Monster 900Sie 50000mile refresh.

Mr Gazza · 13-01-2024, 08:07 PM

How do you like the new Ducati font?

Paint stripping is proving extremely tedious and I'm not enjoying it!
It seems to be a bit quicker if I warm the tank up with a hot air gun first, then lard the stripper on and leave it about 15-20 minutes. It still always needs two goes to get the persistent patches. Only half way on the spare tank so far!

While the stripper is working I've managed to hoik the front wheel out and drop the fork legs.
The hybrid forks are 3.5mm shorter that the Sie ones, from top to axle centre.
So that's well within a reasonable similarity to get the new ones in the same place as the originals.
As it happens I had dropped the legs through earlier this year to get a bit more trail. It just felt so wobbly and the turn in was nervous. Probably more to do with tyre wear than anything, as that's the only thing that could have changed. I'm 7600 miles in on the tyres so no surprises, even if the tread and profile look good. Metzler Roadtec 01, they were brilliant when new. Debatable whether I re-fit them after re-lacquering the wheels?

First impressions with the forks; the speedo drive fits and seems to put the wheel in the right place with everything hard to the left as it should be. However, I would appear to be in need of a spacer on the right side of the axle. If I push the shoulder up to the wheel bearing to make everything tight, The right had end of the spindle disappears into the fork by about 8mm and then the sleeve nut bottoms out before it has reached the left leg face. An 8mm (approx) spacer on the right side would put it all right, by the looks.
Studying images of 1098 and other axles they seem to come with a large (30mm?) and small spacer, so it would seem to follow that's what I need.
I would of course be extremely grateful if anyone has an unwanted spare I could buy?

Unfortunately while the speedo gearbox fits, the original cable route is blocked by the caliper and it needs to run round below. This will need a longer speedo cable by about 4" at least!
Stumped by that at the moment, but wondering if maybe an SS rev-counter cable would be longer?
I can find various lengths of English speedo and tacho cables, but no idea if the thread on the ends will fit the speedo and gearbox? Probably not!
Club meet in the morning, so further investigations in the afternoon.

Mr Gazza · 13-01-2024, 08:44 PM

It looks like I need a speedo cable 900mm long, subject to more careful measuring.
I've found that "Motorcycle Products" list their cables by length and I've found one at 900mm for an Yamaha XS 650.
Does anyone know if Japanese and European speedo cables are interchangeable?

I'm not confident that the English Smiths ones would be?

Dukedesmo · 15-01-2024, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Gazza

H
However, I would appear to be in need of a spacer on the right side of the axle. If I push the shoulder up to the wheel bearing to make everything tight, The right had end of the spindle disappears into the fork by about 8mm and then the sleeve nut bottoms out before it has reached the left leg face. An 8mm (approx) spacer on the right side would put it all right, by the looks.
Studying images of 1098 and other axles they seem to come with a large (30mm?) and small spacer, so it would seem to follow that's what I need.
I would of course be extremely grateful if anyone has an unwanted spare I could buy?

When I did the 1198 forks to 916 conversion, I ended up with various spacers surplus to my requirements.

Not certain which came from what model etc. but, assuming it's 25mm axle? I have 2 types of spacer; one type is 7.5mm thick and the other is 21mm thick, I think the 7.5 is the one you need (I believe that's what's in my axle but can't measure properly whilst it's fitted), the 21mm I have no idea of origin.

I've actually got 2 of the 7.5mm, you're more than welcome to one if it is of use to you.

Mr Gazza · 15-01-2024, 09:19 AM

That's spot on Tim. I did some measuring yesterday and came up with 7 to 8mm for the spacer @25mm ID, so 7.5 would be right.
I'm also missing a washer under the sleeve nut which will improve things in the right direction again.

Thank you so much for your offer, the thing is, I ordered a spacer and washer from Moto Rapido first thing this morning, so the deed is done now!
Still good to know that I'm right with the 7.5mm though. Thanks again.

The next problem is the speedo cable. As mentioned I've found that an XS650 cable should be the length I need @900mm, but I don't know if Japanese threads will fit my Italian (CEV?) instruments. Venhill will be my next call.

An SS tacho cable is available but not stocked and Craig couldn't tell me the length, so I didn't take the gamble as it would be non-refundable.

Dukedesmo · 15-01-2024, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Gazza

That's spot on Tim. I did some measuring yesterday and came up with 7 to 8mm for the spacer @25mm ID, so 7.5 would be right.
I'm also missing a washer under the sleeve nut which will improve things in the right direction again.

Thank you so much for your offer, the thing is, I ordered a spacer and washer from Moto Rapido first thing this morning, so the deed is done now!
Still good to know that I'm right with the 7.5mm though. Thanks again.

The next problem is the speedo cable. As mentioned I've found that an XS650 cable should be the length I need @900mm, but I don't know if Japanese threads will fit my Italian (CEV?) instruments. Venhill will be my next call.

An SS tacho cable is available but not stocked and Craig couldn't tell me the length, so I didn't take the gamble as it would be non-refundable.

Too late then! Sorry about that.

As for the speedo cable, I don't know if it would work but old Moto Guzzis have a long cable as it runs from the speedo to the gearbox - anything between 800 and 1100mm depending on model (and there's one listed as 898mm), check out; https://www.gutsibits.co.uk/pr/TheSh...&PriceFilter=2 for length & info.

Also I don't kow if the fittings are the same but they are Italian (Veglia clocks) so maybe?

Mr Gazza · 15-01-2024, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the Gutsi link Tim. I spotted one @915 which might give me a bit more wiggle room, so I'll ask them if they think CEV and Veglia are compatible.
Cheapest speedo cables I' seen so far too. SS tacho cable is about £32!

Hang on to those spacers, Nasher will probably be doing some more hybrid forks in the future, so they might come in handy yet.
As it happens I needed the washer too so the spacer made the order up above their minimum order for post.

13-01-2024, 08:07 PM	#1
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,853	How do you like the new Ducati font? Paint stripping is proving extremely tedious and I'm not enjoying it! It seems to be a bit quicker if I warm the tank up with a hot air gun first, then lard the stripper on and leave it about 15-20 minutes. It still always needs two goes to get the persistent patches. Only half way on the spare tank so far! While the stripper is working I've managed to hoik the front wheel out and drop the fork legs. The hybrid forks are 3.5mm shorter that the Sie ones, from top to axle centre. So that's well within a reasonable similarity to get the new ones in the same place as the originals. As it happens I had dropped the legs through earlier this year to get a bit more trail. It just felt so wobbly and the turn in was nervous. Probably more to do with tyre wear than anything, as that's the only thing that could have changed. I'm 7600 miles in on the tyres so no surprises, even if the tread and profile look good. Metzler Roadtec 01, they were brilliant when new. Debatable whether I re-fit them after re-lacquering the wheels? First impressions with the forks; the speedo drive fits and seems to put the wheel in the right place with everything hard to the left as it should be. However, I would appear to be in need of a spacer on the right side of the axle. If I push the shoulder up to the wheel bearing to make everything tight, The right had end of the spindle disappears into the fork by about 8mm and then the sleeve nut bottoms out before it has reached the left leg face. An 8mm (approx) spacer on the right side would put it all right, by the looks. Studying images of 1098 and other axles they seem to come with a large (30mm?) and small spacer, so it would seem to follow that's what I need. I would of course be extremely grateful if anyone has an unwanted spare I could buy? Unfortunately while the speedo gearbox fits, the original cable route is blocked by the caliper and it needs to run round below. This will need a longer speedo cable by about 4" at least! Stumped by that at the moment, but wondering if maybe an SS rev-counter cable would be longer? I can find various lengths of English speedo and tacho cables, but no idea if the thread on the ends will fit the speedo and gearbox? Probably not! Club meet in the morning, so further investigations in the afternoon. __________________ Last edited by Mr Gazza; 13-01-2024 at 08:12 PM..

13-01-2024, 08:44 PM	#2
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,853	It looks like I need a speedo cable 900mm long, subject to more careful measuring. I've found that "Motorcycle Products" list their cables by length and I've found one at 900mm for an Yamaha XS 650. Does anyone know if Japanese and European speedo cables are interchangeable? I'm not confident that the English Smiths ones would be? __________________

15-01-2024, 09:19 AM	#4
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,853	That's spot on Tim. I did some measuring yesterday and came up with 7 to 8mm for the spacer @25mm ID, so 7.5 would be right. I'm also missing a washer under the sleeve nut which will improve things in the right direction again. Thank you so much for your offer, the thing is, I ordered a spacer and washer from Moto Rapido first thing this morning, so the deed is done now! Still good to know that I'm right with the 7.5mm though. Thanks again. The next problem is the speedo cable. As mentioned I've found that an XS650 cable should be the length I need @900mm, but I don't know if Japanese threads will fit my Italian (CEV?) instruments. Venhill will be my next call. An SS tacho cable is available but not stocked and Craig couldn't tell me the length, so I didn't take the gamble as it would be non-refundable. __________________

15-01-2024, 12:12 PM	#6
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,853	Thanks for the Gutsi link Tim. I spotted one @915 which might give me a bit more wiggle room, so I'll ask them if they think CEV and Veglia are compatible. Cheapest speedo cables I' seen so far too. SS tacho cable is about £32! Hang on to those spacers, Nasher will probably be doing some more hybrid forks in the future, so they might come in handy yet. As it happens I needed the washer too so the spacer made the order up above their minimum order for post. __________________