Desmo Challenge Tail Installation

[Steve C]

This is the continuing saga of modding the new to me 08 Hyper that started with this thread:

Newbie to the List with Modaholicism

I ordered a Desmo Challenge Tail a week or so ago from Chris "C2D" with the R6 Integrated tail/turn combo and wiring harness.

Here's what came in the big well packed box:
[IMG][/IMG]

Once I had all the bolts out of the OEM tail, I located the tail/brake light connector and unplugged it:

[IMG][/IMG]

Then came the Turn and Tag Light Connectors, I labeled everything per Chris' suggestion in the instructions:

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

I slid the Desmo Challenge tail into place and with all the wiring stripped back I used some clip leads to connect all the wires so I could test all the pairings before I soldered everything up.

[IMG][/IMG]

I verified that everything worked, Here's the tail light and one of the signals on:

[IMG][/IMG]

Once everything was verified I cut all the leads to length and soldered, taped and applied heat shrink tubing to all the splices.

[IMG][/IMG]

Then came mounting the tail to the subframe, I took and old mini phillips screwdriver, sharpened the end and bent it at a 45 degree angle so I could mark where to drill the holes from the bottom.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Steve C]

Next I used a pin drill from the bottom to pre-drill the holes:

[IMG][/IMG]

I then opened up the holes and mounted the tail to the subframe:

[IMG][/IMG]

Next was installing the seat hold down bracket. On my bike I had to elongate the holes in the bracket so the seat was in the proper relationship to the gas tank/side covers, I also used shorter bolts, the OEMs went all the way down to the the subframe tube below.

[IMG][/IMG]

The OEM bracket has slotted holes, so I imagine there are difference from bike to bike.

[IMG][/IMG]

Here's the installed tail, not too shabby for an few hours work. Just needs a little Duc Red and she'll be ready for prime time.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[johnchypermotard]

looks molto cool ... but the blue painters tape covering the fork reflectors looks dorky

loose the fork reflectors

[Steve C]

LMFAO, man I haven't gotten to the front of the bike yet, been too busy with the arse end!!!!!!!!!!!! Those damn reflectors sure screw up a flash photo, that's why the tape's on there...................

[merovingian]

Very nice, good write up.

[chandler]

when are we going to hear the exhaust ?

[Steve C]

Thanks Mate, she's getting there. Hopefully I'll be painted by next weekend and I can start putting some miles on her before the Ducati Days event at Virginia Int'l Raceway. I plan to ride the Hyper one day and the GSXR the other. Should be an interesting comparison.

[Steve C]

Dunno, guess I could upload a short vid to YouTube or ???? I should have the kitty kat eliminator on it by next weekend too, hoping it's now going to be too loud. May have to put the dB killer back in, not sure. I know it's already louder than the GSXR 750 in my avatar and the dB killer is out of it too and of course no kat, it's a full Yoshi system.

[chandler]

of all the ones ive heard the kat doesnt make that much difference. i ask becuase i have a dual exit tri oval off a 2000 gsxr 750 but id have to shorten it. right now my hyper has cored pipes but i think it sounds like crap.

[Steve C]

Ya, I'm with you, I didn't care for the sound of the OEM cans, not bad mind you but not great either. I would think the GSXR can would work fine, shortened or not. The SC Project and Termi cans are pretty long. I'm going to mess with a set of 2-1-2's this winter, if all goes well.