Ducati ST2 Dual Sport

[ozmikl]

I have my old ST2 in the garage and am thinking of Dual Sporting the old girl.
Seems simple enough as I am more a dirt road rider than anything too serious (well that's what I tell the cook anyway) a 21 inch front and 18 inch rear should rake it up enough for good dirt road caracteristics.
So any suggestions????
I think I could come up with a light (target around 190kgs) responsive (love that 2 valve engine) and good handling (graft a primo dirt bike front and rear end in Ohlins or WP) bike.
So c'mon am I crazy?
Michael

[ozmikl]

Ok it's on!
With a lot of encouragement from Old Dog and Pezz the bullet has been bit....
It is going to be a fairly long term project (6 months minimum I reckon).
The basics are relatively easy but the new manufactured / fabricated bits will take the time, hopefully the old girl will look like a factory product.
And so some pics to introduce the next ADV Rider Biggest Loser.....

• Current weight 225kg with empty paniers
• 83 Horse Power
• Seat Height 820mm
• 944cc's of beautiful GRUNT

Happy days the ST, Me and my Daughter on the way to the Phillip Island GP



Does my arse look big in this????



A bit of Jenny Craig required here



A look under her skirt



Excess fat removed.... well there is some stuff that has to go back on but there is a shitload of heavy ancillaries that will be discarded.



Sure is skinny now



Now that's a sexy arse... Love the way Ducati have put all of the wonderful brackets and attachment points on the frame, will make for mounting luggage, exhaust, bar work etc relatively easy.





So there you have it the bones for an exciting project.
Some areas that require most work

• Relocating the radiator possibly to the airbox location or the side of the frame ala Super Tenere.
• Run carbies (kehin flatslides most likely) to simplify the bike, get rid of the huge wiring loom, computer etc, free up the airbox area for radiator or fuel tank extension enable the running of a lot smaller battery.
• Obviously the choice of front and rear end suspension & running gear, maybe WR stuff??? want to run a 21 / 18 combo.
• How to get a 2 into 1 exhaust through the frame and to keep it up high to give ground clearance all Ducati's run their front header under the sump.
• Bash plates and bar work but they should be easy
• Work on not smiling a lot cause once she is finished I don't think I will be able to

Any feed back constructive criticism or ideas apreciated.
Stay tuned
Michael

[Pezz_gs]

Hi Michael

Im subscribing to this one

Sounds like a great plan Doctor Evil . . . and dont worry about the not smiling thing, when you finish your checks will be hurting from smiling too much .

[ozmikl]

Where did you get that photo of me?

[NADZ]

I have thought about this in the past... I have a 2000 ST4. I couldnt bring myself to do it for a million reasons so I purchased a 05 wee-strom instead, which is now getting a Husky front end and a DR rear wheel. I reckon your ST will be an awesome project, best of luck!!

[ozmikl]

Originally Posted by NADZ

I have thought about this in the past... I have a 2000 ST4. I couldnt bring myself to do it for a million reasons so I purchased a 05 wee-strom instead, which is now getting a Husky front end and a DR rear wheel. I reckon your ST will be an awesome project, best of luck!!

Well she has 78000k's on her and is a 98 so really it isn't worth anything, I doubt I could have sold her if I tried or if it did sell it would have been a give away!
The reality is it was a free platform for me to start a project especially in light of my love for the bike and Ducati's in general, as you know the ST2 is a very underated motorcycle, beautiful power delivery, balance and weight.
Michael

[Snr Moment]

Here's something to shoot for if you haven't already seen it.

http://www.terramostro.com/

Looking forward to the final product.

[ozmikl]

Originally Posted by Snr Moment

Here's something to shoot for if you haven't already seen it.

http://www.terramostro.com/

Looking forward to the final product.

Thanks Snr
Yes I have seen it and I guess essentially it is the same bike to base on except the capacity and watercooling but I want to improve on it, hard task I know but we will see.
Michael

[Wreckchecker]

My ST2 is the one bike I wish I never sold, so it hurts to think of such a project. Then again, with the bar risers under tall bars, high windshield, etc, I kept being accused of Beemerizing mine to have a "sit up Duck." It also allowed easier running on gravel, as I could stand on the pegs.

A couple of things I'd think to be essential for your project would be a large increase in suspension travel and at least a larger wheel on the front. I landed on the pipe more than once due to the soft suspension with limited stroke. And the stock wheel size just doesn't cut it when the road gets muddy and rutted, trying to follow the path of least resistance, rather than rolling over whatever is there.

Maybe the forks & wheels off a Yam dirt machine?

[ozmikl]

Originally Posted by Wreckchecker

A couple of things I'd think to be essential for your project would be a large increase in suspension travel and at least a larger wheel on the front. I landed on the pipe more than once due to the soft suspension with limited stroke. And the stock wheel size just doesn't cut it when the road gets muddy and rutted, trying to follow the path of least resistance, rather than rolling over whatever is there.

Maybe the forks & wheels off a Yam dirt machine?

They are a sensational bike Wreck.
I agree with all you have said re the mods (see post 2 above) just got to find it all lol.
Michael

[ozmikl]

Ruth just asked me if the fringes and tassels need to be scotch guarded so the mud comes off easily...... I mean really!!!!!!!!!!!
Michael

[ozmikl]

Put the stripped bike on the scales yesterday and came up with 146kg as it is in the photo above... still have the front end to change (I imagine a WR or similar front end is heaps lighter) the big ol cast wheels to swap over and of course there is stuff to put back on but I am pretty confident of keeping it under 200kg.
Michael

[Unleaded]

It always seems that the coolest garage-engineered bikes come from the Aussies....


Looking forward to this one. Love the idea.

[Maggot1300]

old dog has a lot to answer for eh

glad to see a fellow mexican playing at dr frankenstein, can't wait to see the results

[ozmikl]

Originally Posted by Maggot1300

old dog has a lot to answer for eh

glad to see a fellow mexican playing at dr frankenstein, can't wait to see the results

Maggot,
You will just have to come and have a look for your self one day I'm just down Burwood Highway.
Michael