This Month's Featured Bike:
Syd_Monster's 1995 600 Monster

In 2004 I was given the opportunity to buy this bike at a bargain price from some one I knew. Basically a stock standard 1995 600M Monster and after 10 months of ownership and some basic mods the “mod bug” hit…..

My ideas were to rebuild & modify it by doing as much myself and to either custom make things or use as many parts from other Ducati’s as possible. I love the naked look and street fighter look, hence the less on the bike the better in my eyes…

Haynes manual in hand I started by making notes on what had to be removed, like side panels, seat key etc. Then totally striping the bike with DML borrowed methods to hoist it up by the frame in my garage, were most work was to happen. I continued with prepping the frame, smoothing off all the little dags and clips etc. The frame was then strengthened on advice from the DML. Two extra bars were welded on to the front of the frame, thanks Barry. I also checked how square it was before paint

Paint was a tuff choice but came down to the current Red & Black combination. It’s a “Kandy” colour and after prepping has 5 coats of silver, followed by 5 coats of shimmering red metallic candy and 5 coats of clear, all from House of Kolor. The finish is fantastic and I can’t thank my mate and spray painter Theo; enough for his gun work. Theo also applied his techniques to my wheels, triple clamps, and rear-sets all in clear over base 2-pak black. Black engine cases, shim covers, swing-arm, shock ends rear springs etc. complete the paint. Which I did myself using pressure packs, and my kitchen oven…

There are other things like the wheel stripping, the cut S4R carbon hugger, electronic bike speedometer, and those very controversial lights plus several other small things which I’m sure others will point out, as I have forgotten.
I had Gowanlochs of Sydney check the engine and do a belt and shim-change and for a machine that’s done over 48,000K’s its still nice and tight. I also had the carbs rebuilt by my go-kart shop (I race rotax karts) who applied a few little tricks. With new gaskets and the engine put back together the wait was for the suspension.

I know Ohlins would be best, but a rebuild was much more affordable, thus Sean at SOS gets the credit for his fantastic work. New seals and valves, re-coatings etc; now the bike handles brilliantly, is easy to ride and supple yet tight and predictable in the bends. New bearings all round, clutch & brake lines and several part swaps, a few other mechanical mods and the rebuild continued slowly but worth the pain, as it was starting to piece together nicely. I was glad I had help from my girlfriend & friends to rebuild it as I was afraid to scratch the paint, so thanks to my babe Bo Mee and my mates Con & Blas; I couldn’t have done it with out your help guys.…

As you all know, it’s never really “finished”. I have a custom exhaust and probably a change to either a 900-carb motor or forged lightweight wheels. The bike recently won ‘Ducati Best Modified’ at the 2006 Concourse d’Elegance here in Sydney, but I was most happy when the DML Hooligans Downunder crew stopped by to say hello at the show. Many thanks to Jeff and all the DML mods and members for allowing my bike on the DML!

Mechanical changes & upgrades:
• Strengthened frame (see above)
• New bearings, tie rods, bolts and seals all round.
• Master cylinders and levers from SS-1000
• Front wheel from SS-900
• Rebuilt carburettors with modified thoughts.
• Air-box removed running pod filters on stock venturis.
• Adjustable Kawasaki clip-ons from a wrecked ZX-9R.
• New hi-tensile engine bolts all round.
• New ABM slave clutch cylinder, custom order from Italy.
• Totally rebuilt OEM suspension and set-up.
• Modified and simplified wiring harness, relays and starter motor.
• New HEL braided brake & clutch lines.
• Rebuilt & resealed front and rear Brembo callipers, front from wrecked SS-900.
• New clear fuel lines and rebuilt fuel pump.
• “Staintune” stainless steel slip-on mufflers.
• Wireless electronic speedometer by “Echowell” ordered from Spain.

Cosmetic changes & upgrades:
• House of Kolor deep metallic “Kandy” red paint.
• Clear-over-base black 2-pak.
• Ducati seat cowl.
• Swing arm, wheels, rear-sets, engine cases, shim covers, triple clamps, fork ends all done in black.
• Carbon spec hugger cut down & custom mounted from wrecking S4R Jap spec monster.
• Rear spring in hi-temp red, headers cleaned up.
• Re-padded OEM seat.
• Exposed timing belts with minimal protection.
• Removed all stickers, side panels, seat key, frame dags, tail chop, crankcase breather, speedometer & cluster, front blinkers, front OEM headlight & brackets, rear hugger, front faring etc…
• Custom LED bulbs inside OEM rear brake light case and aftermarket rear indicators.
• Silver Crankcase breather.
• Custom mounted “miniature” front lights under lower triple.
• Custom 80’s style tank decals on tank and cowl.
• Reflective wheels stripes.

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