Recipe for dirt monster

"We" are currently sourcing a new frame to replace the one that was broken by getting "hit&runned" a while back:


http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=804583

It's also still a bit warm to do much out in the shop, temps in the mid 90's up to the 100's. And still recovering from blunt trauma to the shoulders due to the hit.

I'm mostly planning and looking for parts. I've got the XR650R front, but I've been contemplating a KTM/WP front. Need to decide so I can start on wheels. It looks like a KTM type rear wheel is already part of the plan (cush hub is a part of this) but I want to get a matched set - perhaps with color? Red rims, black hubs? Red rims, red hubs? A part of the front decision is single or dual disc. WP forks can go either way, but I've seen some dual disc bikes converted to large rotor single disc - haven't seen a single to dual conversion yet.

Heya Wad, looks like you're doing a good job there! I see some of the guys have already posted up links to my similar, i hope it helps you with yours! Oh by the way, something to consider instead of welding up an extended swingarm, you could consider using a standard Paso 907 alloy swing arm and mount system. The Paso is longer as you want and has bearings in the end of the swingarm instead of using the bearing in the engine case. Makes for an even more rigid maounting of the swingarm pivot area. If you need any help i'm happy pass on what i've learnt.

As Desmo says i bought the bike back and for a very good reason, this conversion makes a bloody good all round and unique bike with loads of character. You're gonna enjoy this!

Thanks for the info! I had already scoped out your build before starting - but didn't recall this trick. I found this pic of ST4 vs Paso 907 swingarms:

IIRC the swingarms in the Terra Mostros were from the Multistrada but 2x check me.

M

First off - some progress!

Unbroken and straight - and Red!

After some checking & thinking - no, the Paso arm looks the same length and would require major suspension mods to the frame. OTOH, the Multistrada 620 has the same suspension hookup - which not only fits the frame, but allows ride height mods w/o messing with the preload (once you get an adjustable tie rod, which I have).

The Multistrada arm does have bearings in the arm vs the Monster with bearing in the engine cases. There are outboard attachment points on the MS frame for the pivot axle - but I don'tthink the axle also passes thru the cases (looking at DucatiOmaha parts catalogs) No bearings listed, and the case doesn't appear to have the thru hole - meaning the arm pivot was behind the cases - longer wheelbase, but not necessarily longer arm. Hmm.
620 MultiStrada:


695 Monster:


Looks like the suspension mounts are further back - and maybe it is longer overall, but the length is all at the front. I'm going to stick with original plan, I think.

Quit bein' a wuss, Wade! Get out there and wrench and sweat!







Seriously, I hope that you're mending well.


Chris

Oh, I can attest; He's got some bones to chew on.

Some minor progress:


Next step is to build a cradle to hold the bottom of the motor so I can take the munched front end off! The cradle needs to keep the exhaust, oil filter and drain plug clear while supporting the engine case.
After that, it's time to strip the dead frame off and get the "new" one in place.

Got some progress this weekend! I built a wood cradle so I could put a jack under the engine cases, then proceeded to strip off the front end:



The funny part was that not only are the frame and both fork legs bent - so is the front axle:



Got a ways to go before the new frame goes on.

Wade, you should be nicer to the next front end. :huh Good luck with the rebuild.

Ya took too long and Bimota came out with whatcher building!

M

Oh help me Rhonda that is stupidly delicious

Want so bad it hurts, I don't even want to know how much it costs.

I haven't seen too much about it, but I did see 1100cc





M

Ain't you got anything better to do than taunt me with yet another unaffordable Bimota - and this one is (sadly) pure vaporware. <sigh>

Bimota DBX-1100



En Espanol: http://www.masmoto.net/novedades/2012/11/13/bimota-dbx-1100/

.......................

I was waiting for a thread like this.

I got a 2005 Ducati ST3 that had been in a garage fire for really cheap.

This year, I decided to do a build like yours for the DirtBag Challenge. I got all the suspension work done, but couldn't make it run due to EFI CPU issues... it's one of the red key/black key models. I'll replace it with a MicroSquirt.

Anyway, looking forward to your build.

I'd like to see what you've got done so far - parts choices, etc. For the EFI issues - have you heard of DucatiDiag? An inexpensive enthusiast written full-access bit of software:

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/92-hypermotard/119712-ducatidiag-must-have-every-hm-owner.html
http://ducatidiag.xooit.com/index.php

Don't know if it would help you out - if you've got the red/black keys, this will let you read/erase error codes and completely reprogram your EFI. Also supposed to let you recalibrate your speedo, remove O2 sensors and turn off immobilizer/remove stock instruments.

Thanks for the link - I'm pretty interested in trying out the MicroSquirt, but I may try the diagnostic before pulling the trigger on the MS. Both the red and black keys have had some heat damage, which may have ruined the RFID chip.

I got a CRF 450 roller cheap. Swapping the steering head was dead easy: turned up some cups for the bearings, and a 3/8" thick spacer between the top triple and the steering head. Bolted up like a champ. A better and easier, but more costly solution would have been to buy tapered roller bearings in the correct size.

The rear was quite a bit more work.... and I have a penchant for understatement.

I started with the ST3 swingarm and removed all the stock shock mounting hardware, leaving only the main cross brace. I then sectioned it aft of the cross brace and added 2.5" to accomodate a DR650 wheel with an 18" rim laced to it. I chose the DR rim because it has factory cush drive.

I then sectioned the SA in front of the cross brace and added 1.25" there in order to accomodate the shock and linkage from the CRF.

I did all this cutting and welding basically as a one-time-use for the DBC -- I have plans to create a new SA from scratch using 3" x 1" tubing. There is a ***big*** problem with adding travel to the ST3 SA: the SA pivot pinch bolt interferes with the sprocket. The pinch bolt will have to be changed.

The lower shock linkage mount required a bit of tinkering, too. I plan to make a removable cradle which will have an outboard bearing for the swingarm, footpeg/shifter/brake mounts, and possibly split dirt-bike style radiator mounts. The doohickey with the zig-zag is a removable frame section. I've made 2 so far, and need 4.

Here's a photo gallery of the progress to date:

http://alanzina.zenfolio.com/p965200943

Might as well show a few:
<a href="http://AlanZina.zenfolio.com/p965200943/e4b9818dc"><img src="http://alanzina.zenfolio.com/img/s4/v66/p1268259036-2.jpg" width="400" height="239" alt="Alan Lapp and Zina Deretsky: DirtCati &emdash; " /></a>

<a href="http://AlanZina.zenfolio.com/p965200943/e4b981764"><img src="http://alanzina.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v71/p1268258660-2.jpg" width="400" height="239" alt="Alan Lapp and Zina Deretsky: DirtCati &emdash; " /></a>

<a href="http://AlanZina.zenfolio.com/p965200943/e4b9817c4"><img src="http://alanzina.zenfolio.com/img/s4/v63/p1268258756-2.jpg" width="400" height="239" alt="Alan Lapp and Zina Deretsky: DirtCati &emdash; " /></a>

To post these, get the embed code from your site - then click the A/A thing in the upper right of the reply window - then paste in the embed code. Voila.