Subscribed! Looking forward to learning more about your bikes and obsession!

 

Nice collection.

You might not want to hear this but I would work to get any "R" model back as stock as possible or at minimum gather up the parts to do so in the future. That said I would take the non-stock parts and have great fun with the standard 999 making it whatever you want. These bikes are very cool bikes and even the Terblanche haters have to admit they have aged well , most will secretly tell you they do like them now. in looks and design I would happily take one over a "New Ducati" though some day the new bikes may grow on my as the 999 did with time.

 

Nice collection.

You might not want to hear this but I would work to get any "R" model back as stock as possible or at minimum gather up the parts to do so in the future. That said I would take the non-stock parts and have great fun with the standard 999 making it whatever you want. These bikes are very cool bikes and even the Terblanche haters have to admit they have aged well , most will secretly tell you they do like them now. in looks and design I would happily take one over a "New Ducati" though some day the new bikes may grow on my as the 999 did with time.

Both 999R's are far from original before purchase and the main reason I went for exactly those bikes. The price was as expected for a non-original bike and the original parts are long gone on both. Making two original R's what I want them to be was out of the question as I don't want to tear mint ones apart so these were just the perfect bikes for me. I would have used the S versions as a base if it wasn't for the fact these were already way past the point of no return. I have always had a personal preference towards custom and making it yours and not keeping it original. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing but love for people liking their bikes original, but it's just not for me.

Small fun fact. The first bike I looked at before buying my Nero was sold with the fairings from my new 999R back in 2017. Small world.

 

Guess we know where all the R models are in Norway now, I think you may have an addiction sir.

 

So, you named your black bike uh, Scarlett?

 

I did indeed, after Scarlett Johansson playing Black Widow. The plan was red race fairings for track use but well, other bikes happened.

 

Started off with changing the clutch slave cylinder. The stock one is certainly made exclusively for Hafþór Björnsson so it had to go. Opted for a nice red LE Pramac Racing version from CNC Racing. Works like a charm and still love the look of it. The old one was nasty looking and filled with gunk so good to have that sorted.

After that I changed out the cheap Chinese grips with some great looking Rizoma grips. Sadly they were more form than function and while I like the look of it I'd never fit them on anything but a cafe racer for looks. Put on some matching Rizoma bar ends also. Needs some adjusting to line them up perfectly.

Also switched out the stock clutch pressure plate with a better looking red one.

 

Following. I adore my 05 999S in Nero!

 

The bike came with old Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tires. I hate these tires profile with a passion so they had to go.

Put on some Pirelli Diablo Rosso III and the difference was night and day. When the tires was off I used the opportunity to polish the wheels.

Believe it or not, I actually managed to ride the bike between the work done also. Here's a picture from a pretty neat old gas station in Kongsberg, Norway.

Loving the new tires. Currently debating which ones I'm going to be putting on my 999R that I will post more about later. That bike also had some 2CT tires on it when I got it and that's no bueno.

Shortlist is currently Rosso III, Rosso Corsa and Supercorsa. Leaning towards Rosso Corsa as I will be mainly using the bike on the road with shifting weather. Planning on bringing it to the track as much as possible but things are still a bit uncertain in regards to COVID.

 

The bike came with old Michelin Pilot Power 2CT tires. I hate these tires profile with a passion so they had to go.

View attachment 998381

Put on some Pirelli Diablo Rosso III and the difference was night and day. When the tires was off I used the opportunity to polish the wheels.

View attachment 998382

Believe it or not, I actually managed to ride the bike between the work done also. Here's a picture from a pretty neat old gas station in Kongsberg, Norway.

View attachment 998383

Loving the new tires. Currently debating which ones I'm going to be putting on my 999R that I will post more about later. That bike also had some 2CT tires on it when I got it and that's no bueno.

Shortlist is currently Rosso III, Rosso Corsa and Supercorsa. Leaning towards Rosso Corsa as I will be mainly using the bike on the road with shifting weather. Planning on bringing it to the track as much as possible but things are still a bit uncertain in regards to COVID.

I have the Rosso Corsa's on my R... they are amazing tires, provided they are warm. I cannot stress enough how important that last bit is... Seriously.

 

Ha ha, the 2CTs are great.

 

I'm sure the tires are great if you like the shape. I personally don't enjoy the V shape and quick turn in. 100% personal preference and not a dig at the quality of the tire itself.

 

I'm loving that hybrid, yet to be named, R.
It's got a killer exhaust and I love that it's all red without any number plates.
I'd go with the stacked intakes on the nose of the '03/'04 bikes, but that's just me.
I was one of those who took a long time to come around to the looks of the 999, but now, when done correctly, like Isabella, I think they're hot AF!
Anyway, now that Isabella is gone I'm looking forward to following your 999 builds.
On a personal note, I'm pleased this is coming from Norway. My mom grew up in Bergen and I've spent a fair bit of time there and in Geilo where my grandparents had their cabin. Heya Norge!

Oh, big thumbs up for the Rosso Corsa 2s. Fantastic sporting road tire imo

 

Thank you for the kind words. Happy you will follow the content now that Isabella is gone. I'm already looking forward to jusutus next Hypermotard project. I'm sure it will be at the same level or beyond. The content will mainly be of the yet to be named R and Mia, the bike that hasn't been revealed yet. Scarlett is mainly archived photos and the start of my journey so I thought that would be a good place to start out.

Cool to hear you've got some Norwegian heritage and have visited us here! Geilo in the winter is absolutely awesome if you like to ski/snowboard! 😍

I'll put down one vote for the Rosso Corsa 2s then. 👍

 

Didn't really like the stock 36T sprocket when repeatedly getting stuck in traffic as I live in the city so decided to switch it out with a 42T Supersprox and a new chain.

Also decided to get rid of some of the stock plastics and add some more carbon.

Finished most of the easy aesthetic mods now so next post will involve upgrading some of the most costly components.

 

Beautiful bikes! If you don’t mind me asking, what is that container of red fluid (oil?) above the clutch slave?

 

Thank you! It's a Scottoiler that automatically lubes the chain while you ride. Do not recommend it at all. Was fitted on the bike by the previous owner and it's an oily mess. Been planning on removing it actually.

 

Thanks for the write up. I will very much enjoy following your posts. I have 2002 998, but it was seeing and hearing a 999 in person that really made me want to own a Ducati.

 

What do you have in mind to get Riley sorted?

 

Have to get the speedo sorted. Not showing the correct speed after the SSSA swap so got to sort that out. I'll throw in some teaser pics of some parts also.

 

Time to dive into some more mechanical upgrade on Scarlett. Was really unimpressed by the stock Sachs steering damper so decided to switch that out.

After some shopping around I ended up deciding on the Hyperrace steering damper kit from Wilbers. Really happy with both the looks and performance.

 

After getting caught out in the rain a few times I quickly experienced how slippery the stock rear sets are when wet. Spent a long time looking around at different alternatives to find someone that stood out and the choice finally landed on Valter Moto Type 3.5. Loved the look and adjustability. Can confirm feet are no longer slipping in the wet as these pegs are grippy as hell.

Installation was quick and easy and I'm really happy with the end result.

Always nice to supplement the carbon with some titanium. 😍

 

Those are amazing looking rear sets! Never heard of them before
Love how compact and simple they are as well as how grippy the actual pegs look
Very nice overall. Too many rear sets are needlessly complicated imo

 

As this subs most beautiful 999S, Isabella, has been dismantled I felt the need to provide some new content for the people that loves the 749/999 range.

Lets just start off with this disclaimer. I don't really have much experience in build logs and the likes. I'll do my best and hopefully improve along the way. If not, hopefully the pictures will be enough to enjoy the thread.

I'll try to update along the way but as the bikes are a bit spread out in winter storage at the moment it will mainly be some archived pictures for now.

So, the bikes. Lets start with my 2006 Ducati 999 Nero, Scarlett.
It was my first ever bike, bought in 2017, and the reason I fell in love with Pierre Terblanche's beautifully design superbike. It has IMO aged like fine wine and I my love for the design has only grown since I first set my eyes on one.

View attachment 998318

The focus in the start will probably most be on this bike from my archive.

My second bike is a 2006 Ducati 999R, Mia. The name is pretty fitting as the bike is still, well, MIA. It had some small issues that the seller arranged to have fixed. Then covid shutdown came and it's still a bit in limbo, but will hopefully be sorted in the near future. So until then, Mia will be a bit of a mystery for you guys but I'm sure it will be worth the wait!

While waiting for Mia, I accidentally bought a third bike on impulse while watching Moto2. The bike came up for sale and I just had to have it, so I jumped in my car and drove down, looked it over quickly and bought it on the spot.
It's a 2006 Ducati 999R with a SSSA conversion, 1098 Öhlins front forks and more. I have yet to find a fitting name for this bike but I'm sure it'll come to me as it has with the others.

View attachment 998319

So yeah, as you can see, I kind of have a 999 addiction. Hopefully I'm not alone in loving these bikes and I hope someone will find it interesting to follow.

Im with you!!! I bought a second 999 this year, not an R but one I plan to dissect and use to the learn valve adjustments and for parts. 999 for ever

 

Not a big fan of the cheap Chinese levers that came with the bike. Not really a place I want to save money considering the potential consequence of a broken brake lever so those had to go.

After a lot of looking at different alternatives the choice fell on a pair of levers from AEM.

Not to bad looking if you ask me and more carbon is always welcomed with open arms!

Really happy with both the aesthetics of them and the feel of the levers. The adjusters on them on the other hand turned out to be far from ideal. Vibrations loosened the screw enough for me to almost lose the one on the brake lever while riding. Just blind luck I saw it hang lose and managed to fasten it again while riding. Talked with AEM and was advised to use threadlock on them. Kind of defeats the purpose of adjustment so not too happy about that solution. The levers themselves can be fitted straight to the 19RCS Corsa Corta Master Cylinders I plan on putting on the bikes so that's an acceptable compromise at least.

 

My plan was doing a monoposto conversion next on the bike so bought in subframe, rear cowl and all other needed parts. Before I could start on the conversion I ended up buying another 999R on impulse. Combined with the bike I'm waiting on that makes 3 999's. That's sadly one to many so Scarlett will have to go in the spring. From here on the focus will be on the two 999R's. Hopefully receiving the second one soon so I have enough time to comfortably prep it for the track before spring. In the mean time I have some things I want to do with the newest addition so I have something to wrench on either way!

Here's how the bike I'm selling off looked before parking it for the winter.

 

So, first order of business. Replacing the mismatched rear sets. The right side has Sato rear sets and the left has the original linkage and rear sets minus the foot peg. Test fitted the Valter Moto rear sets on the bike but because of the 1098 swingarm and custom made exhaust there's clearance issues on both sides. So either I'm gonna be looking for some alternative rear sets or I have to fit some spacers. Still haven't decided about which route to go here.

Second issue is the rear ball joint rubbing the carbon protector on the swingarm. If anyone has a link for some slimmer ball joints that would be appreciated. Might be just enough to clear it then.

 

Bought some new leathers yesterday. Hopefully the D-Air portion of the suit won't be needed but I like the safety of it in case I end up taking a tumble. Also added a teaser of Mia, the other 999R I'm awaiting delivery, on Instagram so if you're interested in looking at that there's a link in my signature to the account. You don't have to follow or anything to watch it.

 

Happy to say I'm now part of the exclusive club of people that will make Isabella live on through other bikes. Riley will be getting a new front axle and a black anodized side stand. Can't wait to fit it on. Think the black side stand will look great with the black lower fairing on the bike.

 

My late and very much loved uncle is the reason I fell in love with Ducs. The very few pics of myself from the early 80's are usually posing on his 900SS and whatever flavor of the month he had going at the time. He insisted on being different (to the letter) and of course, had a yellow 999S until the day he died. Still sits inside, still pisses everyone off when it gets turned over (full Termi system as you'd expect). Bliss.

I was forced to love the 999's and fifteen years down the track.. they speak for themselves.

Thanks for the thread.

 

Your uncle seemed like a wise man! Just my kind of dude! Glad you enjoy the thread! A yellow 999 is definitely on the wish list here also. Haven't seen one for sale in Norway in years.

 

Appreciate the input. It's for sure a valid point and something I will keep in mind. Will do some back to back testing between the two R's next summer and see if the feel is off or not. Haven't been able to ride it more than around 100 km home from the seller in the dark while it was raining so limited seat time so far to feel if everything feels good or not with the conversion.

Agree the swingarm on the later models is beautiful. In fact, as you say, the whole bike itself looks awesome without the fairings.

Would love the MonoR also. Absolutely beautiful machine!