The 996 project...

[92cobra]

Well, I have purchased my first Ducati or should I say Ducatis about two weeks ago and have been trying to figure out what to do with the bikes.
I ended up picking up a 99 996 complete with 13.3k but in pieces and a 99 748 with 3.4k in more pieces. The difference is the 748 does not have a frame, but comes with everything else. My idea is that I cannot afford to buy a new streetfighter like I would like to, well I could but my wife likes to travel and she seems to have the final say so.
So, I decided that I would build my own streetfighter based off this platform. so over the next couple of months, I hope weeks I am going to turn this into my own streetfighter.
Here is what I am thinking of doing.
1. I purchased a nice running low mileage 996 engine to swap out the current non-running one. Much cheaper than a rebuild.
2. Sand blast and powdercoat the frame Ducati red.
3. Paint the fuel tank either black or white.
4. Sandblast and powdercoat the wheels black.
5. Try and fab up the newer streetfighter tail section to the 996 frame.
6. Put a 2010 Ducati streetfighter headlight on this bike, but retain the oem guages if possible.
7. Freshen up everything and get it back in running order.
8. Figure out how to run the air ducts or go with some aftermarket ones. I saw a pod filter setup on google for the throttle bodies, but I didn't feel to confident with them.
9. Put handles bars on for a more comfortable ride.
10. Hopefully sell off all the parts I don't use/need to help fund the project. I have offered them to a friend first but if that falls through they will be up for grabs.

I have attached some pictures to show what I am working with.
Wish me luck guys and gals!

Thanks,
David

[Harry]

Hi David,

Sounds like a fun project!

Good luck and I look forward to following your progress, please post plenty of pics.


Cheers,

Harry.

[juan1]

wow are you going to sell the extra 748 parts or keeping everithing

[ww321q]

I'm just wondering what's wrong with the 2 motors that you have ? The guy I got my bike from was thinking about doing a street fighter or a 1198 corse look alike and wasn't sure. When he took the 916 motor in they pulled a head and changed a bad valve , set the clearences, and installed belts for aroung $700. That's still a lot cheaper than any used 996 motor that you may get . I'm just thinking that what you have may be better to use. Should be a fun project for sure and you will know your bike very well by the time you are done ! Can't wait to see the progress

[92cobra]

Originally Posted by juan1

wow are you going to sell the extra 748 parts or keeping everithing

Try to sell it all that I dont need. Need anything?

[92cobra]

Originally Posted by ww321q

I'm just wondering what's wrong with the 2 motors that you have ? The guy I got my bike from was thinking about doing a street fighter or a 1198 corse look alike and wasn't sure. When he took the 916 motor in they pulled a head and changed a bad valve , set the clearences, and installed belts for aroung $700. That's still a lot cheaper than any used 996 motor that you may get . I'm just thinking that what you have may be better to use. Should be a fun project for sure and you will know your bike very well by the time you are done ! Can't wait to see the progress

Your right...but I poped the throttle bodies off the 996 motor noticed some rust on them and the guy had the motor sitting out uncovered so water got down into the engine and it looked milky. The 748 looked a little better but i don't want to take any chances. These are for sale if anyone would be interested in them?
I'm looking forward to knowing this bike inside and out by the time I'm done with it.

[92cobra]

Well, I have a few more pictures to update the progress of the build. I ran into a small stumbling block when I tried to remove the famous "swingarm bolt" that was seized on the metal bushing on the left side. After I whacked my left hand while trying to hold an extension, I found that I hit it enough to give me enough clearance to push the motor down past it and then the engine slid out. I then proceeded to heat the bolt and that didn't work so I decided to just cut it. I have a spare.
This weekend hopefully I will sand blast the frame and send it off to the powdercoater.
I am thing of doing the frame and wheels black. I am still pondering the swingarm but we will see.
I also got my fresh motor Ducati Scotties House of Speed in Vancouver, WA.
things are moving well and will update later.
Oh, I almost forgot. I am about to post a bunch of parts for sale so if anyone is interested let me know.

thanks,
David

[92cobra]

I just wanted to give everyone an update on things around here with the bike.
I got the frame and wheels back from the powder coater and they look great! I am really satisfied with choosing the red frame over going all black. The wheels came out great but I was hoping for a little more gloss on them but they still look great. I put new bearings in the front wheel, upgraded to tapered bearings in the steering stem, and picked up an 848 rear subframe that I am going to be mounting. I did decide to go with the 848/1098 tail section because it seems to suit the undertail exhaust better and it is way cheaper to buy than the streetfighter stuff.
the hard part I have noticed is the subframe is 20-25mm wider at the top mounts and the lower is 5-10mm at the lower. I think I will just find or have made some metal sleeves to bolt the upper in place and then just heat/bend the lower mounts.
Right now I am also trying to find a small enough battery to relocate to under the passenger seat or somewhere out of the way without having a conflict with mounting the ecu. Any ideas guys/gals?
Does anyone know if any of the monsters upper triple tree will mount to the 996 forks so I can put some handlebars on it?

Big THANKS to everyone who bought parts off of me to help fund this project. I will be posting up another for sale add when I go through what is left b/c I still have a bunch of stuff.

Thanks,
David

[RedSubmarine]

Looking good 92. Keep us posted on the progress. Like I said before, I've always thought this bike would be a great naked bike, just never had the guts to mess with mine

And thanks for the part, it's exactly what I was looking for!

[cbrider09]

good luck with the project! keep us posted