Buy a part, make a part. - Ducati.ms

reynolds_brad · Jul 22nd, 2009, 8:04 pm

Hey Gents, so I haven't formally introduced myself in the HyperMotard section yet but I picked up my 08 S a little over a week ago used with only 930 miles on it. I'm now over 1700 miles and loving every bit of it.

Coming from past other bikes as a DRZ440SM, GSXR1k and GSXR750 the HM is a good fit for me. I also have to confess I have addictions with modding the living hell out of my past bikes and I also have been pretty deep in the Honda Monkey scene if any of you know what they are. So when I bought this one my first thought was that it really doesn’t need any mods, and now my current thought is cause I just cant help myself that I will make one part for every part I buy. Thus to keep myslef in check.

First thing was I bought an open clutch cover, so I ended up making a exhaust valve cover in carbon for it. Attached are some pics.
These first two are of the mold I made for the piece out of fiberglass and resin.

This is of the simple wet carbon layup in the mold. Decided to try skipping the vacuum bag and just do a quick and dirty.

And this pic is of it out of the mold trimmed and with the first coat of clear on it. The milkyness in the clear will settle, always does. I do plan to make another with a vacuum bag as there were two spots in the piece that lifted. Oh well, next one will be better.

Im a big fan of the 2X2 twill carbon and im actually pretty tempted to remake some of the stock carbon in two by two. Most of the pieces on the bike don't seem all that complex really. If your interested in the process of doing this kind of stuff I have blogged about it on my site here. http://honda50.com/?s=carbon

Here are a few other examples of my work that ive done with my monkey bikes over the years if you are interested.

http://honda50.com/brad/hardtail/DSCN6062.jpg
http://honda50.com/brad/ZB/Brads-9-2-08-5.jpg
http://www.honda50.com/brad/rides/USGP09/USGP09-7.jpg
http://honda50.com/WP/wp-content/upl...s-5-3-09-1.jpg

**vduc** · Jul 22nd, 2009, 8:18 pm

Very cool, and the monkey bikes are bad ass. I haven't done any carbon but a I've made a few fiberblass parts, nothing nearly nice as yours.

Congrats on the Hyper!

sick50ford · Jul 22nd, 2009, 8:48 pm

Very cool, another bay area hyper. It won't be long before you see a hyper as often as a gsxr on the road, not! I like the monkey bikes, they look like fun, well not hyper fun, but definitely a fun way to burn some gas.

hyperdookie · Jul 22nd, 2009, 9:57 pm

The first "motorcycle" I ever rode was a Honda 50 then graduated to the trail 70. Very cool little machines with the fold up bars and all.Welcome to the club.Those little Hondas have me feeling nostalgic.Think I'll go back to your site and see what's for sale.

Damn! I just did and there are currently none.

johnchypermotard · Jul 22nd, 2009, 10:27 pm

ciao brad -

are you friends with liam? he was/is big into the honda monkey bike scene.

btw, my first "real" bike (one from a real motorcycle manufacturer) was a honda mini-trail 50 ... i really miss it.

ciao,
johnc

reynolds_brad · Jul 22nd, 2009, 10:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnchypermotard

ciao brad -

are you friends with liam? he was/is big into the honda monkey bike scene.

btw, my first "real" bike (one from a real motorcycle manufacturer) was a honda mini-trail 50 ... i really miss it.

ciao,
johnc

Yeah long time friends with Liam.

MTScott2 · Jul 23rd, 2009, 7:27 am

I was at the " Garage's" Field Day , at Twin Creeks a Tractor Pull venue , and there was this little kid trying to start a mini trail getting frustrated , sos I gets it going for him and he is having a blast . The bike ended up at the Boys Club (my heated garage ) we cleaned it up painted it .I would bet at least a dozen kids took their first ride on it .You meet the nicest people on a Honda . That bike would not die . I recall seeing a 300 lb + guy on it going up a hill. Every body had fun on it.

reynolds_brad · Jul 23rd, 2009, 10:31 pm

sanded out the clear, polished it up and mounted it today.
Still going to make another as its got a few pin holes.

bmartinek · Jul 25th, 2009, 1:29 am

Very cool!

Where you at in SF, I saw another red hyper out in front of Toronado the other night, was that you?

**Da_Bull** · Jul 25th, 2009, 1:55 am

That's probably the stiffest piece of cardboard in the Bay Area ... reduce, reuse, recycle.