Bimota Forum

[DB1RS2R]

Hello, my name's Adam and I'm a Bimota Forum FNG. My Dad was into Bimotas - DB1, DB1SR Serie Finale, SB3 and now a DB2 and I've owned a YB5 and now a DB1R frame that's being put on the road/track with the help of an S2R 800. I'm looking at the possible donor tomorrow.

I'm trying to put something together and I'm wondering if anyone knows (or can measure) the dimensions to the DB1's fairing spacer, part number 500271070. The front big fairing bolt spacer, aluminum. Mainly the thickness but other dimensions can't hurt.

Thanks,
Adam
San Jose, CA
_________________
'85 Bimota DB1R (S2R donor)
'08 Ducati Desmosedici RR
'73 Ducati 750 Sport
'00 Ducati 996
'10 Ducati Streetfighter 1098
'69 Laverda 750 GT
'66 Velocette Venom Clubman
NorVin project (in progress)
Previous Bimota: '87 YB5

[brian]

G'day Adam and welcome to the forum. Quite a nice selection of bims there between you and your dad.

I can't help on the db1 front i'm afraid but i'm sure 2bims will chime in shortly and may be able to help you out

I'll be the first to say (but probably not the last)... some pics of your bikes would be appretiated.

Cheers,
Brian
_________________
'99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851

[DB1RS2R]

Thanks, Brian. I was very lucky growing up. Going to track days in Michigan back in the early 1990s with the two DB1s was surreal.


_________________
'85 Bimota DB1R (S2R donor)
'08 Ducati Desmosedici RR
'73 Ducati 750 Sport
'00 Ducati 996
'10 Ducati Streetfighter 1098
'69 Laverda 750 GT
'66 Velocette Venom Clubman
NorVin project (in progress)
Previous Bimota: '87 YB5

[oily]

Welcome to the forum Adam

Your half way to posting pictures already, just copy and past the IMG code into your post...
Simples



_________________
SB6 mk1 (project mega light, big bore)
Sb6 mk2 ( Big Bore)
Sb6 mk2 ( Restored)
Sb6R fighter
Sb6 or Sb7 WANTED

[brian]

[brian]

When you are writing your post click on the [img] button either end of the link

eg. [/img]link[img]

[/img]
_________________
'99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851

[brian]

Nice looking frame by the way! Have you got the rest of the parts??
_________________
'99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851

[2bims]

Hi Adma, and welcome to the Forum, a most ambitious project you have on your hands there, not so much with the engine fit, as 1079cc twin spark engines would also go in to that frame, check out LoudBikeSteve on google and it'll take you to his site, and links with teams that race Db1's...

Scroll half way down this link and you should see the fairing spaced (for the front) that you are maybe looking for, complete with the large ally bolt that fits into it, the spacer being on the inside of the fairing, only on the fronts, not the rear. Haven't looked at the spares book part number you've quoted so let me know if its this one....Although I would have thought that with just a frame this could be the start of a LONG list of parts and measurements needed....

http://www.bimotaforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=519&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=315

I've to take the nose cone off in a week or so to fit NOS indicators, so can take the spacer and bolt off then if you like and measure up the sizes.

S'pose you are fortunate over that side of the pond as there is still a company over there that makes replica race and road fairings for the DB1, with or without cut-outs for lights etc etc...

Also perhaps PM Mike Jennings on this Forum as he has a DB1S in the UK that he is putting back together and may have that handy to measure and send on Dimensions...but I would have thought you were a long way off needing it as yet

[Mike Jennings]

Hello,

'fraid I can't find those spacers at the moment (I took the fairing off years ago so can't be sure where they are, although I've looked),so we'll have to wait until 2bims removes the fairing on his so he can give me the dimensions too! The big screws are available on ebay in Germany if I remember correctly. If I come across the spacers in the meantime, I'll let you know.

Cheers, MikeJ

[2bims]

5 GBP per dimension? so thats length, outer dia and inner dia = 15...

Yeh no problems guys, I've a couple of bulbs to change under that and flip the headlight dip and main beam connectors as they're reading opposites with the switch...so no worries

[DB1RS2R]

I have an aluminum fuel cell I got from Germany (new old stock, aftermarket) and an upgraded S2R 800 I picked up on Saturday I found 30 minutes from home - ST4 front end, 4 pistons calipers (not the sliders it comes with), billet ally pieces galore (that I'm going to de-bling/de-anodize = will be silver), fresh Penske shock (ideal length), Shorai battery, etc. Perfect donor bike.

Going to use left over ProItalia parts to put together the rear-sets with the help of a machinist making the side plates, longer shift rod. There's a lot to figure out and the devil's the details. Luckily, I can take my time. Do things right. Check and service things as I go. Wires will need extended, brackets will need to be made.

I just found some beautiful SpeedyMoto billet triple trees so I can run clip-ons. Trying to use stuff that looks somewhat Bimota-esque. I realize trying to make a true DB1R is near impossible, would cost $$$$$ and take 10 years. I'd rather build a special and ride it. I had been looking for a frame for 9 years. I'm not going to modify the frame itself at all. Don't even want to repaint it.

Going to modify the swingarm to connect to rocker links then paint it frame color. I'm waiting to hear back from someone regarding the rear suspension rocker. Or I'll have to figure something else out.

I'm just about to take the front end off and lift the Ducati frame. I'm thinking of running AirTech DB1 bodywork - just the main piece as I want it simple and have that sensation while riding. Tank in chest. Low clip-ons. No fairing blocking the road.

And can always add the belly and nose if I figure out a subframe/headlight. I may make a new aluminum tank and seat one day but at first I want that pearl white DB1 look. I saw those body bolts on German eBay and picked four up, hence the spacer dimension request. I can measure what I need later but I want to know what OEM is if/when someone has a chance to measure. No worries. Certainly no rush.

Bigger engines can "fit" but front tire/valve cover clearance is an issue with 17" wheels and longer strokes. And why I'm running what's basically a hot 750. I want to keep the bike low as I love that aspect of it.

Yeah, I know Steve. Used to run with him at the track. Grattan, Mosport.

Going to run slicks (I've always wanted to do that with one of my 851s and because I'm a jackass) and I might add bigger cylinders giving me an 853. Magnesium wheels would be sweet one day too. Are they ever finished?

DB1R S2R 853 - needs a shorter name. It's basically going to be a DB1RS which doesn't exist but it is an incorrect factory decal, haha. Oh, db1 humor.

Pics, updated periodically (work will continue after I heal a bit from Sunday's mountain bike front end washout): https://picasaweb.google.com/106224032438619042529/BimotaDB1R

Cheers,
Adam
_________________
'85 Bimota DB1R (S2R donor)
'08 Ducati Desmosedici RR
'73 Ducati 750 Sport
'00 Ducati 996
'10 Ducati Streetfighter 1098
'69 Laverda 750 GT
'66 Velocette Venom Clubman
NorVin project (in progress)
Previous Bimota: '87 YB5

[2bims]

I admire your enthusiasm and ambitious plans and would love to see updates.

The airstream body parts look the biz also, so go for race rep units or road ready ones for lights etc??

Front headlight is an easy one, its a Yamaha unit from the FJ1200, with 2 of the 4 mounting lugs cut off, and I'm sire a mounting framw would be easy enough to fab up, and I could help with dimensions on that score also.

Quite a bit of space behind the headlight unit really, nice and simple electrics under there, the Yam headlight unit is fine, and not a projector type so loads of space behind it, clocks mounted flat on an ally plate and just a few wires.

Have fun with the battery fixing position, standard is mounted in the frame cradle under the petrol tank, and the mounting of the oil cooler has to be dropped and the battery box pulled out from under the frame. That space for the oil cooler is the only one really for it as its the only place where theres an available air stream with the fairing.

My DB1 has evidence of cooking its electrics with the standard bodywork and coils and regulator/rectifier all fitted under the tank where all the heat gathers from the headers...not the best of designs and a known issue with them.

I've titanium heat wrapped the headers under the bodywork, but come Summer time I'm taking the exhaust system off and Ceram Coating the outers and inners to finally get the heat away from under the bodywork and a permanent black satin finish. Happy to hep where I can, and glad to see you want to make a faithful updated rendition, especially one that you intend to use and ride, thats the best bit.

Theya re a hoot to ride, so so small and low, theres a big difference in slipstreaming with that bike and my others, I noticed my head was bouncing and getting buffeted above 50mph and the low low fairing and screen demands you tuck in down low with the bodywork to help with the aerodynamics.

I would ask what "height" you are, as the DB1 has possibly the shortest distance between the seat and the footpegs that I have ever experienced, made for midgets for sure, so watch out for this one when getting your plates made up, ground clearance isnt a problem so maybe drop the level an inch or 2

[brian]

[brian]

Sure sounds like an interesting project ahead of you Adam. I'm looking forward to reading the updates over the next couple years
_________________
'99 DB4 #104, '96 SB6 #1165, '94 DB2 J #652, '99 DB4 #088, '08 VTX1800, '93 ZXR750R M1, '95 ZXR750, '95 ZXR750 Race Bike, '94 CBR400rr NC29 Race Bike, '94 CB250, '49 BSA C10 250, '61 BSA A10 650, '89 ZXR750, '91 Ducati 851

[DB1RS2R]

There aren't turn signal provisions, nor a trunk compartment, made into the AirTech stuff so, loving the opportunity, I'm thinking of using the no-lights version of bodywork.

Monster headlight for now. No turn signals. One small mirror. Minimal / R look is my theme. Custom gauge at some point - SpeedHut is great for this. Can upload a Bimota logo onto the gauge dial to help things look production. GPS speedometer, built in tachometer, etc.

The Rs had a "desmo" decal where the brake light would be but I'm thinking of continuing the red stripe around the back and hiding red LEDs in the red area for running/brake lights. Maybe a black "desmo" hidden in the black number plate? The rest is identical to the stradas on the main body piece.

Maybe cut the license plate bracket off? Maybe not. On my 250 I run the license plate on a hard Boblbee backpack so the bike looks cleaner when I park it and so I can carry tools. This would look great on this bike too. But always wearing a backpack gets old/hot. Was thinking about how I can have some storage for tools/plug kit. The body can come off it about 30 seconds so maybe attach a compartment into the trunk area? Something. I'll need an aluminum allen key hidden somewhere...

Can anyone tell me the width of the DB1's tail light? I imagine it's the width of the "desmo" decal on the Rs. If I get the tank decals reproduced I should get these too.

FJ1200 headlight? Too cool. I had a YB5 (FJ1200 engine) and thought they used a DB1 headlight, ha! Good to know. Oh yeah, it says "Yamaha" on the lens! But I'm going to run just the one big piece of bodywork for now, no nose, no belly.

Not sure what to do with the seat. I could get the foam from Steve but that stuff falls apart when it's this old. Not sure what would look decent and hold up. I love the look of black suede but not sure how to go about doing it on this bike. Paint the front and seat back recessions black and just focus on the center seat area?

The 1.5 lb. (596 g) battery this S2R came with can be mounted anywhere as it's 1/5th the weight of the original. I don't miss the original wet acid DB1 battery. That was not a fun job.

I'm 5'7" (170 cm) so I fit the bike wonderfully and a big reason why it's one of my dream bikes. Without a nose fairing the air will be pretty clean at my helmet. Some bikes trying to keep me out of the wind drive me crazy because of the dirty / noisy air at my helmet.

The Rs used even higher pegs; can you imagine? Approximate DB1 strada position will be good. Bimotas are "sport" bikes for sure.

Best,
Adam
_________________
'85 Bimota DB1R (S2R donor)
'08 Ducati Desmosedici RR
'73 Ducati 750 Sport
'00 Ducati 996
'10 Ducati Streetfighter 1098
'69 Laverda 750 GT
'66 Velocette Venom Clubman
NorVin project (in progress)
Previous Bimota: '87 YB5