Just a couple of quick snaps (disclaimer: phone cam) – Alfred is alive and well. New oil and spark plugs, finished clutch cover, a shiny carbon front fender and the fitted de-cat pipe make the patient sing his heart out.

I’m a happy camper!

Clutch Cover Update
After four layers of primer and a lot of hours spend sanding, I’m finally getting close to finishing the prettying up of my clutch cover. Preparation seems key, but as it’s the first time I’m attempting anything like this, mine turned out to be a bit flawed.

Don’t get me wrong, execution wise (prepping the cover, sanding shite, etc.) all is well. Finish is bound to be smooth and as perfect as my anal retentive mind will let me. It’s just that I’m currently waiting for my VHT clear coat to come in. Which I ordered three weeks ago. Argh.

In the time spend waiting on the clear coat I’ve also found out I needed a 21mm socket for the oil mesh filter cap, and a 14mm hex nut to undo the actual mesh filter. Both not included in my Halfords 127-piece tool kit I got (thanks babe, you’re awesome). Obviously, I only got them after I fucked up the aluminium cap with an adjustable spanner – the last person to screw it back on used a bit too much torque I’m guessing.

I also ended up having to buy a second aerosol of paint, having run out after a coat and a tube of ThreeBond 1215 Silicone Sealant for when I put it back together. So yeah, once the clear coat comes in, I should be good to finish the clutch cover.

Marving De-cat mid pipe S2R 800/S4R
Another thing to cross of my to-do list – a de-cat pipe. Having bought this off someone who had fitted it to a S4R, it was a bit of a gamble. Some sources on the net said it would fit, it being the same model, some others said there was a difference. Just to be clear – there is a definite difference between this pipe and the one fitted to the S2R 1000 (Dual Spark) engines.

As you can clearly tell, it will visually clean up the bottom of the bike due to lack of the huge udder, consequently dropping a huge amount of weight in the process. To take the old mid pipe off, I had to remove the front header and once it came off it was clear some new bolts wouldn’t hurt Alfred’s engine.

So now that this is done, I’m waiting on clear coat, a new aluminium oil mesh filter cap and some new header bolts and nuts. In the meanwhile, I keep cleaning stuff out of boredom, anxiously waiting to put everything back together so I can release the new roar.

I’ve set out to refresh the clutch cover. Unfortunately, the paint has been dinged up a bit. Since I’m giving Alfred a small service, whilst the oil is drained, I thought I might as well take off the cover to fix it. More pictures to come.

With the painted parts freshly added, it was time for some snapshots. The sharp eye will notice I’ve also removed the side panels, as in the end I found they unnecessarily hid the beautiful steel trellis frame. Without the pieces of plastic the subframe/seat slims down nicely, following the main theme of a naked bike and revealing more of the rear shock.

Amongst other things, the whole bike needs a wee bit of cleaning up. More naked, less stuff. The bike was originally fitted with a Scottoiler and although they are fantastic for 500-plus-mile-a-week tourers or commuters, for a bike that’s mainly used to stare at ride for fun, it’s a bit overkill. More importantly, it was another set of -unwanted- cables/lines.

In the Evolution galleries, I shall try and keep a line of imagery that follows the change of Alfred. Images in here should place all the tinkering and modifying in a broader context to form a more complete overview of the whole bike.

One of the first things that started to annoy me on the bike was the chrome headlight rim. Apart from the fork stanchions, it’s the only bit of chrome on the bike and quite frankly, in my ever so humble opinion, it doesn’t belong there. Also, the blank grey belt covers had to be changed as well. So a trip to Halfords resulted in both items finished in a matte black that makes the covers blend in much, much better with the whole of the bike. The headlight matches the black of the clocks, as well.

Another thing that was added was a high flow air filter from K&N. After cutting down the stock air box cover, this releases a roar that is much better suited to the Monster soundtrack than the default muffled sound. Revving it up to 5-6K in 2nd and 3rd gear has never been so addictive. Performance wise, it should give the bike a bit more grunt when combined with an open exhaust and a proper fuelling set-up. Right now, I suppose it’s more of a placebo effect, but I’d like to think Alfred is a bit more responsive of the line.

As you can see, the clutch-side engine cover could use some TLC as well, something I’m planning to do once I get my stand in – so I can do some small maintenance, drain all the oil and take of the cover.

A lot of Ducatisti will probably want to kill me for this, but I just took delivery of a set of Japanese POSH gum grips, courtesy of Deus Ex Machina. As featured on their SR 542 Mono, these grips will eventually have to make their way to Alfred. But that’s not all. Stay tuned for more blasphemy (something to do with more Japanese parts…).

One thing that always annoyed me on my old bike was a lack of storage space. Because the whole back was custom made, there was no put-your-key-in-and-lift-your-seat. With the Monster, it’s not much different as the wee space underneath the seat isn’t exactly huge, however I found when you remove the stock tool kit, there’s just enough space for a flat disc lock. Now, I would be lying if I told you I purchased this lock for exactly that purpose, as in truth I found out by dumb luck. However, it fits under there like a dream, as the rubber band that would normally secure your toolkit, fits perfectly around the forged Vishas.

Tested as no. 1 by RIDE magazine – Motrax Vishas Disc Lock.

Fantastic little helmet – seriously light and a ton of ventilation options. Downside of that it’s not exactly the most quiet helmet I’ve owned. The Shoei I had before was much better in that department. Still, worth the money? Well, including the darkened visor, the damn thing retails for over £600,- of your well-earned money. Through eBay, imported directly from Japan, it’s doable for about hundred less. You decide.

The gloves are Dainese X-ILE, mighty comfortable and not such a hassle as previously owned full racing gloves. I’ve owned both Dainese and Alpinestars full gloves, but unfortunately both got chewed on by a hungry pup. Because these are cut a lot shorter, they are great for around town and allow you to comfortably wear a watch.

What. A. Fantastic. Piece. Of. Kit. Before moving to the UK, I never heard of Kriega, but they seem to be very popular over here. And rightfully so. I also own a AXIO hard pack (and matching tank bag – yay for me) and it’s absolutely awesome for storing a laptop, but very impractical apart from that. The Kriega is a regular rucksack in the sense you can stuff it as much as you want, but adapted for the motorcyclist with straps that secure your load in place to keep it from jingling about and a very secure quick-release harness that evens out the weight on your shoulders.  Bought at BikeStop.co.uk.

Alfred in the first week. The previous owner luckily had already done away with the dreadful stock Mickey Mouse ears that Ducati call mirrors and the mushrooms they attach for indicators. I also removed the front fairing (who puts fairing on a naked bike anyway), did away with the pillion foot rests and gave him a good clean. Also added some new Marchesini decals and put on some wheel tape. It’s super cheap, but a great visual improvement. Stay tuned for more inevitable tinkering…