900GTS build...
- Thread starter Vacant Possession
- Start date
Hmmm... I wonder if brown was their interpretation of Amaranth. I had to look the colour up to find out what it might have looked like, sounds to me like a pinky purply colour. I do seem to remember a purple with the same kind of finish as the green/blue but it might be my memory playing tricks on me.
Magnesium Speedline wheels have arrived back from crack testing, stabilisation and refinishing. I am exceedingly pleased with Steve of TPCS's work, I think they look absolutely fantastic...
Jan Biggelaar has received the engine parts back from the vapour blaster and polisher, engine building starts this week. It is going to be one handsome GTS engine...
and...
and...
One of the heads awaiting rebuild...
Magnesium Speedline wheels have arrived back from crack testing, stabilisation and refinishing. I am exceedingly pleased with Steve of TPCS's work, I think they look absolutely fantastic...
Jan Biggelaar has received the engine parts back from the vapour blaster and polisher, engine building starts this week. It is going to be one handsome GTS engine...
and...
and...
One of the heads awaiting rebuild...
Remember these?
and...
Look what just turned up!
Re hard-chroming carried out by Dynasurf UK Ltd and Titanium Nitriding carried out by Reactive Suspension. Cost all in 125 + 170 + p&p + VAT, funnily enough about the same as a pair of new standard stanchions; They may not be your cup of tea, however the coating has a lower coefficient of friction enabling the forks to be more supple & responsive (I hope). Never mind the quality, feel the bling!
Perhaps my original picture of what I am building will now make sense.
I have already fitted the steering head bearing to the lower fork yoke, so now all I need are the swinging arm mount ally converters to allow me to mount my Metmachex swinging arm and I can build the rolling chassis!
and...
Look what just turned up!
Re hard-chroming carried out by Dynasurf UK Ltd and Titanium Nitriding carried out by Reactive Suspension. Cost all in 125 + 170 + p&p + VAT, funnily enough about the same as a pair of new standard stanchions; They may not be your cup of tea, however the coating has a lower coefficient of friction enabling the forks to be more supple & responsive (I hope). Never mind the quality, feel the bling!
Perhaps my original picture of what I am building will now make sense.
I have already fitted the steering head bearing to the lower fork yoke, so now all I need are the swinging arm mount ally converters to allow me to mount my Metmachex swinging arm and I can build the rolling chassis!
Glawster
New member
The contrast in the re-finished parts is amazing. I have to say VP, you don't hold back when it comes to doing a proper job!
I've just trawled through the 900SS blog. Fantastic story.
Next I'll do the Elco Darmah, but I need a lie down first.
If anyone's after a GT1000 I've just listed mine on Ebay. It's an absolute beaut and great to ride, but I think it'll have to go as it's making the GTS look even worse..
I've just trawled through the 900SS blog. Fantastic story.
Next I'll do the Elco Darmah, but I need a lie down first.
If anyone's after a GT1000 I've just listed mine on Ebay. It's an absolute beaut and great to ride, but I think it'll have to go as it's making the GTS look even worse..
They don't know my telephone number; Would I rather a call centre in the Far East had my telephone number and used it as often as they could to ring me during tea, frolick, meetings or any other time I haven't mentioned to sell me things I don't need or want or ask me questions, or would I rather receive a call from Classic Bike?
Hmmmm... tricky one, that.
Always nice to be noticed ;-)
Thanks!
Martin's blog is more of a blog-novel which is entirely in character; The difference between Martin's build and my own is that Martin does *everything* himself. Respect. I have done as much as I feel capable and able.
Good luck, nice bike. Is it this one?
I would love to see some pictures; Why in the back of the garage? The road beckons...The 900gts lurking in the back of the garage is a original Black & Gold
the engine is in the spare room
cp14bob
New member
Was never one for taking photos
I run the big ends beating up a 750 Honda up and over Glen Ogle sized solid when i stop'd luck or what
found a missing piston circlip damaged bore and piston and a lack of oil
slowly re-building engine piston /cylinder /big ends/ mains /the rest of the bearings etc
mine had 750 cams in it to thats how i got a good price guy could not get it to run spitting out carbs and exhaust
he had used timing marks i used a degree disc and worked from opening and shuting times (ran great)
now on gts cams
It sounds like you were indeed lucky! Could have been really quite nasty.
Identifying the problem was no mean feat, hardly obvious. Sounds like you got a cracking buy and I hope the build goes well.
When my engine was stripped, the horizontal cylinder had an 860 cam installed, but the vertical cylinder had a 750 cam installed just to make life interesting.
Identifying the problem was no mean feat, hardly obvious. Sounds like you got a cracking buy and I hope the build goes well.
When my engine was stripped, the horizontal cylinder had an 860 cam installed, but the vertical cylinder had a 750 cam installed just to make life interesting.
I have been waiting for a few things to happen, hence the long silence.
To be truthful, having just one bevel seems to be like having triplets that absorb all of your time, so perhaps I have been reticent on account of re-committing to yet another soak of time (& money).
Today's arrival got me excited so here she is in all her glory...
I found it at The Brew Shop and now I can scrub out the inside of my fork stanchions and build the front forks!
I got rather distracted whilst I was there and the best bit is I can clean off the brush and use it to clean things for my Christmas brew of Festival Old Suffolk Strong Ale. Might as well make the most of it.
Engine is finished.
To be truthful, having just one bevel seems to be like having triplets that absorb all of your time, so perhaps I have been reticent on account of re-committing to yet another soak of time (& money).
Today's arrival got me excited so here she is in all her glory...
I found it at The Brew Shop and now I can scrub out the inside of my fork stanchions and build the front forks!
I got rather distracted whilst I was there and the best bit is I can clean off the brush and use it to clean things for my Christmas brew of Festival Old Suffolk Strong Ale. Might as well make the most of it.
Engine is finished.
October update...
Whilst I have been quiet, things have been happening. This is where I am now:-
Things that need doing apart from assembly:-
I have to nip out to the Netherlands to pick up the engine, I am hoping to go in a couple of weeks. I have already posted photos of the early part of the build and although I might have reposted a couple of my favourites, the following are some pickies of the latter stages of the build.
The bottom end, those are Godden Engineering's own con rods. Beautiful.
Refurbished 32mm carbs...
All polishing & cleaning done...
Blurry picture of inside the alternator cover showing the oil pump installed. If you look, you can just make out the full flow oil modification installation.
Crank in...
Lower bevels & blocks being fitted. Those are Wiseco 88mm high compression pistons, giving the bike a capacity of 905cc; Cams are standard and there has been no gas flowing or fiddling otherwise. Carbs will need rejetting. I am hoping this bike will be more of the same, a GTS engine with more bite but with the same (charming IMHO) characteristics...
Lower bevels & blocks done.
Yummy Nova Engineering straight cut primary drive gear set installed, underneath the gear is the Silent Hektik electronic ignition installed.
Clutch installed...
Engine complete, left side...
Engine complete, right side...
Leftovers...
And remembering...
Before & after left hand side...
Before & after right hand side...
And last but not least, Jan Biggelaar's comments on the engine...
'I dont aspect any problem with building the engine,but I never saw such a dirty and bad engine to recover .'
Derek might disagree
Whilst I have been quiet, things have been happening. This is where I am now:-
- Engine complete (pickies below)
- Chroming done - no pickies yet as they are complete but not yet paid for/with me
- Wheels ready
- brakes ready.
Things that need doing apart from assembly:-
- seat recovering
- manufacture of swinging arm support bushes - swinging arm is a Metmachex alloy arm designed for an SS; i.e., no requirement for eccentric adjusters in the frame à la GTS. I need simple alloy bushes drilled for a 10mm through bolt. The Metmachex *does* have eccentric adjusters - at the wheel end
- tank & side panel painting
- Side stand spring procurement
- Clocks refurbishment
- installation of modern ultra bright LED's in dash
- H4 HID kit procurement
- Final assembly parts procurement (stuff like chain & sprockets, battery, clock boots etc.,).
I have to nip out to the Netherlands to pick up the engine, I am hoping to go in a couple of weeks. I have already posted photos of the early part of the build and although I might have reposted a couple of my favourites, the following are some pickies of the latter stages of the build.
The bottom end, those are Godden Engineering's own con rods. Beautiful.
Refurbished 32mm carbs...
All polishing & cleaning done...
Blurry picture of inside the alternator cover showing the oil pump installed. If you look, you can just make out the full flow oil modification installation.
Crank in...
Lower bevels & blocks being fitted. Those are Wiseco 88mm high compression pistons, giving the bike a capacity of 905cc; Cams are standard and there has been no gas flowing or fiddling otherwise. Carbs will need rejetting. I am hoping this bike will be more of the same, a GTS engine with more bite but with the same (charming IMHO) characteristics...
Lower bevels & blocks done.
Yummy Nova Engineering straight cut primary drive gear set installed, underneath the gear is the Silent Hektik electronic ignition installed.
Clutch installed...
Engine complete, left side...
Engine complete, right side...
Leftovers...
And remembering...
Before & after left hand side...
Before & after right hand side...
And last but not least, Jan Biggelaar's comments on the engine...
'I dont aspect any problem with building the engine,but I never saw such a dirty and bad engine to recover .'
Derek might disagree
Last edited:
Glawster
New member
Wow, that really is an astonishing transformation and I'm already thinking I'd better get the polishing done professionally as there's no way I'm getting that level of finish on my engine parts.
Some points / questions..
- I have a sidestand complete with spring which you are welcome to. Of course it's been botched but the spring still works. Unfortunately my steel bits are already at the zinc platers, but I will take it in for plating when I pick the bits up...if you need it of course.
- Seat Cover. I want the standard look and I understand that the best quality / price option is from Road and Race in Australia. I'm pretty sure that's where Mdina sources his, but they are cheaper from Australia. First I'm going to ask RK Leighton his opinion as he did a great job on my 250 seat. Certainly I'll get him to refurbish the base and recover it.
- Carb cleaning / refurb. I'm yet to do this. I'd like someone to ultrasonic clean and replace all the seals and gaskets. Who did yours?
- Clocks - I have Veglia clocks. I assume they work but I haven't tested them. They look ok but need the chrome bezels replacing. If you know somebody to do this please advise.
- I'm sure I'll need to put in a new ignition system. I see you have the Silent Hektik system. Is this also suitable for electric start engines? I see you dispensed with the starter ring so I guess it may be a different system?
Some points / questions..
- I have a sidestand complete with spring which you are welcome to. Of course it's been botched but the spring still works. Unfortunately my steel bits are already at the zinc platers, but I will take it in for plating when I pick the bits up...if you need it of course.
- Seat Cover. I want the standard look and I understand that the best quality / price option is from Road and Race in Australia. I'm pretty sure that's where Mdina sources his, but they are cheaper from Australia. First I'm going to ask RK Leighton his opinion as he did a great job on my 250 seat. Certainly I'll get him to refurbish the base and recover it.
- Carb cleaning / refurb. I'm yet to do this. I'd like someone to ultrasonic clean and replace all the seals and gaskets. Who did yours?
- Clocks - I have Veglia clocks. I assume they work but I haven't tested them. They look ok but need the chrome bezels replacing. If you know somebody to do this please advise.
- I'm sure I'll need to put in a new ignition system. I see you have the Silent Hektik system. Is this also suitable for electric start engines? I see you dispensed with the starter ring so I guess it may be a different system?
Wow! that was some response. I'll do my best.
I do have some links to carb cleaners and I'll look them up - when I have fed the clamouring family their Shepherds pie. Done. Links are:-
I don't know *any* of them but was thinking along similar lines re: my 40mm carbs, hence the research. Comments/endorsements welcome.
FX: Phew!
That's a really kind offer, thanks Derek. I do have a sidestand, it is the spring I am missing but Andrew@Mdina has them.
I understand. I was wooed by an eBay seat cover P & K Seat Covers and I'll get a place in Brighton to do the covering so it stands a chance of looking good.
Jan Biggelaar - I sent the carbs off with the engine. Jan did a great job but it was poor use of a masters time ;-) Knowing what I know now, to save money I would strip & clean them myself and have them vapour blasted by someone who has some mechanical sympathy. Some of them blast every square millimetre even when you ask them not to; I'll post an example elsewhere which trashed a set of lower bevels.
I do have some links to carb cleaners and I'll look them up - when I have fed the clamouring family their Shepherds pie. Done. Links are:-
I don't know *any* of them but was thinking along similar lines re: my 40mm carbs, hence the research. Comments/endorsements welcome.
I have a query on this in the main technical section I put up today. I won't comment as I have already received some useful help and I don't want to steal their thunder.
That is just me - I changed the primary drive gears; As far as I know Silent Hektic will fit and work fine with an electric start engine. I can't yet vouch for it as I haven't yet run the bike, but I am looking forward to it.
FX: Phew!
Last edited:
Paintwork...
I guess you all know I won't be following exactly what Ducati pushed out, however I do like the general look.
This is the colour & finish I am going for...
It comes from Outrageous Colour and is applied in a similar manner to the orginal - translucent over silver. Hopefully modern paint and a fantastic paint shop will give it a depth and look it never had in the showroom.
The paint is CD-7007 Brilliant Colour Dye Green over GC-6040 Brilliant Sparkling Aluminium
GC: Ground Coat
CD: Colour Dye.
I can't wait.
After thinking long and hard about the black & gold build, as long as I can receive the backup & support I think I have a right to as a customer (the word 'respect' springs to mind) I will go back to Classic Cycle Works. His paintwork really is deep and lustrous and I think it should look something like this when done...
I guess you all know I won't be following exactly what Ducati pushed out, however I do like the general look.
This is the colour & finish I am going for...
It comes from Outrageous Colour and is applied in a similar manner to the orginal - translucent over silver. Hopefully modern paint and a fantastic paint shop will give it a depth and look it never had in the showroom.
The paint is CD-7007 Brilliant Colour Dye Green over GC-6040 Brilliant Sparkling Aluminium
GC: Ground Coat
CD: Colour Dye.
I can't wait.
After thinking long and hard about the black & gold build, as long as I can receive the backup & support I think I have a right to as a customer (the word 'respect' springs to mind) I will go back to Classic Cycle Works. His paintwork really is deep and lustrous and I think it should look something like this when done...
ducatipaddy
New member
Its funny when these came out in the green and orange i hated them but now........I have a complete change of mind. I think with modern bike looking so bland anything that goes to the other extreme is great
I know what you mean, I was not a fan then; The Marmite of motorcycling.
Now I am looking forward to riding it more than the SS. Which might have something to do with being stiff, old & knackered ;-)
I can't wait for someone to tell me it is not desmo or not a real Duke because it isn't a Desmo; I haven't yet thought of a good riposte to that one. Not that I care as it will be mine, all mine
Now I am looking forward to riding it more than the SS. Which might have something to do with being stiff, old & knackered ;-)
I can't wait for someone to tell me it is not desmo or not a real Duke because it isn't a Desmo; I haven't yet thought of a good riposte to that one. Not that I care as it will be mine, all mine
Last edited:
ducatipaddy
New member
Well you could always say it is Desmo actually and unless they have an allan key they will never know...or just tell them you have a couple of Desmo's at home but you save the GTS for special occasions
and unless they have an allan key they will never know...or just tell them you have a couple of Desmo's at home but you save the GTS for special occasions Yes, I think the GTS is my favourite - and I am not sure why.
(Lack of) Progress
I have been skewered by the kids, heating oil purchase and a number of other items so I haven't done much; Plus Autumn has arrived and my garage floods (thanks, ground workers!). The engine is finished and sitting waiting for me in the Netherlands, the chroming is finished and sitting waiting for me in London and the tank & side panels are sitting waiting for me to paint them.
With all this lack of ability to do anything, I have been dreaming...
About colour.
I am hoping you members can help; Here is a list of available colourways for the GT/GTS:_
Bodywork Colour Stripe Colour
Pearl Orange Black
Red/Orange Silver
Black Gold
Pearl Light Blue Silver
Amaranth Black (Colour used for Glacé Cherries)
Green Scotland Silver
Blue Silver
Pearl Green Silver
I have no intention of slavishly following this and I will be using a translucent candy over silver, so which one...
I am going to put up a post of some candy colourways, each in its own post and see how many Thanks each post receives. I absolutely love these late sixties/early seventies candy colours and finishes and I am wavering over my original choice. I have really fallen for Amaranth/silver, amaranth being a (pink) flower whose colour is often represented as a slightly pinky cherry red, please let me know what you think.
So please Thank the ones you like. Then I can quickly tot up the results. I might ignore them but I will appreciate and think about the feedback.
For reference and far better examples of colour, please have a look at Specialist Paints and Outrageous.
I can see myself in my cheesecloth shirt, platforms and in those days, hair posing with the bike. No, scratch that - it's just too horrendous a thought
I know what I am doing with the rest of the bike, the die is cast.
It might get a Darmah dash to start with, not sure about that yet. The Veglia's on the SS are living up to their name and I really do like to have at least a rough idea of what RPM the engine is doing.
I have been skewered by the kids, heating oil purchase and a number of other items so I haven't done much; Plus Autumn has arrived and my garage floods (thanks, ground workers!). The engine is finished and sitting waiting for me in the Netherlands, the chroming is finished and sitting waiting for me in London and the tank & side panels are sitting waiting for me to paint them.
With all this lack of ability to do anything, I have been dreaming...
About colour.
I am hoping you members can help; Here is a list of available colourways for the GT/GTS:_
Bodywork Colour Stripe Colour
Pearl Orange Black
Red/Orange Silver
Black Gold
Pearl Light Blue Silver
Amaranth Black (Colour used for Glacé Cherries)
Green Scotland Silver
Blue Silver
Pearl Green Silver
I have no intention of slavishly following this and I will be using a translucent candy over silver, so which one...
I am going to put up a post of some candy colourways, each in its own post and see how many Thanks each post receives. I absolutely love these late sixties/early seventies candy colours and finishes and I am wavering over my original choice. I have really fallen for Amaranth/silver, amaranth being a (pink) flower whose colour is often represented as a slightly pinky cherry red, please let me know what you think.
So please Thank the ones you like. Then I can quickly tot up the results. I might ignore them
but I will appreciate and think about the feedback.For reference and far better examples of colour, please have a look at Specialist Paints and Outrageous.
I can see myself in my cheesecloth shirt, platforms and in those days, hair posing with the bike. No, scratch that - it's just too horrendous a thought
I know what I am doing with the rest of the bike, the die is cast.
It might get a Darmah dash to start with, not sure about that yet. The Veglia's on the SS are living up to their name and I really do like to have at least a rough idea of what RPM the engine is doing.
Last edited:
Pearl Light Blue...
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
Last edited:
Green...
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
Last edited:
Lime Green...
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
Last edited:
Royal Blue...
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
Last edited:
Supposed to be orange, you'll have to use your imagination...
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
Last edited:
Purple...
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
Last edited:
Amaranth...
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
Last edited:
Pink...
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
So please Thank this one if you like the colour. Thank is in the bottom left of the grey bar of this post.
Last edited:
