This Month's Featured Bike:
David Shultz's 05 Monster S4R

Motorcycles are not new to my family. My grandfather rode a 4-cylinder Henderson in the ‘20s and ‘30s, and his sons both ride to this day. So when my brothers started riding, it seemed natural. However, I saved all the money I earned in High School to help pay for college, consequently I never bought a motorcycle when I was younger.

Then came graduate school and a job in academia to keep me busy. On top of that my ex-wife didn’t work much, so my salary didn’t allow for a lot of extras.

But, when my divorce was imminent, I decided that I’d waited long enough. I tried to be smart about it and I purchased a Suzuki GS500 and took the MSF course. In just eight months and 4500 miles, I wanted more power and something to ride longer distances, so I traded in the GS500 for a brand new 1200cc Suzuki Bandit in April 2004. That bike now has over 25,000 miles on it and I’ve ridden it quite a few places.

While I was having all that fun on the Bandit, I was also lusting after Ducatis at the local shop – I wanted something “different.” My Uncle had Laverdas and a Ducati or two so I was aware of the marque. I know that I’m preaching to the choir, but Ducatis are just so sexy and that sound, wow! So after some research and shopping around, I bought a red 2005 MS4R on December 17, 2005. Man, what a fun bike! There is something about the bike’s aesthetics that just screams, “MOD ME!” (I think someone on the DML once wrote that the Monster is the perfect canvas. I agree.)

A few months later I discovered the DML – what an invaluable resource! I learned a lot about all the possible mods, some important tech/maintenance stuff, made a few friends, and got more than a few laughs.

Being just over 6’ tall, I wanted different ergonomics, and the Cycle Cat clip-ons/triple and rearsets were the first changes that I made.

The adjustable bars and rearsets are handy since I ride the bike from Raleigh, NC to Camp Hill, PA a few times per year, and raising the bars and lowering the pegs makes for a more comfortable 750 mile round-trip.

Then the mod bug really bit: Termignoni CF slip-ons with a Spareshack type 2 header, Sargent seat, Rizoma billet fluid reservoirs, mirrors, and grips, Kellermann LED turn signals, Cycle Cat pressure plate and clutch cover, Zero Gravity dark smoke windscreen, CRG levers, a SBK fender I bought off eBay, a homemade tail chop, and a handful of other small mods.

I’ve also removed factory stickers (it pains me to have my inspection and parking stickers on the fork tubes), rubber bands, emissions canister, rear chain guard, and side panels.

In April of this year, I visited the Dragon, and on the ride home, my bike tipped in the trailer, and dinged the tank and seat cowl. The great job on the tank/cowl repair and paint got me thinking about making the swingarm red to match the frame. From the factory, the swingarm is brushed aluminum and it just doesn't stand out.

Then I saw another DMLer who had his swingarm powdercoated red. I never heard of powdercoating, so I learned a little about it and a few months later found someone in the area who could do the job: Tom at Carolina Custom Powder Coating, in Cary, NC. He also powdercoated the tie rod red, the shock spring gloss black, and the sprocket cover satin black.

Yeah, right! I’ve already got another to-do list…it’ll never end.

So, thanks to the DML and those who work so hard to keep the Board running!!

Dave
(pompetta)

Click here for past featured bikes