you get that exhaust ??
I have been looking for a spaghetti header for my 95 900 SS/SP for quite some time

I found one from made by sil-motor through spareshack.com but I have e mailed them twice and have not heard a response
I am also waiting for a call back from motowheels
(sorry for the threadjack)

Dan.............

[dansamp]

Thanks,
I did contact Chris
he actually installed my MBP setup
a few years ago, since then I managed to find a N.I.B. set of hi-mount Termi's
but I am hopeful the header is what is turning into unobtanium

a friend of mine works for a company that builds midget motors and they make their own exhaust
I have asked him to talk to his welder and see if he can fab something for me

Dan............

[944SS]

Originally Posted by dansamp

where did you get that exhaust ??
I have been looking for a spaghetti header for my 95 900 SS/SP for quite some time

Motowheels did a group buy (kind of) on the Sil-motors header a while back that I got in on. You might see what they have coming in.

I did find you could order one yourself from Daniel Moto International in Germany. :aniele Moto International - Motorrad-Shop/Bike-Shop :: Ducati, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Yamaha, Aprilia, Sil Motor, Marving, KTM, Husquarna, BMW, Honda, Cagiva, Gilera, Moto Morini, KYMCO, Suzuki, Triumph, VOR, Voxan, Aermacchi, Husaberg, Benelli, B The Sil-Motors part number for carbie SSs is 5540. It's not cheap doing it that way, IIRC 700 Euros delivered but he does have them in stock.

Tim
'98 900 SS FE (#028)
'96 900 SS/SP (rolling parts bin)
'78 900SS
'74 750 Sport
’86 NS400R

[Jeff H.]

By the way, it's really nice to see the activity on this thread and I'm enjoying the discussion! I'm heading out on a road trip tomorrow. My buddy and I are going to ride around Washington state for a few days. Great roads for giving the Duc and her new engine a proper wringing! So far, she runs like a champ.

Best regards,

Jeff

[dansamp]

[quote=944SS;495824]Motowheels did a group buy (kind of) on the Sil-motors header a while back that I got in on. You might see what they have coming in.

I did find you could order one yourself from Daniel Moto International in Germany. :aniele Moto International - Motorrad-Shop/Bike-Shop :: Ducati, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Yamaha, Aprilia, Sil Motor, Marving, KTM, Husquarna, BMW, Honda, Cagiva, Gilera, Moto Morini, KYMCO, Suzuki, Triumph, VOR, Voxan, Aermacchi, Husaberg, Benelli, B The Sil-Motors part number for carbie SSs is 5540. It's not cheap doing it that way, IIRC 700 Euros delivered but he does have them in stock

'98 900 SS FE (#028)
'96 900 SS/SP (rolling parts bin)

thanks for the link,
I have contacted motowheels like I said previously but have not heard back from them
also I already have e mailed spareshack but also have not heard from them
the linked site takes you to the spareshack catalog
it seems they are related somehow
anyway I have received a response from eurocorsa in canada they e mailed me back and said they could get one before the factory shuts down for the summer

Dan..........

P.S. How do you link the Sil-moto header ??

[droopy]

Hey Desmomaniac , I'm planning on having the Duschop do basically the same things to my engine that you had done . It looks as if you kept the long manifolds and I'm assuming you have the rack mounted FCR's . Care to divulge any power output numbers ? Also , where did you source the ST2 cams and how much were they ?

Thanks
Ron

[900SS/FE]

Originally Posted by Desmomaniac

I know some folks don't dig the blue wheels, but I like the contrast and wanted to go a different route over the traditional make overs.

Great thread w/ some nice rides.

Desmomaniac,

Where did you source the Marchesini wheels to fit your bike? Are they custom fit for the SS, or did you have to do axle swaps and use a different speedo gear? Did you go magnesium?

I'm considering these or the Carrozeria's. Thanks for any info you'd be able to provide!

[Desmomaniac]

Originally Posted by droopy

Hey Desmomaniac , I'm planning on having the Duschop do basically the same things to my engine that you had done . It looks as if you kept the long manifolds and I'm assuming you have the rack mounted FCR's . Care to divulge any power output numbers ? Also , where did you source the ST2 cams and how much were they ?

Thanks
Ron

Went from low 70's to 86hp at about 7500rpm. Don't have torque figures but it pulls very hard under throttle by the butt dyno and the increased frequency of the front suspension unloading.

Left the long manifolds as is due to my reluctance to further mod the airbox/battery tray at this time, finite budget, and she is a street bike. Maybe if I get the hankering to build something I'll look to running pods on individuals and relocating the battery near the head. As to the cams, Mark had them in the shop for $350 or so, don't have access to reciepts as they're packed away.

Very smooth and very responsive to throttle inputs, she climbs from 2500 rpm to 10000 rpm effortlessly.

[Desmomaniac]

Originally Posted by 900SS/FE

Desmomaniac,

Where did you source the Marchesini wheels to fit your bike? Are they custom fit for the SS, or did you have to do axle swaps and use a different speedo gear? Did you go magnesium?

I'm considering these or the Carrozeria's. Thanks for any info you'd be able to provide!

Had Ducshop source them while they were rebuilding things, but they finished before the wheels showed up. It can take a bit of time for custom colors ~12+ weeks or so. Pretty sure that no matter what march's come through About TAW Vehicle Concepts

Originally ordered them in blue anodize, but Marchesini stopped offering that surface treatment in that color, so they're painted cobalt blue. The anodize does fade even though it still protects the surfuce. I liked the anodize rims on my beemer, but I'm pleased with the painted wheels.

Since I updated the front end from a 916 I just ordered a set of wheels for a '99+ 900ssie. Fit up perfect, I had no trouble swapping out. Marchesini provides the spacers. I went with the forged aluminum because they're about as light as the cast magnesiums. They sell a race forged aluminum that's even lighter but I just have to many potholes to make the effort for a street bike. The extra $ didn't reconcile the lighter weight for forged magnesiums or carbon in my mind or wallet.

I looked at many forged aluminum offerings; March, Carrozzeria, PVM, Performance Machine etc and I felt that the price point justified the product and didn't exceed my budget for a street bike. Next issue was availability. Basically you can spend less for heavier wheels or you can spend more for lighter ones. For me it came to about $300 per lb for the March's and $345 per lb for the Carrozzeria's, and felt the $400 price difference was worth it. HTH