Brake light switch on DB1

[froryde]

Anyone know how the front brake activitates the brake light? Can't seem to find any switches at the lever? Is there a pressure activated switch somewhere?

Plan on switching brake masters, so would be nice to know. Thanks!

[ian43]

There is a pressure switch mounted on the front of the lower triple clamp. I seem to recollect that it has the same thread as the pressure switch used on the VW Beetle.
Ian

[froryde]

Ian,

Thanks!

Phil

[quadrasuarass]

Originally Posted by froryde

Anyone know how the front brake activitates the brake light? Can't seem to find any switches at the lever? Is there a pressure activated switch somewhere?

Plan on switching brake masters, so would be nice to know. Thanks!

What masters are you thinking of going too, I would be interested to know as I have similar ideas. I was looking at 916 style as I like the look of them and they will match up nicely to the 32/34 4 spot Brembos currenlty in the parts bin.

[froryde]

Thinking of the new Brembo RCS radials - I like the adjustable leverage feature plus it's not stupid money. Might get the matching clutch radial if I can get a good deal

If you're interested, let me know and will see if I get a better deal.

[quadrasuarass]

Originally Posted by froryde

Thinking of the new Brembo RCS radials - I like the adjustable leverage feature plus it's not stupid money. Might get the matching clutch radial if I can get a good deal

If you're interested, let me know and will see if I get a better deal.

I'm a little way off on this one, the bike is currently in "kitset" form. What started out as a cleaning exercise a few months back has got a bit out of hand. Akront wheels have been done with the hubs in a candy apple and the rims polished. Fork lowers are currently at the powder coaters and are about to get the same treatment, once they are back it will be off to the white power man for some progressive springs; then I would like to get onto the master cylinders. Would still be interested to know your source and or price for the RCS gear; could be a nice Xmas present.

[froryde]

Wow - that sounds like quite a project! Can't wait to see it when it's done!

Re: Brembo - let me see what's the best deal I can get and will let you know.

Would be interested to hear of your experience with WP as I am looking to update / upgrade my suspension as well. I have contacted quite a few suspension tuners - Racetech, Maxton, Traxxion, and a few others in Oz - and so far only Racetech gave me the impression that are confident in working with the M1R forks.

I am based in Hong Kong, so if your local WP guy can do a good job with the forks, I'd rather send them to Nz rather than half way across the world! Will you be sending WP your shocks for a rebuild / revalve as well?

Cheers,

Phil

[quadrasuarass]

At this stage I've only spoken to the WP rep here, a very helpful chap by the name of Ray Clee (NZ superbike champion). WP do a specific fork spring for the DB1 M1R (~NZ$300 for a set which seems quite reasonable.). I haven’t got around to talking about compression and rebound damping yet with Ray yet. I have down loaded a bit of info on the M1Rs and there is a modification to the existing damping that can be made to improve things. There is also the option of gold valves and finally WP cartridges. If you check out the link below there is someone selling a Maxton kitted set of M1Rs (note the WP markings) he had built for an 851/888; you will find interesting comments about cost in the thread as well. The draw back I see here is these cartridges are retained in the top of the forks where the Clutch and Brake reservoirs would normally screw into on the DB1; I don’t want to messing with this area as those items are part of “the look” for a DB1. Gold valve sound like a good compromise once set up properly. Ray mentioned WP would be keen to look at a modern rear damping unit with high and low speed compression and rebound damping, This with progressive springs should rid the bike of it’s tendency to hop over sharp bumps (as in buck from the rear)

http://www.ducati851and888.com/showthread.php?t=643

Check out the attached if you don't already have the info.

Happy to talk some more, plan on getting in touch with Ray again in about 4 weeks (it's a budget thing).

Cheers.

[froryde]

OK - after checking with my bud, I can them get them at AUD400 for each (clutch and brake are the same price). Interested? Let me know.

Do you know if the Marzocchi shock is rebuildable or not? I think I might end up going with Traxxion or Racetech - they seem more eager / confident.

[ian43]

Maybe I can jump in here. Gowanlochs told me years ago that the alloy bodied db1 rear shock has the same internals as the Marzocchi PVS-1 steel bodied shock used on some other bikes. Marzocchi are apparently not a reliable supplier of spare parts. I had a firm in Queensland rebuild my shock after it began leaking (dripping) hydraulic fluid. It is still good after some 5 or so years of use.
Ian