Elefant Sightings?

[MC-Leather]

Originally Posted by Dewey V

Kurt, Jay and Marijke,

Your chain sliders are on the way, they went out in today's mail.
Installation is pretty self-explanatory, just press your bolt bushings into the holes, all of the spacers are marked as to where they go and use blue Loctite on the bolts. The bolts shouldn't be overtightened, a 1/4 inch drive ratchet works fine.

Very Cool. Just the other day I was looking at the bike thinking it was a finished project... sometimes I'm a fool.... motorcycles are never finished.

[donaldlav]

Dewey,
Kurt informed me of your chain slide project. Are you still up for orders? If so, I need to replace mine very soon.
Thanks, Donald LaVigne, Augusta, GA

Originally Posted by Dewey V

Kurt,
Here is another photo showing the upper and lower portions. I made them as an upper and lower with machined aluminum spacers to compensate for the bolt holes being on a different plane than the surface where the slider sits.
These have about a thousand miles on them and are barely marked by the chain, plus they're a lot smoother than the original material. I made them on a manual mill (no CNC) so it takes a couple of hours to whittle out a set. Would 75 dollars a set, shipped, be OK? That would include a complete kit of bolts, spacers and sliders.

[Dewey V]

Don,
Sure, I'll make you a kit but it will be about two weeks as it takes about three hours to make a set and my work schedule is very full. I only made three kits for the people who committed to but them.

Dewey

[Dewey V]

After going through the bike from front to back and taking it on a 300 mile trip yesterday without missing a beat, I have decided that this just isn't the bike for me so I've posted it for sale in the Flea Market section. Here is a chance for someone to get a fine example at what I think is a fair price.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=792674

[Gone14s]

Sorry to here it Dewey. But I understand we both are in the same boat. Going to let mine go also. Good luck on your sale.

Kurt

[Dewey V]

Originally Posted by Gone14s

Sorry to here it Dewey. But I understand we both are in the same boat. Going to let mine go also. Good luck on your sale.

Kurt

Well I hope it doesn't sell before you get your chain sliders, they went out in Saturday's mail.

[Gone14s]

I'll get ahold of you Friday to get the funds to you. I'm sure it will still be around. The sliders will still go with the bike at any rate.

Kurt

[MC-Leather]

Originally Posted by Dewey V

Kurt, Jay and Marijke,

Your chain sliders are on the way, they went out in today's mail.
Installation is pretty self-explanatory, just press your bolt bushings into the holes, all of the spacers are marked as to where they go and use blue Loctite on the bolts. The bolts shouldn't be overtightened, a 1/4 inch drive ratchet works fine.

I got mine today, they look great!! Thanks.

[Gone14s]

Originally Posted by MC-Leather

I got mine today, they look great!! Thanks.

After reading Jay's post that he got his I went out to the mail box and mine where sitting there to.......all I can say is WOW! I don't see the chain eating the thing's up in the futre any time to soon.....very nice!

Thanks Kurt

[Dewey V]

You're welcome guys. Use 'em in good health.

[Chadleys1]

Dewey V-If you ever make another batch of the chainsliders, I'd like to sign up to purchase one, just for sandbagging for the future.

All- I have a 94 E900 that I acquired in a trade with one of the coolest oldschool moto-guys in my area. I stored the bike for months without even running it, as I planned to sell it and didn't want to fall in love with it or anything.
Well... too late for that now.
I did a proper "make-run" on it, and WOW is this thing sweet !!
For a Ducati, I am so impressed with how it pulls smoothly from low RPM's all the way up to ? higher RPM's than any of my other bikes.
I like the way they "de-tuned" the 900 2 valve.
Maybe it is not the raciest Desmodue engine, but seems perfect and practical for this do-all style of motorbike.
My buddy who traded it to me seems entertained by the whole thing, and I suspect he has known all along that I would end up loving the Elefant.

I think this one must have the starter to battery modification completed because it starts easier than any motorcycle I've ever had. It is like it is already turning under it's own power on the first ignition pulse... instant run.

First thing I'm going to look at is the headlights. I've got a brand new battery in it, and judging visually, they seem weak.
I've read about a common upgrade for the headlights, so unless y'all tell me differently, I'll probably go the Elefant Adventure Labs route.
In fact, I'll probably end up ordering a lot from them.

I'm also worried about airflow to the oil cooler with the front high fender.
Should I drill the back ? Cut some off ? Mount a low fender ?

Exhaust. Is it common to "de-smog/de-catalytic converter" these E900's ? I am assuming yes, but if anyone wants to point out anything I should know about the process, I'm listening.

PS i am an experienced mechanic, but not experienced with Ducatis or Cagivas... yet.

Any advice ?
Warnings ?
Virtual High-Fives ?

thanks,
-Chadley

[Chadleys1]

Also, please don't tell me to search the threads.
I am searching the threads like I was preparing to take the BAR exam or something like that.
haha
-Chadley

[Bevelhead]

Sweet bike. Welcome to the herd. I would recommend the DDL headlight wiring kit from elefantadventurebikes.com. You can do it yourself but Michael's kit is plug and play and well-designed and built. Your headlights will be much brighter. Clean your fuse contacts and 4-pin plug from the fuses, or better yet, replace the 4-pin with one from Michael as well. Check/clean wiring to the regulator and make sure it's well-grounded. If it hasn't already been replaced, buy a spare regulator from DDL or Rick's Electrics (I think you can get a MOSFET from Rick's now. Won't ever get hot.)

Store the cat and get a new can. I bought a D&D. Some say they're too loud but I get nothing but complements on the sound. OK it drones a bit under the helmet in a tailwind but hey, if it's too loud, you're too old. I'm 51 and I can deal with it.

Keep it full of fresh oil and don't worry about the cooler. Drill it out if it bugs you bad enough.

2V belt motors are as easy to work on as anything out there. And they're more reliable than most with merely common sense maintenance.

If you get near SW Kansas let me know. We can ride the Gyp Hills.

Enjoy! I know you will.

[Chadleys1]

Thanks Bevelhead !
That is just the confidence boost I needed.
The bike is really running well right now, and I found the misplaced title this morning. I already have it insured, and will have it tagged and legal this week. I appreciate, and will follow your recommendations.
I'll post pics after the first good ride I take.
Cheers,
-Chadleys1

Originally Posted by Bevelhead

Sweet bike. Welcome to the herd. I would recommend the DDL headlight wiring kit from elefantadventurebikes.com. You can do it yourself but Michael's kit is plug and play and well-designed and built. Your headlights will be much brighter. Clean your fuse contacts and 4-pin plug from the fuses, or better yet, replace the 4-pin with one from Michael as well. Check/clean wiring to the regulator and make sure it's well-grounded. If it hasn't already been replaced, buy a spare regulator from DDL or Rick's Electrics (I think you can get a MOSFET from Rick's now. Won't ever get hot.)

Store the cat and get a new can. I bought a D&D. Some say they're too loud but I get nothing but complements on the sound. OK it drones a bit under the helmet in a tailwind but hey, if it's too loud, you're too old. I'm 51 and I can deal with it.

Keep it full of fresh oil and don't worry about the cooler. Drill it out if it bugs you bad enough.

2V belt motors are as easy to work on as anything out there. And they're more reliable than most with merely common sense maintenance.

If you get near SW Kansas let me know. We can ride the Gyp Hills.

Enjoy! I know you will.

[Chadleys1]

Gyp Hills added to my must-check-out-list.
Thanks again.
-CLC

Originally Posted by Bevelhead

Sweet bike. Welcome to the herd.

If you get near SW Kansas let me know. We can ride the Gyp Hills.

Enjoy! I know you will.