Ducati 998s FE Final Edition (REPLICA but MODIFIED FAR BEYOND the Original) Build Thread

[BMW Alpina]

Replacing more bolts/screws as usual:















Then check the code for the Bearing in the Marchesini wheels, and I ordered the Ceramic Bearings replacement:




Also test fit the spacer for the front disk brake rotors:


I can't wait to get the ceramic bearings, should be here soon...
But I already bought the tools to replace the bearings:

 

[PanigalePilot]

Replacing more bolts/screws as usual:

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Then check the code for the Bearing in the Marchesini wheels, and I ordered the Ceramic Bearings replacement:
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View attachment 11558View attachment 11559

Also test fit the spacer for the front disk brake rotors:
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I can't wait to get the ceramic bearings, should be here soon...
But I already bought the tools to replace the bearings:
View attachment 11562View attachment 11563

I am pretty sure the 1198/1098 bearings are one to get
No real weight difference
But the friction is chalk and cheese

 

[BMW Alpina]

I am pretty sure the 1198/1098 bearings are one to get
No real weight difference
But the friction is chalk and cheese

Hi PanigalePilot,

I used the Part# of the stock Marchesini bearing to find the equivalent ceramic bearing, and I ordered it from this custom ceramic bearing company: 6005 Hybrid Ceramic Bearings (25X47X12)

I ordered with all the most durable/strongest spec possible as shown in the screenshot of my order confirmation below:

 

[BMW Alpina]

Just like what I did today with the Motocorse side stand for my Panigale V4 25° Anniversario 916 project,
I decided to also apply a furniture rubber pad to my 998 side stands, so not only it protect from the ugly scratches, but also provide some damping effect:


I used Sharpie to mark the area and cut it to fit:

 

[BMW Alpina]

I purchased NCR brake lever a while ago, but it did not have the rubber stud where our shoe meet the brake lever.
So I have to purchase a new rubber stud from another rear set maker (I forget the name of this rear set maker now, but I am sure I posted on this build thread a few months ago).
Anyway, due to the design of the NCR brake lever, the ProTi bolt and Nut I am using to secure this rubber stud need aluminum spacer and I finally have everything so I assembled it.
Note: my Motocorse 1198 rear set also came with brake lever, but I just want to make sure in case the Motocorse design is not short/long enough for the 998 brake lever position.
This NCR is designed for 998 so it will be a good alternative (only if the Motocorse 1198 brake lever from their rear set kit don't fit properly):

 

[BMW Alpina]

The Ceramic Bearing for the front Marchesini Magnesium wheel arrived today, hopefully I can install it this weekend:

 

[BMW Alpina]

Today is bearing removal day, and here is the tool required:




You also need a strong wood base under the tool:


All you need to do is drive that sharp screwdriver-like edge into the wedge slit of the cylinder shape tool to pinch (out) the inner bearing race so you can hammer the bearing out:


From under the wheel it looks like this:


Then start hammering, and voila, bearing removed:



This are both sides without bearings:


Comparison between stock bearing and ceramic bearing:


Inner center spacer between bearing from Marchesini:


Today, I decided to wait until the Ducati OEM Inner spacer arrives sometime early next week so I can decide whether to use Ducati OEM inner spacer or the aluminum inner spacer from Marchesini above.

In the meantime, these are the tools to press fit the ceramic bearings:


and how it fit:

 

[BMW Alpina]

I measured the weight of the Marchesini inside (between bearings) spacer vs. the Ducati OEM version:




And also after considering the "design" I eventually decide to keep using the new spacer that came with the Marchesini Magnesium Wheel.

Below is before I install the spacer:


Inserting the spacer:


Spacer inserted:


Then heat up the area where the bearing will be seated:


Take out the bearing from the freezer:


Position it with the bearing insertion tool:


Hammer it down with rubber hammer:


Not enough so hammer it with steel hammer:


All bearings seated properly:


Next, time to install the Wheel RED Decal from 2023 Panigale V4S:


Use some hand clean soap:


Installed:




Time for the rear wheel:

 

[BMW Alpina]

Front and Rear Wheel:


But then I realized, these are NOT how the 2023 Ducati Panigale V4S sticker is located... I stick them a bit to the sides of the wheel... so I am buying another set of these RED Stickers and will "Experiment" a bit...
Having said that, they do lighten up the looks of the Silver Marchesini...

Next, time to install the front wheel speedometer mechanism:




Next adding the 5mm spacer since I will be using the RADIAL caliper so the offset of the Brembo T-Drive available for 998 is not enough (only 10mm) and it need to be 15mm thus the spacer:


Then install the Brembo T-Drive with ProTi titanium as usual:




Then test fit the Speedometer gear when I realized, the 5mm spacer made the ProTi titanium bolts on the Brembo T-Drive HIT the speedometer mechanism:


Well, this doesn't work...
So my solutions are:
a. Buy a 998R or 748R disk brake rotor with 15mm offset (so no need for spacer), but their center carrier/hat color is GOLD, and their design is not as nice as Brembo T-Drive
b. Brake-Tech made a 15mm disk brake rotor for 998R, but I don't like their PETAL design for the stainless steel rotor, and I don't want to have the STEEL/IRON version since they will rust (and come black coated)
c. There are some other brands, but all of them are PETAL or Wave in summary non of the design is good enough for me...
d. I can always forgo the speedometer gear and just use a spacer, but that means my speedometer will not work and I want my speedometer to work (if someday I ride this bike)

So, I decided to CNC machine a REPLICA of the Brembo T-Drive Carrier/Hat but with a 15mm offset so I can still have the Brembo T-Drive style...
I mean just look at the pictures below... the Brembo T-Drive just looks so nice:



Oh, this is how the speedometer cable is routed:

 

[BMW Alpina]

continue below:


Last, I install the Stator from 999 to the 999 Generator cover:







Oh... one more thing,
I also found a NEW but OLD STOCK Ducati Performance metal rear view mirror for 916 Generation that is just unique...
Most likely, I won't install it and use my Rizoma rear view mirror, but I just can't pass the chance to collect it:

 

[Andy7]

Wheels look awesome. That’s annoying about the spacing on the rotor bolts - no options for screws with flatter heads?

 

[BMW Alpina]

Wheels look awesome. That’s annoying about the spacing on the rotor bolts - no options for screws with flatter heads?

Thanks so much Andy
I checked, and even if I can find FLATTER head bolts, there is still contact between the speedometer gear and the surface of the spinning T-Drive rotor...

 

[BMW Alpina]

I managed to squeeze some time this weekend to ship all the remaining parts to my engine builder so he can start assembling it soon (He just returned back from 3 months of Winter Vacation).

First I compared the 999 Generator Rotor which is lighter than the 998 Generator Rotor, I mean the size differences are just huge:


Initially, I want to use the 998 Generator/Stator set because their cable is much longer, however, the stator did not fit the 999 Generator cover so I was forced to buy another new set for 999 and will use a cable extender.
Below are the pictures after I assembled with the K-Bike lighter flywheel and ProTi Gold Titanium Bolts:


Then install it to the whole Crankshaft set ready to be shipped to my engine builder:







Next preparing to ship the big bored Cylinder Block with those TiN plated Titanium Bushings:




Next, install the impeller for the water pump on the Generator cover... which will need this special tool below:


Because that special tools can fit the mechanical water pump seal perfectly. The picture below show the new impeller on the left with the next mechanical seal vs. the old on the right:


Put the mechanical seal onto the special tools and add engine oil:


Prepare to press:

 

[BMW Alpina]

And PRESSED:


Insert the impeller into the generator cover housing:


Need to use Titanium Spacer/Washer:


And locking circlip:


Install both Titanium Washer/Spacer and the circlip to lock the impeller:


Test to make sure it move freely and it is:


Then test fit the Speedy Moto water pump billet cover with all ProTi Titanium Bolts of course, got carried away so I also install the Motocorse Titanium Timing Cover, Oberon Billet Clutch Slave Cylinder and AELLA sprocket cover:






And those were all the activities I have time to do this weekend

 

[BMW Alpina]

Spooky Fast of Arizona just sent me an update on my fairings painting progress, and they are targeting to ship them back to me sometime this week, but wow, what progress :

Sexy Back:




Supermodel Waist:



Pretty Face:

 

[HKMP7]

OMG those look freaking amazing.
I may have to stop by there so I can see them in person!

 

[V4J]

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Front and Rear Wheel:
View attachment 11772View attachment 11773

But then I realized, these are NOT how the 2023 Ducati Panigale V4S sticker is located... I stick them a bit to the sides of the wheel... so I am buying another set of these RED Stickers and will "Experiment" a bit...
Having said that, they do lighten up the looks of the Silver Marchesini...

Next, time to install the front wheel speedometer mechanism:
View attachment 11774View attachment 11775

View attachment 11776View attachment 11777

Next adding the 5mm spacer since I will be using the RADIAL caliper so the offset of the Brembo T-Drive available for 998 is not enough (only 10mm) and it need to be 15mm thus the spacer:
View attachment 11778View attachment 11779

Then install the Brembo T-Drive with ProTi titanium as usual:
View attachment 11780

View attachment 11781View attachment 11782

Then test fit the Speedometer gear when I realized, the 5mm spacer made the ProTi titanium bolts on the Brembo T-Drive HIT the speedometer mechanism:
View attachment 11783View attachment 11784

Well, this doesn't work...
So my solutions are:
a. Buy a 998R or 748R disk brake rotor with 15mm offset (so no need for spacer), but their center carrier/hat color is GOLD, and their design is not as nice as Brembo T-Drive
b. Brake-Tech made a 15mm disk brake rotor for 998R, but I don't like their PETAL design for the stainless steel rotor, and I don't want to have the STEEL/IRON version since they will rust (and come black coated)
c. There are some other brands, but all of them are PETAL or Wave in summary non of the design is good enough for me...
d. I can always forgo the speedometer gear and just use a spacer, but that means my speedometer will not work and I want my speedometer to work (if someday I ride this bike)

So, I decided to CNC machine a REPLICA of the Brembo T-Drive Carrier/Hat but with a 15mm offset so I can still have the Brembo T-Drive style...
I mean just look at the pictures below... the Brembo T-Drive just looks so nice:
View attachment 11785View attachment 11786
View attachment 11787

Oh, this is how the speedometer cable is routed:
View attachment 11788View attachment 11789


View attachment 11790

I love those wheels, brother. They're .

 

[BMW Alpina]

Don't have much update yet, except my engine is almost finished (with my engine builder now), and I also received this beautiful Titanium Motocorse Bolts for the Silencers:

 

[BMW Alpina]

Yesterday, I received good updates from my Engine Builder, and he is almost finished with building my brand-new engine
Of course, it has further "tuning enhancement" to further push its performance
Hopefully, I can married it to the frame sometime next month

 

[BMW Alpina]

Final Preparation to package and CRATE the engine at my engine builder shop. He plans to ship it on Monday.
He is so nice that he loaned me his spare clutch cover and spare alternator/generator cover to further protect my engine during shipment.
I will later replace those covers with my brand-new covers, of course. I hope it will be back here sometime in the third week of August or hopefully earlier.