I've been looking for a bike to turn into a dedicated track machine and scored big time this weekend! I purchased a 2001 Ducati 748 that is in great condition with 22xxx miles on it and has been sitting in a garage for almost 2 years in non running condition due to a bad fuel pump and starter motor problems. Jelly alert, I paid $1500 for it! Never laid down and very clean for its age. I would like to strip it down electrically to the point of not needing a battery or starter motor and use its charging system to power the ecu, fuel pump and fuel injection systems. Is this possible? I know a lot of you here are mechanics and electrical wizards. Any ideas?
I personally haven't done anything like this, but I'd think at the very least you'd need a capacitor in place of the battery to have some stored charge for high use moments, otherwise you'll start burning stuff up.... in regards to the starter motor, do you plan on just bump starting it every time? Is it really worth the small amount of weight? Theoretically if you got the right cap you could run the starter off of it as well if it's a quick starting bike...
You would burn up a roller starter Motor and wear out tires the first year.... Pump needs to prime the motor before takeoff.... If you plan on Bump starting it I would advise you try any twin before going this route...
I would make it running and sell as is This isn't a good track bike IMO - v-twin - new battery $100 - new starter $ +$300 - fuel pump +$100 - def needs suspension refreshed +$350 - it's slow cost of your bike = around $2500 for $3200 you have a perfect track bike with Ohlins suspension and many other upgrades http://www.sttforum.com/showthread.php?t=15628 This is just mine opinion
you need the battery to set the target voltage for the regulator. with no battery it will over charge and smoke the ecu around 20 volts. Lead acid battery's are cheap get them at autozone or napa for less than 100 dollars
Just spent about an hour talking with a guy who does Ducati only salvage and he agrees that unless I was a serious racer, removing the starter would be ridiculous. Hey, who here doesn't drink a few beers and start thinking crazy shit? LOL! He hooked me up with the parts I need at very reasonable prices and I'm looking forward to getting this together. I fully understand that this bike will not be as good as my 2013 zx6r but I'm a hobby rider on a budget. The trade off is getting out of the loan and insurance requirements that comes with it and having a bike that is easier to swap tires on while at the track. I don't think anyone can argue with that! This will also give me more money for track time in the long run. I have ridden enough track time to realize that I'm a mid pack I group rider, have no reason to believe that I will ever ride to the potential that either of these bikes are capable of and am fine with that. I do this for fun and I'm sure the Ducati will be just as fun to ride, after all, I started this venture into trackday riding on a 2012 CBR250R and had a blast on it! See some of y'all's at Grattan this weekend and thanks for the replies....
See you at Grattan a cheap disposable bike is a great investment. Depending on how clean and nice it is you may want to look at selling it and buying a bill of sale bike with some aftermarket suspension. there has been a few great deals starting to pop up already this season
It's clean enough that I certainly could flip it and make some money by going that route but I'm already giving up my bought brand new 2013 zx6r. I think that having this bike for the cost is a good trade off for me. Everyone has their personal preferences and I think this is one sexy looking machine and it puts a smile on my face when I sit on it and see the quality of the triple clamp/clip ons and controls. The feeling of the seating position says it'd suck on the street, it looks and feels more like a purpose built race machine. I found a very nice guy who does Ducati only salvage parts and got a fuel pump, starter motor, keyless gas cap assembly, and a spare rear wheel for $338 delivered to my door so the myth that parts are crazy high priced and hard to find is busted! I will miss my zx6r for sure but this bike feels special to me already. I went from how much money could I make off of this great deal to why wouldn't I keep it for the price paid. I appreciate the advice but this ones a keeper! :nod:
I've been working on her all day and am happy to report that with 21,706 on the clock that the rockers are not flaking, Woo Hoo! Have parts coming in the mail tomorrow and have a few more pieces I'm machining for it and should have it ready for TrackFest next month. People keep telling me I'm gonna hate this bike compared to my zx6r but I'm already in love with it! Why all the haters? LOL! :bounce:
People always hate on us Ducati lovers! Haven't done a single track day yet without at least someone saying something negative.
I'm on some other forums as well and I've already experienced a lot of negative comments. Haters gonna hate I guess but that's okay, I'm with vickystoyboy on the idea that as long as you're having fun, who cares! :cheers:
If I made it through one track weekend and not been told I need a 600 and should ride Michelins. I would start Wera racing.... I ride a gen3 zx10r (no traction or abs) Also your guy's clutches hurt everyone's ears
I won't argue about the clutch noise, don't care much for that myself, lol! I don't know why some people feel compelled to tell you what they think you should do but it happens. I just take it in stride even when I feel the need to defend myself because I realize that it's not worth it. I pay a lot of money to do this for my own personal enjoyment so as long as everyone respects each other out on the track, I'm good.
