Ducati Panigale V4 916 25 Anniversario Build Thread

[BMW Alpina]

Weekend update

I spent my whole weekend learning how to polish aluminum parts.
I need to polish the original rear suspension lower bracket and link because I want to anodized them in Gold (to make a nice color contrast with the silver anodized MotoCorse upper rear suspension bracket).

If I anodized them as is (original matte surface), then the result will be a dull looking anodize finish and I prefer shiny one.

So, first, I tested the abrasive tools and process by getting rid of the mark on the stock upper rear suspension bracket then polish it...
I figure, if the result is not good, I am going to replace this part with the MotoCorse anyway so no harms:
I use painters tape to masked the area that was good and only exposed the bad area than secure it on a clamp:


I start sanding it using the flap sand paper tool, then continue using the most abrasive polishing wheel with the most abrasive compound (I used my Dremel with the long cable attachment which make it easier then directly using the Dremel):



The marked is completely sand out, then I start polishing it using the red roque softer compound with the less abrasive tools:


And the result is very nice:



So now I am ready to work on the LOWER rear suspension bracket (left picture), while right picture shows the result after I am done with rougher sanding to remove all the matte finish:



continue below due to 10 pictures limit:

 

[BMW Alpina]

But this polishing process was really time consuming that I spent about 6 hours on Saturday and another 6 hours on Sunday, (many hard to reach area and complex geometry).
I just finished 15 minutes ago, and I decided to continue next weekend.

I am sure a Professional metal polisher will be able to do in shorter time with better more powerful tools and technique, however, I am guessing, it would take them at least 2 to 3 hours minimum, and in my area, they charge $125 per hour...
On this lower rear suspension bracket alone, I spent about 8 hours but still, it is a good way to learn a new skill and at $0 labor cost, I am still quite ahead of $250 to $375 if I let a professional metal polisher perform this for me...
Since I have 3 other parts that need to be polished, it might cost me around $1,000 with the professional polisher,... so I think I will be spending the next few weekends polishing aluminum
Beside, I am still waiting for more parts to arrived anyway before I can take this parts to the anodize shop.

I managed to finish the polishing process (to the softest compound) on one side of this bracket.
If you notice on the picture below, the right leg is already polish to the max while the left side only up to the sanding stage, and you can see the right leg is shinier.


Also, the shortest stubby torx bit arrived from Amazon, and if you plan to use a lot of ProTi Torx style bolt, this shortest stubby torx bit is a must. I am able to use it to torque the oil line bolts with very tight spaces between it and the front exhaust manifold easily. Pictures below (please pay attention on the picture that show height comparison):

 

[Raul1976]

Amazing Howard! Thanks to you inspiring me I have bought the Brembo Rear Master Cylinder to clean up the messy set up on our bikes.

 

[BMW Alpina]

Amazing Howard! Thanks to you inspiring me I have bought the Brembo Rear Master Cylinder to clean up the messy set up on our bikes.

Congratulations Raul1976,
Which model did you bought?

 

[Raul1976]

 

[Raul1976]

There is this option if you prefer. I like the 40.

 

[BMW Alpina]

Nice choice, and like you, I prefer the 40 also.

 

[endodoc]

The Suter is half the price and the same part

 

[endodoc]

Hey Mr Alpina where are those short Torx sockets from Amazon made?

 

[BMW Alpina]

Hey Mr Alpina where are those short Torx sockets from Amazon made?

Link to Amazon: Amazon.com: Vim Products MMS450 Stubby Set, 50 Piece: Automotive
and
They are Made in Taiwan:

 

[chris320]

Amazing Howard! Thanks to you inspiring me I have bought the Brembo Rear Master Cylinder to clean up the messy set up on our bikes.

great choice! interesting to see if you have any issues connecting master cylinder up to brake pedal, (hopefully you can just replace all the standard parts from the bike), and i assume the brake switch will still be ok as its not mounted on the brake cylinder. i would be interested in seeing brake line connection too. (without the standard banjo fitting)

 

[Raul1976]

Custom made piece to go under OEM nose. The Llmberger one does not fit standard fairings so we customised it

 

[BMW Alpina]

Custom made piece to go under OEM nose. The Llmberger one does not fit standard fairings so we customised it
View attachment 32839

Very creative Raul,

If I am not mistaken, the purpose of the 2 clamps and both end bolted is to Press the Ilmberger parts to Confirm with the original parts shape. If this is correct, how long did it take for you to press it?
A few hours or a few days? and did you apply heat to help the process?

Last, on the center front of the part, did you cut and then use epoxy to glue it back to conform to shape? if not epoxy, what kind of glue did you use?

 

[Raul1976]

Hi Peter is doing the job for me. Thanks

 

[Raul1976]

Also on the sides we have two black sections and there is a plastic section which is not painted black. I am having that painted gloss black to matched I’ll send some pics when done. I think it will look cool. The rear master cylinder has been dispatched so hopefully I will get it on next week and let you know if I encounter any problems with figment. By the way any ideas on how I can fit the staubli fittings on the GP4 RX Calipers as there is only one point to fit a banjo bolt so how would you bleed?

 

[BMW Alpina]

Also on the sides we have two black sections and there is a plastic section which is not painted black. I am having that painted gloss black to matched I’ll send some pics when done. I think it will look cool. The rear master cylinder has been dispatched so hopefully I will get it on next week and let you know if I encounter any problems with figment. By the way any ideas on how I can fit the staubli fittings on the GP4 RX Calipers as there is only one point to fit a banjo bolt so how would you bleed?

I took at look at GP4-RX calipers pictures on Brembo website (link below) and like other normal calipers, they have Bleed Valve and a port for the Banjo connection. So you will bleed from those normal bleed valve.
Aren't your GP-RX calipers look like the one below?

100 mm “GP4-RX” Radial Billet Caliper Kit

 

[Raul1976]

Yes but if you fit the staubli connections how can you bleed? Where does the bleed nipple go? You only have one output.

 

[Raul1976]

Hi sorry I understand. So there are three different versions of the gp4 RX. The 100mm version for the Ducati has one exit. The 108mm and 130mm version of gp4rx for other bikes has two outlets. So the one for our bike will not work with staubli fittings. You have to install the Bremen ms Calipers which is double the price. I have already installed them on my v4 and fitted the MS to my F4. So no staubli fittings for me. You can install them with your Stylema Calipers though. You could always have them nickel
Plated.

 

[Raul1976]

Picture of my set up.

 

[endodoc]

That’s um, interesting.