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DB7-11 VLX MULE resurrection
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Gavin944888



Joined: 29 Jan 2014
Posts: 572
Location: Essex....way South of Scotland

PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 3:12 pm    Post subject: DB7-11 VLX MULE resurrection Reply with quote

Hello.........here is the start of a thread.....


For those who were unaware, I decided to build this thing after BIMOTA firstly reneged on their promise of sell me the factory version,
then sold it (Aug 2015) to an Italian collector of some note and more worth than me....

and secondly ....after they took my deposit (50%) to build the IMPETO supercharger to my specifications, seat design and colour choice....
then after 10 months and avisit from myself to the factory in November 2016, admitted it was all too much for them!

Not feeling bitter, I thought the best thing was to pool my contacts...to see if any of them could help....I was going to build it myself!


If you google the DB11VLX you will see 2 versions...

A version with nice new bodywork from a DB11 (black framed)
and another scruffy red framed DB7 faired work horse with duct tape
which they allegedly covered 10000 kms on with a Sprintex supercharger.


The black framed DB11VLX was sold on to the aforementioned collector and according to the factory (when quized in early Nov 2016)
the red framed version could not be found and they do not know what became of it....if it ever existed!


And this is where we are at...........

a contact found a frame for sale.....a factory 2008 DB7 frame
and swing arm with no frame markings, RED and self induced
rust marks, although the swing arm was stamped and marked as it
should be...although it had a relieved welded section near the shock absorber.

There was nothing wrong with any of the items...
they had not been down the road or the subject of a crash
for example BUT looked like someone had tried to 'age' them or 'devalue' them.....who can tell or knows.

The alloy CNC frame side plates were supplied in Silver but also a set in Black...

I had only ever seen this at a Italian exhibition and never in real life.





With the main frame, came some other sections and a chance to buy lots of other bits..up to then.....unavailable to the likes of me

...a full alloy custom fabricated race swing arm item...for instance





A shopping list had to made and the decision on either to buy a donor Ducati Diavel bike and trans assemble all the bits.

Or build a complete one from parts sourced as I go...all had to be calculated and costed.





As I have a DB9 and had restyled it so that the standard 'short' rear end was extended by subsituting and machining a DB11
rear end to suit, I had a fairly good insight into the way Bimota build things.

I also had a good relationship with MariaElena (BIMOTA PARTS DEPT) who had helped out on various Bimota themed things in the past.






By the Xmas 2016 shut down, I had made my mind up...

partly after being offered a 1305 mile 2014 Diavel Engine, wiring loom and fuel injection system for a very good price.....under £1700.


Having the DB9 since 2013 had meant that I had acquired some spares:
Bimota Fuel Tank, complete Carbon rearend seat assembly, gear levers, lights,
and a Carbon bellypan from a DB7, (but fitted the DB9) which I had seen going at a reasonable rate....so it was time to calculate.

Buy a damaged Diavel at £8500 or a good one at £11500 use what I needed and sell on all the rest except the frame and V5
...maybe get £3500-£5000 back then add all my NEW BIMOTA purchases

Or buy all the second hand BIMOTA spares that I can and buy from BCP and the likes... plus add in my Ducati
contacts in Holland and Germany....who also get Bimota stuff.


By January 2017........I had decided..

stay tuned in for next section.

A big thanks to Admin Katy for accepting my images and doing 'something'..... so that they fit the forum page.


Gavin
_________________
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
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vort28



Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 2194
Location: Northwest , UK

PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 5:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gavin , you tease !!!!

Black side plates !!! Not seen those before .
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TVRRICH



Joined: 05 Feb 2016
Posts: 211
Location: Coventry UK

PostPosted: Mon Apr 24, 2017 7:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for posting Gavin, cant wait for the next instalment. This looks like it will be a great topic to follow Very Happy
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Gavin944888



Joined: 29 Jan 2014
Posts: 572
Location: Essex....way South of Scotland

PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 5:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Vort...the black side panels were a but unusual to say the least.
Can't really say which is best...black is on the build as we speak,
but may change before the front and rear ends are attached

All the other engine to swinging arm billets were supplied in black...so this may be the final choice.
.....might have to see both on to make my mind up.

But all the suspension arms etc are all in silver....choices, choices.
Although the final colour for the frame is Satin Black ...likewise for the forks, wheels and swinging arm.
...so a bit of contrast may be needed....but no purple or green anodising!


Gavin
_________________
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
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vort28



Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 2194
Location: Northwest , UK

PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 1:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Strangely enough I saw a picture of a DB7 with black plates but red frame yesterday, it did'nt really look right TBH , if black plates a black frame may be in order, and as your frame needs painting !!!! Laughing
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TVRRICH



Joined: 05 Feb 2016
Posts: 211
Location: Coventry UK

PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 4:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[img][/img] Is this what you are trying to replicate(Amore stand NEC 2015)
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TVRRICH



Joined: 05 Feb 2016
Posts: 211
Location: Coventry UK

PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 4:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[img][/img]
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Gavin944888



Joined: 29 Jan 2014
Posts: 572
Location: Essex....way South of Scotland

PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 6:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello...TVRRich.....no, what you have posted is the Impeto, based on the DB9 and then re styled.
I am useless at posting images and use the kind services of Admin to host and resize any images.
The item I am trying to replicate or really resurrect is the DB11VLX mule based on a DB7 with a supercharger stuck on it.
There was no carbon frame or exocita....just a standard DB7 with a Diavel engine in it and a Sprintex Supercharger bolted to it.

If I can send Admin an email then of course I will post the image of the actual bike along with my sketches
of the bike I wanted Bimota said that they would build for me

Regards

Gavin
_________________
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
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vort28



Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 2194
Location: Northwest , UK

PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 7:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There you go Gav, as if by magic.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/new-bikes/2013/may/may1613-supercharged-bimota/



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TVRRICH



Joined: 05 Feb 2016
Posts: 211
Location: Coventry UK

PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 7:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ah i see now!!, thanks for the pic vort. I dont mean to be thick but on the photo's i posted what is the black cover on the side of the engine, it looks like a pulley cover to me, hence why i thought it might be what you are trying to build
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Gavin944888



Joined: 29 Jan 2014
Posts: 572
Location: Essex....way South of Scotland

PostPosted: Tue Apr 25, 2017 8:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

TVRRich....your are correct, that is the belt drive for the Bimota Impeto Supercharger .
the mark 2 Supercharged Bimota ...if you wish.
Although it was a mock up only....never ran,...
.Bimota stopped short of developing the software and testing it.
The photo which Vort has kindly posted was the version 1 although...
they went through about 2 air box designs and at least 3 pulley arrangement designs.
I am in touch with Davide Commandini...he worked on the VLX versions from 2008 through to 2015
when he departed Bimota and all development finished.

Prior to joining Bimota he was at Benelli......and singlehandedly developed the VLX Supercharger..
There are YouTube videos of him and the bike.
It was a meeting with him in 2014 which put me on this path.

This is the RED frame bike...mule..test bike...the one sold to the Italian collector
was a black framed new build version of this more skin to the styling of the DB11VLX.......
where as this is the DB7 frame and body style version using the Ducati Diavel 1198 wet clutch engine...the one the factory could not locate

More pictures will be posted .....soon

Gavin
_________________
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
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vort28



Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 2194
Location: Northwest , UK

PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 8:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shame I did'nt take picture of the one I saw ( I was not allowed), but yes it was a complete new bike, very nice finish with the Oronero dash and gps system
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TVRRICH



Joined: 05 Feb 2016
Posts: 211
Location: Coventry UK

PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 10:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the explanation Gavin, i think i have seen the you tube footage, is it the one where the two American guys visit the factory then test ride some of the latest bikes then talk to the guy who is developing the supercharged bike then he fires it up ?
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Gavin944888



Joined: 29 Jan 2014
Posts: 572
Location: Essex....way South of Scotland

PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 10:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The frame came back from the powder coaters and after an initial rejection and re coat .........all was ok.

The rejection was caused by 'fluid' coming out of the 2 tapped M6 bosses on the inside of the frame section at, roughly, the airbox level.








You can see the tapped bosses welded into the frame spars.









The worlds most expensive fairing bracket at 650 Euro was offered up to see if all fitted....it did and I cried once more at the attached invoice.







Here we have the swing ing arm.......










An internal shot of the swinging arm.

Shows the cut away for the shock...I had a similar issues on The DB9

The spring 'moves as it is used' and rubbed against the inside of the arm.

The sring on the EXTREME is of a smaller outside dia than OHLINS or MATRIS

Gavin
_________________
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
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Jonny B Bad



Joined: 05 Dec 2009
Posts: 554
Location: NE London

PostPosted: Wed Apr 26, 2017 3:29 pm    Post subject: DB7 - 11 Reply with quote

Do you not think a supercharged Diavel motor lacks ambition, compared to say a Warp Drive Laughing
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