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

NineNineEight

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Not yet, but I might have a breakthrough, still researching this possibility (just found out last night) ;)
How did this work out after all (if at all)? Have you managed to source a new loom? I am surprised that Lapunta did not get back to you, as they have assisted many owners in the very recent past (myself included), albeit with the usual premium.
 

BMW Alpina

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How did this work out after all (if at all)? Have you managed to source a new loom? I am surprised that Lapunta did not get back to you, as they have assisted many owners in the very recent past (myself included), albeit with the usual premium.
I should know in the next few days (but no response from Lapunta).
 

BMW Alpina

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Finally, after more than 3 years of looking for a Ducati 998 Original OEM Genuine Factory wiring harness in BRAND-NEW condition, I found one last BRAND-NEW set in Germany. 😎
This also means I finally finished buying every part for this 998 project that I want to replace with a BRAND-NEW part.

The Phrase Where there is a will, there's a way is still True 😌

I now have 3 sets of Ducati 998 wiring harnesses, one set came from this 998, one set I bought used but in great condition from a 998R owner in Germany, and this latest BRAND-NEW set is also from Germany.
My plan is to sell the set ex 998R soon.

The set that came originally from my 998 is currently on the bike and will soon be swapped for the BRAND-NEW set. I will keep the original set from my 998 as a spare.

Below are the pictures (the first 2 pictures are for the BRAND-NEW set), and the last picture shows the used set ex 998R side by side with the BRAND-NEW set for comparison.

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BMW Alpina

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Ok, I actually have a lot of updates that I did maybe three months ago. However, I still have not posted them here, but I will try to post them soon.

Having said that, my family and I have made a lot of progress in renovating critical systems in our house, like our plumbing, gas piping, electrical, and sprinkler systems, so now I have more time to work on my 998 again.
Starting this weekend, I plan to keep working on my house renovation on Saturday and working on my 998 on Sunday or vice versa.

Today, I finally finished installing my custom Goodridge 910 PTFE lined, Aramid Fiber braided hose system for the cylinder head oiling system to the clutch cover. Yes, I can make my life easier by using Ducati's own braided hose, but I want to use AN4 size hoses for better oil flow, and well, it just looks nicer ;)

First, I custom machined an aluminum bracket using 7075-T6 alloy, because the aluminum bracket I found it my stack of aluminum part (unused parts from my office) is too short. Plus, I want custom hole size to accomodate M6 and M5 bolts:
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Below are side by side comparison with the bracket I found ex my office and the new custom machined bracket following my measurement:
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Then, I ask my younger son to polish and then paint with Anodized Red color paint:
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Then I test installed on the same location where the Ducati factory Tee Distributor for the hose is located, of course with custom spacer and all Titanium ProTi bolts/nuts as usual. Noticed I added a Serrated Washer to help hold the bracket in position despite engine vibration:
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For the top part, I used Motocorse Titanium Bolt with ProTi M6 nut to hold the Tee Stainless Steel AN4 distributor from Earl's:
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Everything fit as I measured, so next, I need to create 2 more hoses because last time I managed to KINK the hose since the old bracket was too short.

I first start with the hose from the clutch cylinder cover straight up to the Tee Distributor:
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Next the hose from the Tee Distributor to the Horizontal Cylinder:
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Just a picture to show the hose (that already made before) from the Tee distributor to the Vertical cylinder:
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Overall picture, yes looks fancy :cool:, and that is for this week... (oh I forgot, I also took out my original wire harness that came with this bike,and next week, my brand new wire harness will go in 😃
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BMW Alpina

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A few days ago, the 10mm brake caliper spacer from UK arrived:
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They are here to replace the 16mm Motocorse brake caliper spacer that came with the Motocorse fork bottom billet kit:
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The Motocorse 16mm is too thick causing the brake pad to hang above the outer diameter of the 320mm rotor. However when I test fit this new 10mm brake caliper spacer:
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The 10mm is not thick enough, causing the brake pad now too sunk below the outer diameter of the 320mm brake disk:
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They are too deep about 2.5mm:
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So, I am now ordering a 12.5mm brake caliper spacer from UK. Another 2 weeks delay to install the brake caliper....
 

BMW Alpina

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Ok, this was a few months ago, during end of year holidays.
I started testing installing the fuel pump assembly onto the gas tank. Testing? Yes, because in DUCATIModified realm, everything that can be improved will be modified :cool:

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But first, the standard stuff, like touching up some part of the tank that was not painted properly in the factory (yes, this is a BRAND NEW gas tank):
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Installing the rubber bushing and spacers:
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Fuel Pump Assembly (brand new of course):
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I took off the stock black and white plastic quick disconnect fuel fitting:
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Install Earl's fitting adapter from the stock thread to AN thread, and add PTFE tape:
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Add Double Swivel Elbow AN Fitting:
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Test fit with the larger head ProTi Titanium bolts:
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However, when I test fit the gas tank, the AN fitting sticks out too much and hitting the vertical cylinder head, so I had to buy a DIFFERENT fittings (which I did, and I will update soon on how I solve this issues).
 

BMW Alpina

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I also test fit the Rear Brake Caliper DryBreak Staubli fitting and ProTi Titanium Banjo Bolts (I have 2 size length to choose which size is better):
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Yes, it is GORGEOUS as expected :love::
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BMW Alpina

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Next was test fitting the available space under the gas tank for the upcoming Titanium Machined AN fitting adapter to the injector assembly... Yap, custom CNC machined adapter made of GRADE 5 TITANIUM :cool: .
Now what you see below is just the Blue 3D printed prototype of the future AN fitting adapter (which is now already machined, but I have not posted it here):
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Looking good, but I worry the height might be slightly different when I use the Jetprime Velocity stack, so I test fit with the Jetprime set but this time on the MS Production larger opening Carbon Fiber Airbox:
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This MS Production Carbon Fiber Airbox with a larger intake opening was further customized with a Satin Matte Finish, which gives it a modern-looking finish.
Also, another reminder that the Injector will be replaced with a better shower pattern injector from 1198 (for test fit, I am just using the old stock 998 injector).
 

BMW Alpina

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Talking about the airbox, it is time to add all the rubber seals and drain hoses, all brand new fresh from Ducati factory, and so glad to see these type of things still Made in Italy 🤣:
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Using old trusty Toyota Rubber Grease:
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Rubber Seal (to seal the airbox with the lower part of the gas tank installed.
Next is installing the rubber drain hose, and this is really a pain to install. The opening on the airbox was drilled to small so I need to enlarge it then test fit, then enlarge more then test fit (to make sure I did not enlarge too much), but it took me a few hours, not fun but I finally got it done. Again they are super tight:
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BMW Alpina

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In the meantime (again these are all a few months ago):
The new Samco radiator hoses arrived. I actually had a green color set, but after more staring at the whole color combination, I decided to buy another set, this time in a black color just like a stock Ducati hose:
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More fittings for the Fuel Assembly also arrived:
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BMW Alpina

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Let's focus more on the AN Fitting for the fuel pump to the Injector assembly.

First I bought this TITANIUM adapters that will adapt the metric thread I machined into my custom TITANIUM injector adapter to AN fitting:
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Test fit with the 3D printed prototype:
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Add the AN Fitting then see if it clear the space under the gas tank:
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Check the next cylinder injector to make sure clearance:
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And good news, the fuel injector system hose by Goodridge, Kevlar/Aramid fiber braided as usual arrive along with the STAUBLI Quick DRYBREAK for FUEL System:
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Yes, these babies are super nice as expected from Staubli:
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BMW Alpina

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But first, we need to build the brand new fuel pump assembly, with every part brand new.
Side by side comparison between my old 998 fuel assembly that came with the bike and the brand new base plate, notice the fuel level sensor is now a different design:
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Here are all the brand new parts needed:
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The fuel pump itself, the rubber housing, and other plastic housings for the filter. I will let the pictures speak for themselves regarding the steps of assembly:
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Then insert the whole fuel pump with it's rubber outer and filter onto the base plate:
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Next adding all the hoses and more filter:
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BMW Alpina

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This is another filter assembly with it's plastic bracket. This plastic bracket is NO LONGER Available from Ducati and I bought the last 2 remaining new I can find:
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Connect the electric connector to the fuel pump:
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By the way, those hoses clamps bolts will soon be replaced with a Titanium from ProBolts:
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Next drain hoses:
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