DUCATI Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 BUILD Thread

[BMW Alpina]

Saturday Delivery from Mr. Postman just arrived :

From Addiction Motorsport in UK (buy through their eBay store), the Aluminum Front Brake Caliper Spacer in 17mm and 18mm.
For this 2 sized, they only offer in Aluminum and not Titanium, at least in their website and eBay store, beside I purchase this only for "TEST FIT" and I will try to find the right size in Titanium (or custom made).

So if you are using FGR300 forks with 320mm diameter rotor, the spacer thickness is 12mm, which mean for our 330mm caliper the thickness should be 17mm. But just in case and since this aluminum spacer is not expensive, I decided to buy 18mm too just to be sure.
Also, I don't want to custom made a Titanium version now because I am not 100% sure if the newer version of the FGR300 forks (should be available by this November at EICMA, Milan show) will have the same mounting distance requirement.
So, I rather wait.

17mm set on the left, 18mm set on the right


Notice they have the "bolt hole alignment notch" on both side of the spacers:

 

[BMW Alpina]

Today, the long awaited ProTi orders arrived, which mean I will be busy this weekend



Some other parts also arrived today:
Rizoma mount for front turn signal (as part of the Rizoma Stealth Rear View Mirror), although unfortunately the Rizoma Stealth Rear View Mirror is still not arrived yet


And the AEM Cone Spacer in the correct "SILVER" color just like the one HKMP7 use on his wheel and below I compare it with the "Titanium"color that I mistakenly bought:


Then I test fit it to see how it looks like on my bike with the Bronze Marchesini Magnesium Wheel, so the current Gold AEM Cone spacer on the left and the SILVER AEM Cone spacer on the right:




And I think for my Magnesium Marchesini wheel, the GOLD AEM cone still provide more contrast so I will keep the gold AEM cone. However, please note that the SILVER AEM cone is a new production because there is AEM laser marked logo on the 3 o'clock position while the older production GOLD AEM cone does not have any AEM logo on it at all.
I also plan to purchase BRONZE, and RED AEM cone on my next order, just to see if they can looks better than the current AEM GOLD cone, after all they are only around $25 each so it is a cheap experiment

 

[BMW Alpina]

Of all the ProTi bolt that I waited the most from this ProTi shipment is a single bolt for the Radiator Drain Bolt.
Previously, I replaced the original radiator drain bolt with a Blue color ProTi, but as time goes by, I prefer to replace it with a Gold color version.
and It arrived yesterday, the M6L12-OTB02.

Here are the Blue ProTi bolts which I replace with the Gold ProTi bots comparison pictures:

(note the BLUE ProTi bolts on the picture above was not tightened fully yet).
The problem is, when I tightened the Gold ProTi bolts, the stock Rubber Gasket that originally came with the radiator from Ducati were SQUEEZED and looks UGLY. I am sure it will not be leaking but I want it to be PERFECT...
Also note, I only tightened it to 5Nm but using Loctite since I can't find any torque spec for this drain bolt from Ducati Service Manual. The only thing that is close was from the old 999 service manual which specify 8Nm... but I worry 8Nm might be too tight so I just use 5Nm but combine with Medium Loctite.

So what make the Rubber Gasket Squeezed like this but not with the stock drain bolt?
Well simply because the diameter of the drain bolts picture below:


Stock is ONLY 13.43mm while ProTi M6L12-OTB02 have 14.45mm head diameter. The smaller head of the stock bolt allow enough space for the rubber to expand in uniform manner when squeezed by the stock bolt.

So, first thing first, I contacted Ducati Omaha to buy replacement Rubber Gasket because Ducati FAILS to list the Rubber Gasket and the Stock Drain Bolt on the official spare parts catalog:

I sent the diagram above to Ducati Omaha and mark it with RED Arrow so Ducati Omaha understand which parts I am talking about since it was not described on the diagram.
Ducati Omaha replied about 2 hours later informing me that they also can NOT find that part which mean it can only be sold TOGETHER with a NEW Radiator...
Well, someone at Ducati Part# must be sleepy when they prepare this diagram. I understand that Ducati source the radiator as an assy. from their supplier, but still it should be available for sale since replacing coolant is part of regular maintenance.

So, this force me into researching the right material for the gasket with the right size...
I compare Neoprene, Buna, EPDM, Neoprene and Vitton. Initially I want to find Vitton but can't find them in flat gasket ring format, only in O-Ring format...
so my second choice was EPDM due to their higher operating temperature than Neoprene and I am lucky enough to find the exact size although it was describe in imperial units instead of metric units
Seriously, USA needs to move to metric standard on everything, this will simplify everything... yes there is a large upfront cost, but in the long run, it will save cost in everything engineering related...

So, the correct size (in metric) is 13mm OD, M6 ID and 1.5mm thickness for the EPDM gasket and available on Amazon as
Black Rubber Washer 1/2" OD x 1/4" ID x 1/16" Thickness - EPDM Rubber Washers Flat Rubber Washers Round Rubber Washers
and here is the LINK: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0848KDJ15/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A38XDPYJQKINSW&psc=1

Now, the second thing that I need to do is find a different ProTi bolts with slightly smaller head but still near the stock 13mm diameter head and I found: M6L13-OTB03
which have 13mm diameter head just what I need and 13mm length (1mm longer than the stock length of 12mm)
Problem is, it could take another month before I received this ProTi bolts, so ... I am now thinking whether I should just fill the radiator with coolant now to perform the test leak so I can install the throttle body (if there is no leak),
but this means I will have to refill with a new coolant when I have the correct ProTi bolts next month... or just wait next month until the correct ProTi bolts arrived...

I am not sure,... but at least for now, I have other things I can do to my bike this weekend so stay tune for further WEEKEND UPDATE

 

[MaverickiB]

It's odd because my bike (2018 V4) doesn't have a rubber gasket for that drain bolt at all .

It's likely it was there at first, but a service tech likely lost it at some point. I didn't start working on my bike all by myself until after I had it for a year or so. That being said, just the bolt + "tool tight" torque has never had any leaking issues whatsoever at any point. Usually have to unscrew it quite a ways (over halfway at least) before any fluid starts to leak out.

 

[BMW Alpina]

It's odd because my bike (2018 V4) doesn't have a rubber gasket for that drain bolt at all .

It's likely it was there at first, but a service tech likely lost it at some point. I didn't start working on my bike all by myself until after I had it for a year or so. That being said, just the bolt + "tool tight" torque has never had any leaking issues whatsoever at any point. Usually have to unscrew it quite a ways (over halfway at least) before any fluid starts to leak out.

Thank you for the information MaverickiB,
It is also good to hear that a "tool tight" torque is enough to hold it even with the vibration from your track use because I was worry 5Nm is not enough.
But then again, when I test by doing it by hand without the torque wrench(like you), and later confirm with torque wrench, I feel 5Nm is plenty enough (about the same as "tool tight" that I am used too). So your experience confirm it is tight enough. Thanks again.

 

[HKMP7]

They can contact Ducati to get it added to the fiche. I had to do that with one of the rubber pieces for the tail section. There's no way you have to buy a radiator in order to get the drain bolt. Sounds like they were being lazy.

 

[BMW Alpina]

TGIF and since it is Friday, no reason why we should not doing something a bit "overload"... well not drinking but ProTi overload

So, I noticed the 3 bright stainless spacer holding the radiator expansion reservoir can be improved, plus on the right picture below, I notice the ProTi bolt that I used was poking outside the captive nut:


Which mean a ProTi Titanium Washer is PERFECT, before picture on the left and AFTER picture on the right:


Then time for the Right reservoir:
Left before, and right after:


Then, it's time for the Center Bolt that hold the Superleggera V4 Carbon Radiator Frame to the Main Bike Frame:
Before on the left picture and after on the right picture:




Next step is another ProTi bolts that I had been waiting for a while. These bolts are for the small M4 thread holes on the Rear Ohlins DU468 TTX-GT shock for holding the Potentio Meter. I never like to see it have exposed threaded holes that can collect dirt and grimes (if somehow, someday I ride this bike ).
I was thinking of installing a Potentio Meter, but then I decided against it, still the hole need to be PLUGGED, so as usual a nice Light Gold ProTi Titanium Bolts will be suffice
Problem is, one of this bolt is located behind (between) the Ohlins and the Motocorse bracket and there is no way to tightened it without removing the shocks, so I can't tightened the shock yet to the rear swing arm and this delay me from installing my exhaust and rear subframe back...
So I am relieve to see these bolts arrived today and here we go:

Before pictures on the left, after on the right (before I wipe the Blue Medium Loctite):


More pictures:


And also the bottom 2, Before and After:




Tonight (or tomorrow) I plan to replace the spring to a 90Nm spring rate using my new spring compressor tools... hopefully it will be easy

Then, I am curious on how Rizoma bracket to mount the front small turn signal (part of the Rizoma Stealth Rear View Mirror works), so I open the package and wow so many little hardwares:


And this is how you install the hardware, if you see my finger, those slots are for the wiring to pass through:


And as usual, Rizoma product looks beautiful :

 

[BMW Alpina]

It's amazing how the right tool can make my life easier

So I start by using 3M painters tape to cover most area on the Ohlins TTX-GP shock to prevent accidental scratch from the tool:


Then I assemble the Spring Compressor Tool that I purchased last week:


I use it to press the spring from the bottom of the shock and it's expose the stainless steel spring clip holding the lower perch of the spring, then with a bit more turn I manage to have more space and carefully pry out the stainless steel spring clip:


Then I take out the spring compressor tool from the ohlins shocks and I slide the original 95Nm spring out, right picture is comparison between 95Nm and 90Nm spring:


Why I choose the 90Nm spring, well here is my logic:
The original Ohlins stock EC rear shock also has 95Nm spring and when I sat on the bike (hmmm that was so long time ago like last year when my bike was still sit-able ) there is no sag at all, the 95nm spring was simply way too stiff.
I know the 2021 Panigale V4S now come with 85Nm spring, however, they are also have slightly different suspension geometry, more pre-load and thus higher seat position. In my case, I change the link to the AELLA link to make my bike lower so I can flat footed easily.
Thus, I don't want to go to 85Nm spring because that could make my bike too low when I sat on it, so I decided 90Nm spring is a good compromise.

And then I use the spring compressor tool again to compress the 90Nm spring so I can install the lower perch, slide the stainless steel spring clip and voila, its done and ready :


Yes, I can easily send the spring and the shock to a suspension shop to have them replace the spring for me, but it will cost at least $200 including the shipping cost maybe even $250. Plus, they are "PROFESSIONAL" meaning they need to work FAST so they can work on their next "client"...
which also mean, some scratch could happened etc. etc.
I bought this spring compressor for less than $200, so the cost is about the same, but the satisfaction of learning something new, and the MISSION ACCOMPLISH by finishing another project is PRICELESS
Very happy now

 

[BMW Alpina]

When I was a distributor of Aprilia in my country of origin, I often found wheel balancing weight lay down at the bottom of the wooden crate (for larger bike like the RSV Mille R) or at the bottom of the cartoon box (for smaller bike like the 2 stroke GP Replica RS125 and RS250), especially for bike shipped during the end of Q4 or early Q1 of the year.
This is because those bike were assembled during winter time and the cold air cause the adhesive on the wheel balancing weight did not stick properly and just fell off...
So, late at night when my showroom were close, I usually spent my time, balancing those wheel and put on new balancing weight. It's almost a zen like therapy for me, quiet at night and watching the wheel rotate until I finish balancing it
I also represent ValterMoto product and they sold a very nice manual balancing fixture.

Fast forward to present, I noticed my front wheel does not have any balancing weight at all. I noticed the rear wheel have little amount of balancing weight.
Now, I am hoping that my Marchesini Magnesium Forged wheel is so perfectly forged and the Pirelli tires were also so perfectly made that my front wheel and tire combo was somehow perfectly balanced so no need for balancing weight,... but I doubt this is true

So since last year, I had been searching up and down everywhere to find the exact balancing weight blocks like the one that came from Ducati factory because they looks so gorgeous and I want to make my bike looks factory balanced...
However I cannot find it. Today, I started a thread asking anyone who might have information on this Ducati factory balancing weight, and seemed like nobody had the information. Here is the thread: Anyone know where to buy this Ducati factory Wheel Balancing Weights?

So, I am curios and half jokingly search in Google using keyword Titanium wheel balancing weight, and a result show a very nice Hofmann balancing weight blocks so I decided to check their website, and just due to pure luck, turn out Hofmann also made a different style of balancing weight blocks that Ducati factory use !!!
I am so happy to finally find it, so I purchase the Hofmann Type 706 Chrome right away and hopefully it will arrive sometime next week:
Link to website: https://www.hofmann-powerweight.com/us/products/adhesive-weight-type-706-chrome.html



After that, I decided to also purchase a weight balancing fixture.
First I look at Pierobon and turn out they made one:
Wheel balance stand : Pierobon Frames - frames and accessories for motorcycle



However Pierobon doesn't seemed to have this in stock because you need to send a "REQUEST" to purchase this wheel balancer...

So I then remember, ValterMoto and I went to ValterMoto website and not only they have it in stock ready for delivery, they also have 15% promotion, so I bought it right away from ValterMoto, link below:
VMC Store - Rims Workshop Balancer



Plus the ValterMoto have adjustable feet with built in water-pass (air bubble) to check the flatness of the ground, not to mention, I used ValterMoto long time ago, so this is another trip down the memory lane

Then I noticed ValterMoto also offer a Captive Front Wheel Spacer, and since the price is right, I decided to buy it just to see how I like it: VMC Store - Front Rim Spacers


Hopefully, they also arrive right before long 4th of July weekend next week

 

[MaverickiB]

If you ever want Pierobon stuff, give Boulder Motorsports a call. They're the only US supplier for Pierobon as far as I know. Pierobon wouldn't sell me my subframe through their website but Boulder had one in stock and had it at my doorstep a few days after a short call.

 

[BMW Alpina]

If you ever want Pierobon stuff, give Boulder Motorsports a call. They're the only US supplier for Pierobon as far as I know. Pierobon wouldn't sell me my subframe through their website but Boulder had one in stock and had it at my doorstep a few days after a short call.

Thanks MaverickiB,
This is good information, I never knew that Pierobon didn't sell direct.

 

[MaverickiB]

Thanks MaverickiB,
This is good information, I never knew that Pierobon didn't sell direct.

Not to the US at least. I figured there would be more than one supplier in the US, but Boulder is the one and only. Kinda odd.

 

[BMW Alpina]

Small mid-week update,
Mr. Postman just delivered the Hofmann Wheel Balancing Weight and the Rubber Gasket for the Radiator Drain Plug:

 

[BMW Alpina]

I want to share EXCITING NEWS from Motocorse Italy

Motocorse Italy will launch several new parts for the Panigale V4 (and some will fit Streetfighter V4 too) including:
a. REAR SETS (for sure it will be available in GOLD color, don't ask how I know )
b. LOWER TRIPLE CLAMP (Yoke) available in Silver, Black, Gold, Red ,Blue color.
c. BILLET SIDE STANDS available in Silver,Black, Gold, Red, Blue color and I have a feeling that there will be a slightly used BLACK Superleggera V4 side stand for sale soon... ahem @HKMP7 ahem
d. CLUTCH COVER (I am not clear whether this is for the WET clutch or for DRY clutch)
e. BILLET rear brake oil reservoir kit integrated on the pump (Silver, Black, Gold, Red, Dark Green color)

So if you are thinking of buying any of the parts above, you might want to hold on a bit until you see the MOTOCORSE version

 

[BMW Alpina]

Today is Ohlins TTX-GP install day because a "secret skunkworks project" being done at this moment by DUCATImodified.com forum CNC resident expert (you guys can guess who is the MAN ) is very close to spectacular completions.
I will reveal "OUR MAN" and his SKILL soon, but in the meantime, I better prepared my Ohlins TTX-GP

So first, I heard that removing the single screw that hold the plastic knob of the pre-load adjuster was very hard, and this is what I did today:

Protect the aluminum area with 3M painter's tape and hold it using a vise with a RUBBER insert to further protect it:


Then I use LARGER wrench to have more torque to remove the center bolt, and turn out it is NOT hard at all, well it must be the LARGER wrench and right picture is after I remove the plastic knob:




To my surprise, the Bolt that came from Ohlins was very short bolt compare to the replacement Motocorse Japan DBT Design bolt, so I might have to cut it later but maybe not :




Then I install the Ohlins TTX-GP onto the bike and tightened the lower and upper bolt/nut to 54nm (don't forget Gadus Grease B as usual , per factory service manual)
Notice how nice those 2 small ProTi Gold bolt that cover the holes prepared if using POTENTIO Meter, I love them, look much better than 2 uncovered thread holes, plus it add some "jewellery"



More picture show the threaded holes for potentio meter on the top area also covered by the small ProTi bolts, also notice that if the background is gold, the bolt is Titanium Silver and if the background is silver, then the bolt is gold




Also, on this picture you can see that I was very lucky that when I tightened the upper ProTi mounting bolt to 54nm, it also align the wording FFR and ProTi on the bolt marking to be exactly at 12 and 6 o'clock




More pictures below:






Like, I said, we are NOT done yet with DUCATImodifed'ing The DU468 Ohlins TTX-GP rear shocks so more coming soon

 

[BMW Alpina]

Finally able to install the Motocorse REAR Subframe upper bolt and plug set today (the Carbon Fiber rear subframe cover hole opening need to be trimmed which I did a few weeks ago), and here are the pictures:

 

[BMW Alpina]

I test fit the Motocorse Side Plate this evening, starting with the right side first, and I also install the Motocorse Swing Arm Axle Plug as well


However, I can install the right side Ducati by Rizoma rear set right away because turn out, the Rizoma came with some kind of extra bracket that I need to remove since it is now hitting the SC-Project WSBK exhaust piping, below is the pictures showing the bracket:


Then the LEFT side:



I think the combination of Motocorse GOLD Side Plate above with the Ducati by Rizoma Silver Rear Set is already super nice, but... imagine if the rear set also become Gold color by Motocorse
I think they will look even better, hopefully Motocorse can start shipping those new rear set soon so I can buy them


Below is the pictures of the original Ducati V4R stock CARBON FIBER heat shield (under the rear subframe right above the Ohlins and the exhaust manifold). on which I add several Gold Motocorse Bolts and ProTi Bolts to provide nice "eye candy" effect
not to mention, the plug for the O2 sensor that came from SC-Project WSBK exhaust also have light gold color, so everything looks "in line with the theme"



Now, I am replacing the Ducati by Rizoma oil plug cover with the Motocorse JAPAN Titanium High Polish Oil Plug with Motocorse logo (by DBT Design). Motocorse Italy also made similar Titanium oil plug but they don't have Motocorse logo on it, so the Japanese version is much nicer:



Notice they even DRILL the side of it to make it lighter:

 

[Andy7]

The consistency of that gold throughout the bike is amazing, very nice Howard. And brilliant contrast of the rearsets and frame plates.
I wasn't too bothered with my basic plastic oil plug until now... That polished Motocorse piece is stunning!

 

[BMW Alpina]

The consistency of that gold throughout the bike is amazing, very nice Howard. And brilliant contrast of the rearsets and frame plates.
I wasn't too bothered with my basic plastic oil plug until now... That polished Motocorse piece is stunning!

Thank you so much Andy ,
Talking about gold... I have some more gold today, which is the Ohlins Gold
So, I test fit the Ohlins Knob to adjust the rear spring pre-load using ProTi Titanium SILVER color bolt for maximum contrast and it looks like it fit quite well.
I was worry it would have clearance issue with the Termignoni Silencers, but turn out it is quite free and clear:





The only issue I saw was the CABLE for the adjuster is very close to the Titanium Pipe of the SC-Project WSBK exhaust itself, (left picture), so I will add GOODRIDGE Heat Jacket (right picture):


Here is another angle:


Oh, also to make it more outward a bit to give space for the upcoming Ilmberger Carbon Fiber Lower Tank Cover (which I painted with Ohlins Logo ), I use Stainless Steel Spacer to move the entire knob assembly further outward:


Don't forget the BLACK Plastic Knob of this pre-load adjuster will be replace by a MOTOCORSE Bilet Aluminum one soon

 

[Brooklynv4]

Man I have to stay off this forum . Your attention to detail is phenomenal