Ducati Project 2010 #4

Well after finally watching the last stage of the Tour De France I have turned off the boob tube!....for a while....

I had to get on with the mounting of the seat pan.

So first I found some connecting nuts that had the right fit. Actually got really lucky. I bought them without measuring--kinda by feel, and they fit perfect....well?....after getting rid of a little paint on the mount pegs, I was able to walk the rice paper lets say.

Then we made a couple simple brackets that fit nice and stealthy with the rear fender mounts. "Easy Peeesy Japaniesey".....as Brooks would say. He was "here" ya know....

I had to make room for the fender. I need it to be 'where it is' I cant lower the fender because of future tire clearance issues, I need as much room as possible for 17 in rims. Sooo.. a hole had to be installed with care right through the new brackets I just made...hmmph--bummer. The real funny thing is I may shit-can the entire rear fender anyway!! I may go for a different look I have seen, time will tell on that one, but I have planned for, and am ready!- to take advantage of any inspiration's that may come my way!

O-well, I haven't got there yet, but there will be a connecting bracket welded from (one side to the other) on the rear seat mounting brkt's-- going over the fender and connecting them for strength.

All should be hidden by the rear hump if I can ever find something to work???. I may have to make it myself from sheet metal(which will be a huge bitch working with compound curves) I would have to do it in sections shaping each one- kinda like slices of pie, and that's a ton of work. I couldn't find anything I could use a home depot not even plastic' pipe corners.

I am thinking though going to K-mart today to look at cheep stainless steel mixing bowls that I might be able to chop-up to my desired specifications. It is the best solution I can come up with right now.

I may use the piece of rear fender that I will bob/chop-away from the rear-of-the-fender later, to make a tunnel to hide the fender hole in the seat pan, which will be under the seat foam anyway-and know body will know it is there, or care that it doesn't have much "if any" use- other than it will clean up my work before moving on--but i will know it is there...and that's all we need to know....right?. --fin--

Ducati Project 2010 #3

Another freeking HOT day bout 114 or so. But Happiness is sweating in the garage me thinks.

A new seat pan is in order! and with a little stealthy cutting a new one was emerging. I wanted it long but still able to see the frame below it.

Room for the seat mounts, and room for a rear fender, and-and! travel for our new 17 inch rims, and sturdiness of the structure, I had to raise it up a bit, but when I am done it will still look very low-profile.

There our basic shape......but!

I had to find some room for the down tube and hiding the seat mounts, so with this idea in mind I will also have to re-figure the rear tank mount. I will have to weld a tab on the bottom of the tank, and put a bolt mount on the frame....under the seat pan. The original hook and spring rear tank mount (partially on the tank) now sits above the pan and would be a nasty little nut scratcher! It will have to be removed...
And things still may change? I may use a different "longer" tank, future e-bay auctions may dictate this.

Funny side note. The tank is in generally in great shape/no rust just a couple dents, just not the most pleasing shape I want. When I was cleaning it I found a "full lable -4" x 10"-of a "Tastewell" can of corn, looking it came from the 1970's inside the fucking tank. How it got there is a wonder???? but I do wonder if it was a problem with gas flo in the past?

That's better, and the shape is pleasing.

And that is how we sit right now. Still mounts to be installed, and a rear but hump to be figured. I think I will go to home depot and find a heating duct corner bend I can cut for the rear hump...we will see if this idea PANS-OUT so to speak?

Ducati project 2010 #2

A cleaning of the motor was in order with or without the need for immediate repair. At the time I am unable to take the motor in for professional repair, our financial situation is in disappointing times.

In order to keep "the peace" with the wife, I will have to wait for the future, or do it myself...which will be the case at this time it seems...further tear down and study is needed, update to come.

Ducati Project 2010 Post #1

I have decided to post my project here as well as weislyweird.

I found that the main foot rests are tweeked. The bar is bent as well as the peg itself. After removing what is left of the rubber foot rests i went to work with a couple whacks with a sledge pounding iron to get the tube straight.

After that I had to use some gentle persuasion with some heat and a bar on the foot peg to right it.

There nice! and very close to perfect....

And in 110+ degree heat, I give myself a thumbs up. I don't freekin care who you are, (dry or wet), 110+ is fucking HOT! and it has been this way for a week.

And thyen to the ice box for some refreshment before going further.