Ducati Monster Rebuild

[Barty]

A few years back I owned a lovely classic yellow Ducati Monster S4R, arguably one of the last oldschool Ducati’s. No digital dash, no driver aids or electronics; a 1000cc twin derived from the 996 suspended into a classic Trellis frame, single sided-swingarm, seriously lightweight magnesium wheels- the end.

It’s a bike I still regret selling, so last summer I bought myself the cheapest S4R in the country with the intention of rebuilding it from the ground up this winter, exactly the way I want it. So last Monday, things got going!



Up onto the ramp, and an afternoon of tinkering later:



With most of the bike dismantled, we ran into a seriously stubborn rear axle. With two almost hidden circlips proving to be the culprit, we finally managed the final step, and:



The beating heart is now free. Next steps include:
- full engine teardown and rebuild
- full refurb of all engine components (optically)
- frame, tank and panel respray
- wheel refurb
- suspension overhaul

Later on, I’ll swap out the front end for a 1098 Ohlins fork and wheel, adding the rear wheel as well naturally, and upgrading the brakes. I’ll also convert it to clip-ons and add a few small final touches as well. Exciting project for the summer

 

[Joycey]

We need more photos and info, love these builds

 

[Rockhopper]

Check rockers and cam shafts. My ST4 with the 916 engine used to treat rockers almost as consumables. The 996 and the 748 have the same problem.

 

[Barty]

Check rockers and cam shafts. My ST4 with the 916 engine used to treat rockers almost as consumables. The 996 and the 748 have the same problem.

Good call that. It’s going to a guy who rebuilds these engines for racing and does bespoke mechanical tuning jobs, so it’s in good hands

 

[Rockhopper]

Excellent stuff! If you leave it too long the rocker can damage the cam shaft.

Shame you are not in the UK, a very good friend of mine runs an independant specialist Ducati workshop.

 

[Smartbear]

Out of curiosity, is the bike to the left in the first pic a Yamaha xj600 diversion? :?
Rob

 

[Pondy]

I am going to have to get one of those bike lifts soon!
Great thread. Keep the updates coming. Never been a Ducati fan but I can see the attraction!

 

[B21]

Sigh…..

I had a lovely Duck 900 with white frame and cherry red half fairing …L900 MAD….I needed to money to fuel my flying addiction, sold it to a philistine….so so regret it…not that I rode it much but it was the most beautiful bike I ever had…with high exhausts it was crippling for the pillion..

Enjoy the restoration

 

[Rockhopper]

Fantastic bikes, I had an ST2 then an ST4 and my Mrs had a 600 Monster. They are super light (they even made one called that!), handle brilliantly and sound great. I did track days on mine and took it to France twice. I sold it then bought it back two years later! Then when I moved house I had nowhere to keep it so I sold it again. The only downside for me was the maintenance, dry clutches, rubber cam belts and chocolate rockers add up to big bills

 

[Pondy]

For inspiration for Barty and those of you who like a bit of Ducati 'bike porn' have a gander at this thread from the cutters:
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/desmosedici.250262/

 

[Mr Tidy]

That looks like a great project Barty.

You do seem to like to keep yourself busy!

 

[Nictrix]

For inspiration for Barty and those of you who like a bit of Ducati 'bike porn' have a gander at this thread from the cutters:
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/desmosedici.250262/

I know that you can relate to the guy owning all those bikes and never using them but I just couldnt do it. I sold my last bike that I loved and had owned for 15 years because I wasnt using it enough.

 

[Pondy]

I know that you can relate to the guy owning all those bikes and never using them but I just couldnt do it. I sold my last bike that I loved and had owned for 15 years because I wasnt using it enough.

If I had the money I would do what he has done in a heartbeat. I would love to have bikes (and cars)on show in my house. It's about appreciating the beauty and the engineering for me (and him obviously).

Admittedly I would commission them on a rota and take them out very sparingly.

I just don't have that kind (or any kind) of money, unfortunately.

 

[Barty]

[ref]Smartbear[/ref], sure is. Belongs to the mother of a good friend of mine, which reminds me of a clutch that still needs doing…

[ref]B21[/ref], that’s a lovely bit of kit, and I can really relate to the regret of letting go a bike like that. Did any new Italian classics find their way back into your garage?

[ref]Rockhopper[/ref], maintenance is always a thing with Ducati’s. As long as you do it properly (on time and with the right stuff) they’ll keep thumping along nicely. Most of the maintenance will be carried out by myself once the rebuild is complete, so that should keep costs in check. They get a bad rep when it comes to reliability, but I used my previous S4R as a daily and ticked up 30.000km’s in 18 months- zero issues

[ref]Pondrew[/ref], sheesh, he’s gone to town on the Ducati specials… I must admit some of the more modern bikes lack the same attraction the old ones have, but horses for the courses I suppose! It’s an insane collection, that’s for sure

[ref]Mr Tidy[/ref], thanks! Can’t really help myself; just love to tinker on stuff like this, and the best feeling is the ride afterwards knowing it’s something you’ve built yourself.

 

[Smartbear]

[ref]Smartbear[/ref], sure is. Belongs to the mother of a good friend of mine, which reminds me of a clutch that still needs doing…

[ref]B21[/ref], that’s a lovely bit of kit, and I can really relate to the regret of letting go a bike like that. Did any new Italian classics find their way back into your garage?

[ref]Rockhopper[/ref], maintenance is always a thing with Ducati’s. As long as you do it properly (on time and with the right stuff) they’ll keep thumping along nicely. Most of the maintenance will be carried out by myself once the rebuild is complete, so that should keep costs in check. They get a bad rep when it comes to reliability, but I used my previous S4R as a daily and ticked up 30.000km’s in 18 months- zero issues

[ref]Pondrew[/ref], sheesh, he’s gone to town on the Ducati specials… I must admit some of the more modern bikes lack the same attraction the old ones have, but horses for the courses I suppose! It’s an insane collection, that’s for sure

[ref]Mr Tidy[/ref], thanks! Can’t really help myself; just love to tinker on stuff like this, and the best feeling is the ride afterwards knowing it’s something you’ve built yourself.

Named that tune in one
Rob

 

[mr.tourette]

Love it I'm a big Ducati fan but in my long and varied history of motorbike ownership I've never owned one..I have made a promise to myself that the next bike I buy will definitely be a Duc..looking forward to this thread progressing

 

[B21]

I had a couple of Laverdas, a 1200 Mirage and then a Jota 1000 180 which I put in a Saxon frame…

The Duck 900 was then the last Italian one I ever had..

Should have had it mounted on a wall as a piece of art…

 

[Barty]

I had a couple of Laverdas, a 1200 Mirage and then a Jota 1000 180 which I put in a Saxon frame…

The Duck 900 was then the last Italian one I ever had..

Should have had it mounted on a wall as a piece of art…

Actually, I’ve created a space for the Duc in my living room, accompanied by a piece of crushed/crashed carbon on the wall. Maybe not the most artsy, but it livens up the room a bit and adds a personal touch



Don’t get me wrong; it will still get driven regularly, but I figured “why not” 8)

 

[B21]

I had a couple of Laverdas, a 1200 Mirage and then a Jota 1000 180 which I put in a Saxon frame…

The Duck 900 was then the last Italian one I ever had..

Should have had it mounted on a wall as a piece of art…

Actually, I’ve created a space for the Duc in my living room, accompanied by a piece of crushed/crashed carbon on the wall. Maybe not the most artsy, but it livens up the room a bit and adds a personal touch

EA048C98-78A8-4514-89C7-B99B9F6D8F2A.jpeg

Don’t get me wrong; it will still get driven regularly, but I figured “why not” 8)

Absolutely fabulous..memo to SWMBO…’I’ve been thinking…’

 

[grannyknot]

Actually, I’ve created a space for the Duc in my living room, accompanied by a piece of crushed/crashed carbon on the wall. Maybe not the most artsy, but it livens up the room a bit and adds a personal touch

Barty, you must be a single guy, I doubt any married man would get away with a bike in the living room.