St4s conversion to "poor man's" 851 or 888 ?

Gren

I'm about to embark on this project, having learned a lot from this forum - thank you all.

Could you please recommend a fairing supplier; preferably one that people have experience with.

Thanks in advance, Gren

rxs51

ts

Presumably inspired by the project in Practical Sportsbike magazine?

Viper1

rxs51 wrotePresumably inspired by the project in Practical Sportsbike magazine?

Any chance of sharing that magazines web page?

Marcoboxer

http://www.practicalsportsbikesmag.co.uk/magazine/

Also available on Newsstand if you happen to be an iPad abuser.

m

rxs51

Not sure if they have an actual website but subscription info is at www.greatmagazines.co.uk/psb
tel 01858 438884

There is also a facebook page: facebook.com/groups/practicalsportsbikes

The 851 build is up to about episode 5 now but I think you can get back issues if you want to catch up

Gren

rxs51 wrotePresumably inspired by the project in Practical Sportsbike magazine?

I'd not seen the mag, but have since heard about it. I'd seen lots of 851/888 pics and, having an ST4s, my imagination went into motion. Then I found an article on here, but with no pictures due to a site crash: http://www.ducati851and888.com/showt...51-ST4S-hybrid

I think I've got an outline of how to do it (I want to avoid frame mods if possible) but I'd better look at the magazine article too.

So, back to the fairing question.... who do you guys recommend (or suggest I avoid) ??

Cheers, Gren

hauge

I used ricambi weiss on mine:

I spendt endless of hours to make it fit proper....
So not my first choise!

dididucdich

I have used Ricambi at my 888 too, its a cheap option with medium quality.

Gren

Thank you both, the prices look good and the results appear fine to me. Hague, that is some seriously nice paint !!!

Any thoughts on ARD; they say theirs fit perfectly ?
http://www.ardracing.com/ducati.html#h2qONGMM1kdC

sagot

Try these guys:

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/ducati/851-888_1992-94.htm

Or

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/ducati/888CORSE1994.htm

also very good:

http://www.sharkskinz.com/888.aspx

marvin

The Airtech that I had for my VFR were made of polyester resin which doesn't crash well. Sharkskins are made with epoxy resin which is much better.

docandy

Gren wroteThank you both, the prices look good and the results appear fine to me. Hague, that is some seriously nice paint !!! Any thoughts on ARD; they say theirs fit perfectly ? http://www.ardracing.com/ducati.html#h2qONGMM1kdC

The ARD fairing panels are of the earlier pre-'92 851 type. The lower edge of the large air vent was a different shape from '92 onwards. The ones on Hague's bike look like the earlier shape. Ricambi Weiss have the later design. They are thinner and lighter than the ARD ones, and have a better finish on the inside. The upper attachment points for the V-piece are absent.

Gren

docandy wroteThe upper attachment points for the V-piece are absent.

This is great ! Thanks everybody for the info, I would never have found this out, except the hard way !

docandy, could you please just clarify which maker you are referring to in that sentence.

Cheers, Gren

docandy

Gren wroteThis is great ! Thanks everybody for the info, I would never have found this out, except the hard way ! docandy, could you please just clarify which maker you are referring to in that sentence. Cheers, Gren

Neither make has those attachment points (pre'92 bikes didn't have a V piece). The ST4S has the engine 15mm further forward in the frame than the 851/888. If you fit 888 fairing panels so that they line up correctly with the engine, there won't be sufficient clearance with the front wheel to fit the 888 V piece anyway. The ST4S V piece will fit comfortably inside the 888 fairing panels, however.

Gren

That's brilliant info ! I'd read, in your thread, that a 900ss front fairing bracket is the way to go because of the 15mm difference. But the V-piece issue is something I'd never have known.

I'm still rebuilding the ST4s having bought it after an accident. It's a runner, but whoever "repaired" it was utterly useless - hopefully I'll do better. So the plan is to get it running properly and put a few miles on it this summer. Then over the winter strip it and do the conversion. So any extra information that people recall or find will be greatly welcomed.

I'll document the build with plenty of pictures as I go. This will serve two purposes, one to help others in future, and the other, so that you guys can give me a nudge in the right direction when I make a cock-up of something ;-)

Thanks again, Gren

sagot

marvin wroteThe Airtech that I had for my VFR were made of polyester resin which doesn't crash well. Sharkskins are made with epoxy resin which is much better.

True Dat!!
Sharkskinz crash real well!!
I know! 🙁

Gren

I'm still gathering parts and information for this project .... I'm not one to rush in ;-)

I was wondering if the ST4s frame would be the best starting point ? I've bought an 851 type swing arm with rocker mounts to get the right (looking) rear suspension setup. My frame will need mods to accomodate the 851 rear sub-frame and rocker-arm. Would it be easier to start with a Monster frame, to reduce the cost of modifications ?? Are there other factors to taek into account.

Any other ideas on this project would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Gren

sagot

The original Monster had the 888 frame and a 900SS engine so the frames are closer in that regard...

brad black

i think the st4s frame would be by far the best starting point.

not with the 888 swingarm tho. just use the original. it's better.

BABA

I had have a pic of an Italian ad, but I don't find it anymore in my pics collection.
I found it was a good idea to ride a "888" on track without a second thought.

It was a track bike made from an ST4S, with an entire 888 body (monoposto) and high mounted exhaust system.

Rather successful aesthetically (it looked rather well finished) and not too expensive.

For a road bike, I had found this one (an ST4) years ago (may be here ?? don't remember)