Ducati custom build Mark II

[buzzer]

December and progress has been a little slow due partly to the holiday, but mainly as Mrs. Buzzer has broken two fingers which means garage time is limited! I am having to do jobs I don’t normally do!

I have managed a couple of small jobs… made some adaptors for the manifold for the vacuum fuel tap, mounted the speedo sensor on the back wheel in place of the original hall sensor (hope the magnets stay in place!) and finally made a new “T” piece for the carbs as I didn’t like the very short connector on the original plastic one.

This needed to be accurate, so out came the micrometer, which my Dad gave me when I was about 16… that was 47 years ago. I have more modern measuring stuff, but this is still the default measuring tool I go to. its still checks out accurate!

I have started the bike, but I have a problem in that I only have a spark on the vertical cylinder... this seems to be a problem with the Ignitech ignition. the guys there are looking at it for me at the moment

[dc2rr07]

Nothing wrong with a micrometer certainly better than a digital vernier which is what everyone seems to use nowadays, like the attention to detail and hope the Mrs has a speedy recovery for Xmas.

Edited by dc2rr07 on Sunday 16th December 14:05

[garypotter]

Wishing you a very merry xmas and thank you for the updates, its a great thread and I have envy for your workmanship.

And I hope the wife makes a speedy recovery

[Krikkit]

dc2rr07 said:

Nothing wrong with a micrometer certainly better than a digital vernier which is what everyone seems to use nowadays, like the attention to detail and hope the Mrs has a speedy recovery for Xmas.

Why? Assuming the digi verniers are reasonably accurate should it be an issue?

Nothing wrong with a micrometer of course, just interested in your thinking.

[tvrolet]

buzzer said:

GENIUS!!! I spotted the depth gauge beside your lathe. I'm not particularly good on my lathe, but can rustle-up simple stuff... It's an old Myford lathe in imperial and most of the stuff I do is metric so I stop every so often and use a vernier caliper to measure. And it wouldn't be the first time I've found I've cut a little too far and have to junk everything and start again. But I do have a depth gauge and a magnetic stand - never thought of using it with the lathe! That alone will probably save me quite a few wasted pieces.

...but apart from that - what a great job you're doing. Superb attention to detail.

[dc2rr07]

Krikkit said:

dc2rr07 said:

Nothing wrong with a micrometer certainly better than a digital vernier which is what everyone seems to use nowadays, like the attention to detail and hope the Mrs has a speedy recovery for Xmas.

Why? Assuming the digi verniers are reasonably accurate should it be an issue?

Nothing wrong with a micrometer of course, just interested in your thinking.

Getting a set of verniers in to measure a diameter while the part is still in the lathe is not ideal, using a micrometer is much easier.
Verniers are ok but for precision work a micrometer is much better.

[buzzer]

garypotter said:

Wishing you a very merry xmas and thank you for the updates, its a great thread and I have envy for your workmanship.

And I hope the wife makes a speedy recovery

Thanks! Not many updates at the moment... although its only her fingers broken she is in plaster up to her elbow... so cooking, cleaning, she cant drive so lots of shopping trips which as you can imagine I LOVE....!!!

I do feel for her though... one of her pasions in life is playing the piano....


Still, only 5 weeks to go!

[scarble]

Every vernier I've used always feels like it has too much play in it, micrometers feel better.

[buzzer]

scarble said:

Every vernier I've used always feels like it has too much play in it, micrometers feel better.

I agree... I do use mine all the time though, so useful to be able to zero the reading... however, I default to the micrometer once I am down to the last few thou

Managed to sneak in the garage for a while... still some wiring to finish off, and I have replaced the ignition leads with some new copper core wire. Been years since I made some up, they seem to last well on today's cars and bikes.

As I need to get the pins out of some of the loom connectors, in particular the handlebar switches I used this set of removers... they were only a few pounds but over the years they have been used time and time again! They fit the majority of connectors and allow you to remove and replace the connection pins without damage.

[buzzer]

progress really has been slow, garage time is limited due to my wife breaking two fingers and being in plaster up to her elbow....

So its been cooking, cleaning, and as she cant drive... shopping. lots and lots of shopping.... and yet more shopping...

bear with me.... normal service will resume in a few weeks when the plaster comes off

[buzzer]

A little bit more progress... the original mudguard protected the chrome stanchion from stone chips... hence the new alloy protectors. I have also made up some alloy frame plugs in place of the black rubber ones.

[Benni]

I like the fork protectors, where and how are they attached ?

[buzzer]

Benni said:

I like the fork protectors, where and how are they attached ?

I drilled and tapped the fork leg and used a couple of 4mm cap heads

[buzzer]

Now the bit I am not too keen on… painting the tanks and seat. not because I don’t like that actual work, its the mess it makes in the garage. There are two tanks as I initially bought a Carbed Monster tank, but it simply didn’t fit, which is a pity as I prefer the shape. Thought I would paint it at the same time and sell it on. Its almost new, the guy I bought it off said when his monster was new it fell over and dented the tank, so he bough a new one. this has been in his loft for almost 20 years! The monster tank will be red… I already have some paint… As for the tank and seat… we will see!

[buzzer]

Thanks!

I decided that as I had not used this particular paint system before I would do the Monster tank first as I wont be using that... Have to say the paint is really good and goes on really nice! anyone want a Monster tank, its up for sale soon!

[buzzer]

I am impressed with the finish straight out of the gun! difficult to photograph!

[WinstonWolf]

That looks remarkably orange peel free

[buzzer]

WinstonWolf said:

That looks remarkably orange peel free

yea, not even a hint

[buzzer]

finally decided on the colour after much deliberation.... Orange. The tank and seat divide opinion, some like it, some hate it... may as well do the same with the colour! have to say this paint is really good... but so is my new spray gun...

When I was 20 my dad bought me a second hand Binks Bullows 230, which I have used for over 40 years. I must have bought 5 different guns over the years to replace it, but always came back to it. then last year my mate loaned me a gun to try. Fantastic! I was shocked to learn he paid £18 for it new, complete with three different nozzles!! So I bought one, its brilliant!

[Prof Prolapse]

I like the colour mate. Looks a bit different.

Did Ducati ever use that orange then?