Jafa wroteThis is not aimed at anyone in particular here, but between this forum and a couple of others I frequent I've had an absolute gutsful, and am on the verge of not bothering to continue to document the rebuild any longer. I'm sick to death of all the knockers constantly trying to cut down the people ( not only here but car forums and other non-automotive forums too ) that take the considerable time and money to do a rebuild / restoration properly and thoroughly, and document it fully for the enjoyment and education of others, and as a future reference, instead of the she'll be right, close enough's near enough attitude a lot of people seem to take these days. Just because you aim for mediocrity doesn't mean I, or others, do. I'm not made of money, I don't have the time or room for a rebuild of this magnitude, and I didn't buy the bike with the intention of rebuilding it, but what I got was not what I was sold and now I'm stuck with it. I've had this pile of shit for 18 months, no prick in Perth can even do a half decent paint-job on the god damn frame, no one else is even remotely interested in looking at the forks, and then the few people I thought might understand my frustrations say I'm too anal! Well would it make you happy if I dumped the whole lot out on the road and emptied the petrol tank over it and set the whole f#*king lot on fire???!!!!! Because that's been looking like a pretty good option lately. I've f#*ken had it with this heap of shit, I've never even ridden the thing because the fuel pump fuse was blown when I got it and I can't find another one the correct rating, the swingarm was about to fall in half, and everything else has been butchered by previous owners!!
I know Mr R can build a higher hp motor than my bike has ( because he reminds everyone every time anyone is stupid enough to ask anything about an engine ), and I know that his cobbled together backyard bitza handles better than my stock SP3 ( which he also constantly reminds all in sundry about ), and you know what? Good on him, but I don't give a flying f#*k. I bought mine because it was the pinnacle of streetable performance motorcycles in its' day, and because it represents a bygone era of the top street bikes being a lot closer to the factory race bikes than todays' offerings.
So let me put it this way: if I wanted a useable classic for all weathers and roads, I would have bought a strada, not a limited edition SP. As it happens, I have another bike for hacking around on in the rain and crap, that's why I bought the SP, to have something a little special for nice sunny Sunday country blasts with a few close mates on their equally rare machinery, that's the start and finish of it. At the end of the day, it's my bike and I'll build it how I want to. So if you can't cope with me trying to return the bike to as close as I can to as new condition and doing a proper and thorough rebuild, don't bother reading this thread, no one is forcing you to, and I won't loose any sleep over it.
To those that do offer constructive comments, and help and support, it is appreciated and I thank you.
Over and out.
Hi Jaffa, carry on with your rebuild the way you want and keep up with the documenting, not everybody on here is an expert, if only one person gleans a little knowledge from your experiences on the rebuild then its all been worth it and you will have a bike to be proud of regardless of how long it took. Most people have a budget and it takes time to get things right.
I smile a lot at the comments posted by certain Brits on the forum and knowing them as I do take a lot of their comments with a very large pinch of salt so don`t take them to heart. I do ride my bikes in wind and rain and across continents (countries anyway) Iv`e put my MHR on a Ducati display stands after 1600 mile 2 day ride and fellow members were OOH AAHing the MHR towards the end of a rebuild, never started, never ridden, mine was lambasted because it had the wrong colour forks and the fairing spray job was not up to scratch. Don`t even think about showing a Ducati in the UK unless it is 100% original, it does not matter if it`s ridden or not you will be judged on the colour of your fairing washers.
I moved to Spain a few years ago where the Ducatis I ride here always provoke positive comments no matter what they look like, the spanish just love their bikes.
This week with the IOM TT the comments will be kept to a minimum from certain members but I am sure there will be a tale or two to be told when they get back.
Carry on regardless,
Paul
