Author Topic: I lowered my standards (Read 6786 times)

Scott · « **Reply #50 on:** October 03, 2021, 01:35:09 PM »

That one on the right is stuffed and very noisy

Scott · « **Reply #51 on:** October 03, 2021, 01:52:57 PM »

I just looked up gearbox parts from Gowenloch and I can get a complete gear box for around $3000.

I'll take the gears that have some damage to show my mate and make a decision from there if I replace single gears or do the whole lot.

I'm leaning towards the whole thing.

A long time ago I bought a little Ducati 450 mark3 (non desmo - nothing special) I bought it off a bloke who was selling it to fund a rebuild on a 900 engine. I've never really ridden the bike much as it was turned into a cafe racer in 1975 and it's not very comfortable or easy to ride.

I have been thinking of selling the little Ducati for a couple of years. Now might be perfect timing to move it on and spend more on this Darmah engine. I think I only paid around $4000 and will get twice that now no worries and cover the entire engine rebuild.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #52 on:** October 05, 2021, 04:03:08 AM »

Yeah, it's funny how things go around mate, I knocked back a 450 "Silver Shotgun" in 1977 for $450 at Stanco in Melbourne, buying a Yamaha TX500 instead. Oh well. Gowanloch's were in Lidcombe when I was posted there in 80/81 when I was restoring my K1. I wandered in one day and asked them if they did any work on Honda's, and Mr Gowanloch, fresh out of jail (knocking off parts and selling them out the back door when employed by Frasers) told me in no uncertain terms that no, they didn't fix Jap bikes. I was a bit surprised, as they didn't seem to have much work.

If you can afford it, replace as much of the internals as you can, your Darmah is the same vintage as my SS, and the build quality back then was terrible, hopefully the replacement parts are much better now, I presume they're all aftermarket? I couldn't see Ducati having much in the way of NOS parts 40(+) years, and many owners (of the company) later? Selling the 450 should easily cover a complete rebuild, and a holiday, a couple of house payments, and lots of beer.

Scott · « **Reply #53 on:** October 09, 2021, 03:32:06 AM »

I ordered the gearbox cause I agree, I don't want to be pulling it apart in 5 or so years wishing I had of done it the first time.

Also ordered a new clutch hub, clutch and selector shaft. May as well spend a couple of bucks now and keep the bike running smoothly for years to come.

The little 450 is probably only worth $7000 to $8000. It's nothing special and it was turned into a cafe racer back in the 70's and is not awsome to ride.

I think I will sell it though, I don't ride it and can't be bothered working on it to turn it back to original.

Scott · « **Reply #54 on:** November 20, 2021, 05:19:51 PM »

Got the stuff back from hydro blaster.

Got the new gearbox and got the rebuilt crank back.

HondaMan · « **Reply #55 on:** December 03, 2021, 05:26:55 PM »

Quote from: MauiK3 on June 19, 2021, 03:25:18 PM

The calipers have the bleed and line connection ports swapped so both bleed holes face forward.

Very cool!
I never did that with mine, was in too big a hurry back then.

Scott · « **Reply #56 on:** June 25, 2022, 09:42:22 PM »

Finally got the engine back in and just a couple of things left to do and I’ll fire it up and start riding the barstard.

Scott · « **Reply #57 on:** June 25, 2022, 09:45:06 PM »

8 parts to the clutch push rod set up.

ekpent · « **Reply #58 on:** June 26, 2022, 05:41:02 AM »

Is that all ?

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #59 on:** June 26, 2022, 01:37:33 PM »

You have to love 1970’s Ducati engineering, why use a rod and a ball bearing like the Japs when you can use 8? I bought a Ducati in March and I’m happy to report that nothings fallen off it yet! (Because I haven’t ridden it…..)

Scott · « **Reply #60 on:** June 27, 2022, 12:42:45 AM »

What did you buy?

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #61 on:** June 27, 2022, 02:20:20 AM »

Quote from: Scott on June 27, 2022, 12:42:45 AM

What did you buy?

Thanks mate, I bought a "modified" 916 Monster S4. It's a nice looking thing with some nice aftermarket extras (Ohlins shock, Conti pipes, etc etc) but the guy who modified it put higher rearsets and low clipons on it, which is fine if you're 5'6" and 60 kilo's, but I'm 6'4" and 100 kilo's, so no good for me. I bought a set of good used OEM handlebars from Britain, and am looking for a nice clean set of OEM footpegs/hangers/rearsets, but so far most of the ones I've seen look like they've been dragged down the road? I've wanted an S4 ever since they were released, and it's a nice looking bike, but I won't be doing too many miles on it until it's a bit more comfortable.

Terry's Ducati S4 25 Mar 2022 1 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's Ducati S4 25 Mar 2022 2 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Terry's Ducati S4 25 Mar 2022 3 by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

Scott · « **Reply #62 on:** June 27, 2022, 03:09:24 PM »

That’s a very neat looking bike. What year model is it?

My only modern Ducati was the ST4S with the 996 engine. It was faster than I needed and after about 10 years I got rid of it and went back to the CB750.

The Ducati I found boring if riding at the speed limit on certain roads when the CB750 would be fun at the same speed.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #63 on:** June 27, 2022, 03:17:09 PM »

Thanks Scott, 2002, I think? And yep, it’s way more fun riding a slow bike (by modern standards) fast, than riding a fast bike slow. The S4 and ST4 shared the same engine and frame, the handlebars I bought are actually ST4 bars, but they’re the same part number as S4 handlebars.

I’m keen to take it for its first decent ride, but I’ll wait until I’ve sorted the ergonomics, I’m old and broken so a long ride on it in its current configuration is out of the question, it’d be the bear on the tricycle thing.

MauiK3 · « **Reply #64 on:** June 28, 2022, 07:59:34 AM »

My old and flat butt would be numb in a few miles!

Scott · « **Reply #65 on:** January 26, 2023, 02:04:08 AM »

The time has finally come.

Scott · « **Reply #66 on:** January 26, 2023, 02:09:56 AM »

There have been a few hiccups along the way, but I reckon it’s been worth it.

Tomorrow’s my last day of work, then I head to Tassie on Monday or Tuesday

Sheep skin seat cover is heaps comfy.

Stev-o · « **Reply #67 on:** January 26, 2023, 06:54:09 AM »

Looks great, have fun and let us know how it goes!

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #68 on:** February 10, 2023, 09:05:23 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on January 26, 2023, 06:54:09 AM

Looks great, have fun and let us know how it goes!

Curious.... How was the trip?

MauiK3 · « **Reply #69 on:** February 11, 2023, 08:22:17 AM »

Nice Ducati

Scott · « **Reply #70 on:** February 28, 2023, 03:39:42 AM »

Trip to Tassie was fantastic

About 5500km in total which was nice. Not too many long days and some days when we hardly jumped on the bikes.

We camped in tents the whole time and had great weather nearly all of the time.

No police that we saw and when we spoke to other bike riders who chatted with the cops they were told to respect the speed limits in towns and crowded areas, but have fun out there within your abilities.

All the locals are so friendly and the scenery is amazing. You can go from open farm land to a twisty mountain road through a rain forest up to rocky areas with little vegetation (maybe old glacier looking areas) then and down the other side going past rivers and lakes to the coast with nice beaches. It's quite surreal.

Did a 100km or so of dirt roads on the way there and the way back which I always enjoy, but these sections I was travelling by myself and the loaded up Darmah performed beautifully.

I have come to realise that as I get older my days of a camping motor cycle trip are almost behind me and on the way home I opted for a hotel room which was nice after a 700km day.

After all the dramas with the rebuild of the Ducati it behaved itself the whole time except for once or twice being stubborn to start. Hopefully electric start will be fitted latter this year.

I did an oil change when I got home and checked the spark plugs, but the rear cylinder head had a time sert (actually a big sert) fitted which unscrewed a bit when removing the spark plug so it's time to leave the Ducati in the garage and head up to Queensland with a couple of Hondas in tow for a month.

I'll go through my phone later and put up a couple of photos

C317414 · « **Reply #71 on:** February 28, 2023, 04:53:07 AM »

That's a nice bevelhead Ducati!

My experience with Ducatis has always been great. In the 70s I roadraced a bevelhead twin and had zero issues with it. I've also owned a couple of 450 singles (Desmo and Scrambler), as well as a rubberband 900ss.

All have been very reliable, except for the propensity of the singles to vibrate fuses apart. This is easily solved by eliminating the fuse block, and mounting the fuses on in-line holders. This isolates the from the vibrations.

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #72 on:** February 28, 2023, 09:04:28 AM »

Congrats Scott. Effort rewarded.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #73 on:** February 28, 2023, 12:12:24 PM »

Sounds like a great ride mate, well done. I love Tasmania, I’ve been all over Oz, but Tassie is by far the most beautiful landscape, and as you mentioned, the people there are really friendly too. I’ve only driven around Tassie but once I retire I’ll put my bike on the ferry and do a few days soaking up the scenery. I’m definitely too old for camping so I’ll stay in motels and eat at local eateries. Should be a great way to spend a few days.

Scott · « **Reply #74 on:** February 28, 2023, 12:59:34 PM »

Took at trip down Hellyer Gorge

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Author Topic: I lowered my standards (Read 6786 times)