TPO Parts / PJs Parts

TPO Parts arrived today as scheduled. The tactical license plate bracket and signal relocation brackets are lighter than I had originally imagined. Turns out the lightweight screws are included in the package so I now have a redundant set that I will make use on another motorcycle. One of those things I wish I had known ahead of time since it would have saved me my 5 bucks. Next step: Tail Chop.

PJs Parts is providing the new Rizoma Blinkers to replace my damaged stock pieces. The new signals will be Rizoma Track "01" Indicator Lights in black. The clean look will replace the bulky stock signals as well as blink faster due to the lack of resistance. I could opt for the Rizoma Resistors to make them blink slower but I'll try it like this first to see what its like.

My turn to Ship parts

Shipped out the tank, headlight fairing, and seat cowl to Speedzone Paint & Body over the weekend, and they depart today. The shipping wasn't as expensive as I had imagined for UPS Ground but the insurance in case they "lose" my tank nearly doubled the cost.

In a non related shipping event, the bar end sliders for the CycleCat Clip-Ons sent to me were the standard large size bar ends and unfortunately I needed the CRG style ends. Not a big deal, a quick email to MotoWheels and the matter was cleared up. This was shipped back at the same time to California as the tank. In the email conversation, Brian will include the CycleCat reservoir mounting brackets as my new brake M/C does not have a bracket built in, nor do I have any existing bracket apparatus. There will be additional costs but I find they will likely be negligible. I could go on for days about how great the staff at MotoWheels treats the customers.

New Parts Order!

TPO Parts will provide some finishing touches to the induction system as well as the tail assembly of the Monster. As my Monster is carburated, the grey plastic vent pods have always looked excessive. The pods will be removed using a kit from TPO , cleaning up the front end. The rear will be rounded out with a fender eliminator bracket and signal relocation bracket as well, with lightweight (plastic) bolts to hold it together. The total order consists of:

• Ducati Low Profile Turn Signal Brackets
• TPO Stealth License Plate Bracket Monster - TACTICAL Style
• Lightweight License Plate Bolt Kit
• Ducati Monster Carburetor Vent-Pod Removal Kit

The parts are due to arrive within the next 2-5 days.

2nd Delivery

MotoWheels Box o' Goodies was delivered on time as promised by the folks at FedEx. A large Quat-D box that was unmistakeably for me was awaiting my return from an oil change today. In the box was:

• Complete Quat-D Ex Box System for M900 Ducati Monster
• 2 Quat-D Stickers
• No Quat-D Installation Instructions!
• Several Italian only "Authenticity" papers for Quat-D
  
• Brembo Radial "GP" Master Cylinder 19x18
• Speigler Dual Line Brake Switch Banjo Bolt
• Swirl Pattern Billet Aluminum Steering Head Bolt
• Titanium Crankcase Cover Bolts (2)
• Titanium Color SpeedyMoto Crankcase Cover - "Iron Cross"
• SpeedyMoto Stainless Steel Crankcase Cover Bolts (2)
• CycleCat DBR-3 Adjustable Riser Clipons - Titanium Colored
  
• CycleCat Installation Instructions
• CycleCat Bar End Sliders
• CycleCat DS-7 Frame Slider - Spare Delrin Slider

Seen below are pictures of various parts included in shipment.

1st Delivery

Ferracci parts delivered on schedule. [23 October 2006]
Included are:

• BMC Filter Element
• Ferracci aluminum bracket for open air-box top
• 2 BMC Air Filter Stickers

Below are pictures of the box the parts came in, and the parts next to the box.

Tank & Fairing Repair

Tank & Fairing repair is key for the rebuild. The tank will be repaired, removing all dents and dings and then repainted the stock Ducati Red color. The tank, headlight fairing, and seat cowl will also be striped white down the center and the tank logos will be changed to the old 60-70's era logo. The stock (original) Logo and the new 'Retro' Logo can be seen below. All tank & fairing repairs will be completed by Brad Diez of Speedzone Paint & Bodyworks. It should be noted that after millions of emails and responses to and from Brad, he has not gotten frustrated.

His commitment and level of customer service is beyond A+.

Original Logo

"Retro" Logo

And this is a cartoon representation of what the tank will look like. Thanks to fellow DML'ers for helping me photoshop the appropriate tank logos, color, striping and gas fill cap on a stock image. The tank is currently at Corse Motorsports for disassembly, draining and shipment to California.

Parts Shipped

One day after ordering:

Ferracci shipping confirmation received:

Package to be delivered on 23 October 2006 via UPS .

Motowheels shipping confirmation received yesterday:

Package to be delivered on 24 October 2006 via FedEx.

Ordering Repair Parts

PARTS

The first round of parts have been ordered. Two seperate orders were made, one at MotoWheels and the other through Fast By Ferracci. I have differing opinions on both transactions from the very beginning.

MOTOWHEELS -

Parts ordered (9):

• Spare Cycle Cat DS-7 Delrin Frame Slider
• Cycle Cat DBR-3 Adjustable Riser Clipons, Titanium Color, 2.5" Riser, CRG Bar Ends
• Brembo "GP" Radial M/C 19x18
• Mini Banjo Brake Switch - Dual Line
• Quat-D Ex Box Exhaust - M900
• Billet Exhaust Flange - 2V Ducati
• SpeedyMoto Crankcase Cover - "Iron Cross"
• Titanium Crankcase Cover bolts
• Billet Monster Steering Head Bolt - "Swirl"

Notes: Great website, immediate verification of order email. This was quickly followed up by an email from an employee to let me know that the Billet Exhaust Flanges do not work with the Ex Box exhaust system. He wanted to know if I wanted to take them off the order completely or be issued store credit (the cost for the flanges is ~$100). Either is fine with me, but useless flanges is not, so I was happy to get the email. Order was shipped later that day, tracking number email received as well.


FERRACCI -

Parts Ordered (1):

• Airbox Conversion w/ K&N Filter Element. For Carburated M900.

Notes: No confirmation email. Order given during checkout, so I called asking why I the website said I'd get an email and I had received none... Online Orders Guy is out at meetings for the day was answer given. I ask if it is in stock to verify that I will be receiving something in a reasonable amount of time. Employee on phone was unable to tell. Dissapointing to say the least and I am hoping this is not a sign of bad things to come.

Beginning after the Crash

EVERY GREAT PROJECT first begins with an idea. In my case, the idea was how do I repair this bike after a crash...My Monster 900 and I had a lack of traction experience traveling east of Memphis on a back road that resulted in a nasty tank dent, mangled handlebars, bent exhaust, scratches on both the headlight and seat cowl, and the destruction of my front brake master cylinder.

Needless to say, highsides suck.

This blog's purpose is to serve as an update of the rebuild process and what is going on the bike. This will include unbiased product and vendor reviews along the way. The primary companies I have chosen to deal with are shown below:

• Corse Motorsports - Nashville based local Ducati shop run by two great guys, Alain Ledgerwood & Andy York.
• Speedzone Paint & Bodyworks - Brad Diez defines great customer service, he will be responsible for the tank repair and painting. Located in California.
  
• MotoWheels - Also based in California, Motowheels has a phenomenal website with great inventory and some of the best pricing. The majority of replacement parts will come from them.
• Fast By Ferracci - Northeastern U.S. based company with racing heritage. Mixed reviews from several friends but the parts offered make them worth a shot.
• The DML - The Ducati Monster List: An invaluable resource for information, advice, and instructions.

Updates as they occur will be posted with opinions on transactions.

Pre-Crash Ducati:

On Its Trip Home from Ohio.