To modify or not to modify...

[Sumfun4me]

So I've started to strip down the 750 F1 project bike that I picked up earlier in the week, and whilst scouring the interweb for parts, I've realised that I've run into a little dilemna. There are 3 obvious options with this rebuild:

1. Keep it as close to original as possible (ignoring the factory flaws) and aim toward something the factory would want on display in their museum.
2. Bomb the shit out of it with go fast & performance enhancing bits until it hardly resembles a Ducati at all
3. Pick the best of both worlds. That is, keep it as close to original with the exception of improvements (top spec forks, shock, braided lines, etc)

I'd be interested to know your thoughts, particularly from the true Ducatisti amongst you.

[SOLID]

Option 3. Option 2 is just counter intuitive to why you bought it, if you wanted fast you would have got something else. Option one is the hard road when option 2 renders the same results with improvements. Really depends on how much of a purist you are.

[darkfibre]

Hate to say it, but some will tell you not to destroy a work of art, others will say go for it.


It now gets down to you... When you close your eyes and daydream about the project, do you see it factory and mint condition, or do you see something that YOU have made.

Personally, I go down the road of make it the way you want it, unless its a one of a kind (which modifiers should have not bought, one offs are for COLLECTORS)

[Sumfun4me]

Although it would be a hard slog, I was originally leaning toward option 1, but wasn't too sure about re-using the suspension that came with it. Besides being hard to find parts for, I was thinking that the options available today would make for a brilliantly handling bike (which really says a lot when you take into account the reputation these things had for handling to begin with), but at the same time I was concerned about the collectability of a modified bike versus a showroom original.

[R160]

1 and 3, rebuild original spec brakes and suspension and store it away, run bike with option 3

[JAFA]

1 and 3, rebuild original spec brakes and suspension and store it away, run bike with option 3

+1.

[perdition]

option 3 and working as much as possible with what you have got

[Drasius]

If you are going to actually put more than a couple of hundred km's on it a year, then 3, otherwise 1.

[DUC 104]

Having raced an F1 for years and riden one as a road bike I suggest you modify with modern suspension, wheels, tyres, and lots of 'go fast' parts cause the F1's road manners are dated & not really very comfy. As a track bike & weekend terror toy the F1 shines a very bright light. You can alway reverse modifications when life becomes boring.

[Evil Dwarf]

...

[D.J]

Yep Option 1, but I am biased toward originality, and please don't rat bobber it

[Sumfun4me]

I've come to the conclusion that option 1 is the way to go. Whilst I just know its going to be difficult, the thought of owning an original appeals to me. I've already started the hunt for part and so far I've found 9and purchased) these:
brand new rear seat section (includes the fibreglass tail, new seat, pillon cover, pillion pegs & all mounting hardware)
brand new instrument cluster
brand new oil cooler
I'm working on a hardware list to replace every nut, bolt & washer with titanium (I figure it looks good & shouldn't age). Keep an eye out in the projects thread for this over the coming months.

[R160]

bevel rubber i think its called (in Oz) will repro instument gear

[jules_1972]

A restoration thread coming up!!

Hope it works out ok!!

[duc13]

Good move Sumfun, looking forward to the project thread.
Can you throw a couple of pics up here , as she is now?

[Spock]

So long as all the mods are reversible do whatever you think you need to to make it better. No sense putting up with flaws if you don't have to.

[PrestigeCBR]

Your a winner either way!

[Sumfun4me]

As she was when I picked her up last Thursday:

As she is now:

[duc13]

Looks as though you've been busy .
Was this one on bikesales Sumfun?

[Sumfun4me]

Yes duc13, I've been looking for a while now, and whilst there have been a few come up this is the first one I've seen in Perth.