Frame & Bodywork...
The bike and frame seemed to be in excellent condition if you ignore the corrosion; No tell tale bent steering stops or ground footrests.
It had a missing seat mount where I presume the weld had failed and it had just 'dropped off'. That was fixed immediately.
As it is a 900GTS it no longer has the handy pillion handle extension to the frame enjoyed by GT's and some GTS's. However it does have an aid to pulling the bike onto its stand in the form of a handle. I duplicated the mount to the opposite side so my bike will have two of these chrome handles which make nifty bungee attachment points and might be useful as pillion handles.
I had already decided what I wanted to do which was to only make additions that can be removed. Here is the plan:-
- convert to rear disc brake which means adding a rear master cylinder mount
- add pillion handles (explained above)
- add mounts for SS rearsets.
All done.
Oh yes! I wanted a silver frame. I am so bored of black everything, so without further ado here she is now:-
And the rear disc conversion mod & SS rearset mounts...
Now we get to the side panels; One was trashed as a previous owner had installed Lucas Rita. Eagle eyed readers will have noticed that the original Ducati Elettronica was still present in the engine in the last teardown picture.
So one side panel was history. Neither had been drilled for the IMHO rather naff plastic badges so FX: Phew! It will be receiving the correct 900GTS side panel decals.
On to the tank.
It was a mess, so bad, so corroded, so encrusted and so smelly we didn't think it would seal. So I took a decision to whip off the top and have it blasted; It seemed I had nothing to lose.
A close up before blasting...
Blasting and leak checking revealed a perfect tank. That was a complete surprise! GT's and GTS's are gifted with the most horrid fuel taps which incorporate an under-tank balance tube; The boss's were removed and replacements which accept Darmah, SS & MHR style taps were fitted. This is one GTS where the tank can be removed without jiggery pokery or draining the tank and reserve works properly. Tank work courtesy of Russell at RB Kustoms, Billingshurst. They are difficult to find but Russell is one skilled up dude - and good to deal with, 01403 741037.
The inside of the tank has been treated with
Fertan and is likely to get a Caswell sealant inside as well.
Fuel tap conversion...
Close up of replacement boss...
Had some NZ friends pop in tonight, we haven't seen them for about seven years so I popped my birthday present Gevrey Chambertin from my wife which means I am no longer able to continue ;-) Have a nice weekend, everyone.