View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Gavin944888
Joined: 29 Jan 2014 Posts: 572 Location: Essex....way South of Scotland
|
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 10:56 am Post subject: Boxes from Rimini |
|
|
On Monday the 27th October 2 boxes with extremely lightweight stuff, floated into the works reception area, they were almost being juggled by a guy in a Black and Orange uniform.
Smiles all round...the order instigated in June has now been completed.
In the boxes were the parts needed to customize the DB9.
Don't worry.... there was no King and Queen seat or a backrest in sight!
Tease.. _________________ On an Island in the River Thames!
Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gavin944888
Joined: 29 Jan 2014 Posts: 572 Location: Essex....way South of Scotland
|
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 3:44 pm Post subject: Boxes from Rimini |
|
|
When the DB9 was down in Rimini having its exhaust fitted and re-flashed.
Massimo Gustato (chief engineer and the guy in the red T shirt checking the bikes at the BEW track day) was interested in the new foot-peg assembly modification and asked to be kept “aware” of what was being done to their thing of beauty, the DB9.
Especially as I explained to Masssimo and MariaElena (Bimota parts woman) my plans for the DB9 rear end, he nodded, whereas she looked horrified.
I might have got a better response if I had asked to buy her children…perhaps this is why it took so long to fulfill the parts order.
Once back in the UK in July, I had hard copies of the DB9 and DB8 parts manuals printed and studied both rear ends in great detail.
Armed with all the knowledge I thought I would need, I got ready to place my order.
No response.
The next week
No response
The next week and all the way through to Aug…..no response.
Aug………Italian shut down!! _________________ On an Island in the River Thames!
Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gavin944888
Joined: 29 Jan 2014 Posts: 572 Location: Essex....way South of Scotland
|
Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2014 4:12 pm Post subject: Boxes from Rimini |
|
|
Pause.........all photographs too big!!....as soon as resized I will add to post. _________________ On an Island in the River Thames!
Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger |
|
Back to top |
|
|
djt77
Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 413 Location: Perth, Western Australia
|
Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2014 7:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
Look forward to picture |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gavin944888
Joined: 29 Jan 2014 Posts: 572 Location: Essex....way South of Scotland
|
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 4:29 pm Post subject: Boxes from Rimini |
|
|
After being ignored I sourced a second hand DB7 (from Italy) seat unit and set about cutting it to fit. Might as well say sorry now!!
The seat assembly was a one piece carbon-fibre unit and needed to be cut and new seat pads made from alloy
It wasn't perfect yet but we were getting there
I fabricated a measuring jig with extending arms and 4 feet to bolt onto the existing DB9 rear frame.
This would allow the original Bimota DB9 unit to be taken away and the 'new' one to be made in alloy
....using the measurements gained from the adjustable jig.
The horizontal arm is for the rear light assembly positions. _________________ On an Island in the River Thames!
Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gavin944888
Joined: 29 Jan 2014 Posts: 572 Location: Essex....way South of Scotland
|
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 4:41 pm Post subject: Boxes from Rimini |
|
|
The standard DB8 is a self supporting assembly and although it could be done I wanted to keep the side plates of the standard DB9 although do away with the seat assembly and rear number plate thing.
The beautiful DB8 had a grinding disc taken to it and blue marking tape to guide me through the cloud of carbon-fibre dust!
The new seat pan had to be shaped to suit the new DB8 seat assembly
Once it was on the bike all looked good... BUT the number plate assembly was missing ....back to the internet. _________________ On an Island in the River Thames!
Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gavin944888
Joined: 29 Jan 2014 Posts: 572 Location: Essex....way South of Scotland
|
Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 5:25 pm Post subject: Boxes from Rimini |
|
|
That was version 1 and allowed me to see what could be achieved.
I contacted Bimota again and on seeing the progress they agreed to supply parts but wanted full details of build and finish .
Here it is
What a difference a properly mounted number plate assembly makes!
the original DB9 has a seat catch on the foot-peg (passenger) and the DB11( the version finally chosen) has the seat catch lock between the seat pads.
A bit of detailing was needed.... using a tie pin badge from the land of Oz......stuck into a machined and drilled bung!
The under seat tray trim had to be altered as the DB11 has its seat lock in a different place and lacks a cable/lock cut out....one step forward and another to the side...the Bimota shuffle
But its done......as are the new handlebars and foot pegs
The next needed altered was the seat ...
new upholstering from VIKING SEATS in Kent
They wanted to do alligator skin...I choose Suede with red stitching to match the original
And get official BIMOTA approval. _________________ On an Island in the River Thames!
Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger |
|
Back to top |
|
|
djt77
Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 413 Location: Perth, Western Australia
|
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 11:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
That looks fantastic, you have done a great job there, it looks as good as anything from the factory which is high praise as everything that leaves the factory is to such a high standard. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Gavin944888
Joined: 29 Jan 2014 Posts: 572 Location: Essex....way South of Scotland
|
Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 5:56 pm Post subject: boxes from Rimini |
|
|
Many thanks DJT77........it was a bit of work but worth it...I think it turned out well.
One of the hardest jobs was getting the final version to take the weight of the pillion
as per the initial DB9 design and use only Bimota parts (plus one or two others)
Thankfully Bimota helped throughout, without them it would not be possible...
only Bimota make handlebars 0.6mm smaller in diameter than anyone else....
and their reaction to the modifications is very positive.
regards _________________ On an Island in the River Thames!
Cagiva Elefant 888/955 & adventure sidecar
Cagiva Elefant 999r engined
Cagiva BIMOTA Motard Concept
BIMOTA DB9 (with DB11 rear-end)
BIMOTA DB7-11 VLX MULE (build coming to an end)
BIMOTA DB11 VLX Supercharger |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|