Ducati Panigale V4 916 25 Anniversario Build Thread

[BMW Alpina]

I was at the local Sydney Ducati dealer yesterday and saw the 916 Anniversary model there. They have number 275/500 and it has been sold. A really nice looking bike with that big number one on it. Very impressed. The price tag in Australia is a bit steep. $66K AUD was the apparent price. That is a lot of coin. I liked the fact that it comes with the magnesium wheels. They also had a V4R there as well which was also very nice.

Hi Brad,
Yes, it was love at first sight for me when I first saw a 916 25 Anniversario at Pro-Italia (a Ducati dealer in Glendale, Southern California) back in December last year.
Also, I wan to say thank you for the information on the serial number (I am compiling a list of every Ducati 916 25 Anniversario in the world) and their location.
The magnesium wheel really a throwback to the similarly colored wheel for both the 3 spoke and the optional 5 spoke wheel of the 916. I wouldn't want it in any other color

I've been waiting on my Aella clip-ons for 2 months....just 2 more weeks until I see my set..

Hi Torrific,
Same situation here where many parts delay me from really moving forward with my plan...
List of parts that is currently delayed for me:
a. MotoCorse Steering Stem Cover and Titanium Oil Filler Plug (with the MotoCorse logo), had been waiting since May
b. Rizoma rear view mirror (with turn signal) in Silver color had been waiting since May
c. ZETA Titanium front axle, had been waiting since May
d. SAMCO hose and Goodridge heat sleeve for brake line, had been waiting since last month
e. Goodridge custom kevlar brake and clutch lines, had been waiting since last month
f. EARL's flaring tool for solid tube brake line, had been waiting since last month
g. Ducati Carbon and Titanium parts, had been waiting for 3 months
h. Bonamici Clutch Half Lever for 16 RCS Corsa Corta (because they sent me the wrong one with the Brake Half Lever), had been waiting for 3 months
i. Heck, even the Brembo CNC Billet Rear Caliper that I ordered 10 days ago that was supposed to be delivered last Thursday by UPS were stuck at my local UPS hub because Race Technologies (Brembo Importer for US market) ask for Signature on Delivery... hopefully it will be delivered this week, or I will have to go pick it up at my local UPS hub (who conveniently closed on weekend).
j. Many parts at my painter were not finished because my painter oven was broken and the parts for the oven booth is in back order status

All the above really slow down my progress because some of the parts can't be installed without the other parts / process.


Anyway, I still manage to get this another productive weekend, and here is the update :
The thread insert to adapt the M10 holes to M8 holes arrived, I used High Strength Loctite to install it:




How the insert looks like after installed in to the hole, and the right picture show how it was holding the AELLA tie down plate to hold the Ducati by Rizoma reservoir, however, I don't like that the Ducati by Rizoma reservoir is not HORIZONTALLY Flat (in position), so I already have another idea to make it FLAT and will post it here soon



Now, this barb adapter below, will be anodized in gold soon, this will be part of another idea related to the rear brake...
however, I am not 100% sure that it will work until I buy another part,... so stay tune, this will be a great surprise it it work


continue next due to limitation on pictures per post:

 

[BMW Alpina]

Ok, so I am getting better at polishing aluminum to mirror polish and manage to cut the time from around 30 hours per part to a more manageable 15 hours per part
nothing to be proud (time wise) but considering I work with a simple Dremel (with 2 batteries that constantly runnng out of charge every 30 minutes).... I think I am quite proud of my newfound (amateur polishing) skill

First, I must say that I am inspired (and want to say Thank You) by the custom cnc machined rear suspension link that @Bruce Wayne made for his project and below is the picture of that machined link made by @Bruce Wayne:
(which I believe have slightly different geometry for a more progressive feel)



Since, I don't want to change my suspension geometry, but I do want the nice looks of a machined aluminum, I decided to .... just mirror polished mine :

Here is BEFORE:
Notice I used blue painters tape to cover the holes with the seal and insert. I asked my wife to cut a nice round blue painters tape for me since, I am not that patient in cutting paper :




and AFTER I Mirror polished it myself. I was looking for several coating to protect the mirror polished finished on this link because I will NOT anodize this link, because I don't want to have to press another insert/bushing, plus I worry the anodizing process might alter the fit of the hole for the insert/bushing, and after doing some research, I decided to just use a Clear Coat for Brake Caliper (spray can) that I already have from my car bike project long time ago.
It is a heat resistant paint (as you can imagine for brake caliper application), so it should be able to withstand the head radiated from the rear exhaust manifold. I plan to perform the clear coat today after I eat my very late lunch:
Also note, because a few years ago I work at a global casting company so I learn a bit about casting and secondary machining process,
so I decided to grind out the parting line from the casting process of the link so now it show a smooth (no bevel/step) surface and make the part look more like it was machined, or at least a cast part with a proper secondary machining process as it should be .



Now this is a picture that show all the suspension parts (plus MotoCorse right frame/engine bracket),
the first 3 parts from the left is all stock Ducati rear suspension link/bracket that had been mirror polished by me, and the last 2 parts from the right is MotoCorse CNC Machined Aluminum Parts:
I plan to anodized the suspension bracket (but not the link) to the same gold anodized color as the MotoCorse right frame/engine bracket as sample color:




Below is the picture comparison between Polished Forged Ducati Upper Rear Suspension Bracket vs. MotoCorse CNC Machined Rear Suspension Bracket, of course I plan to use the MotoCorse one, but I will still anodized the stock Ducati one so I can display in my future display box. Hence the mirror polishing to make it look nice and shiny after gold anodized:




Now this Ducati Lower Suspension Bracket will be installed on my bike after I anodized it in gold, and this picture is to illustrate how it's color should look like after gold anodizing:



But again, I can't perform the gold anodizing process, since I also want to anodized my MotoCorse Steering Stem Cover (which had not arrived yet despite ordering them back in May)...
hate the wait and delays...

 

[DucatiKev]

Damn

 

[KurtP]

Damn

Thats what i said.

 

[Keith197]

Have you weighed the difference in the stock vs MotoCorse shock linkage and engine mount?

 

[BMW Alpina]

Have you weighed the difference in the stock vs MotoCorse shock linkage and engine mount?

Good idea Keith197,
However, I can only weight the difference between the stock suspension bracket vs MotoCorse suspension bracket for now because I have not (and cannot) took out the right engine/frame mount since I still need to use the MotoCorse right engine/frame mount for the gold anodizing color sampling purpose...

but if I may guess... I think the MotoCorse suspension bracket will be heavier than the stock Ducati bracket because...

the MotoCorse is CNC machined from billet while the stock Ducati bracket is FORGED...

In fact, I strongly believe the Ducati bracket is actually more rigid/stronger than the MotoCorse bracket again because the Ducati bracket was FORGED... (even Ducati emphasis this forging process in their website or PR for Panigale V4)

However, no matter how hard I mirror polished the stock Ducati bracket, it will never look as nice as the MotoCorse bracket... so in my case "the eye candy factor" win (for me)
ok, I will post the weight soon... need to type some important email first...

 

[HKMP7]

Have you weighed the difference in the stock vs MotoCorse shock linkage and engine mount?

Engine mount weights
Motocorse 259g
Stock 213g

 

[BMW Alpina]

Engine mount weights
Motocorse 259g
Stock 213g

Thanks for the information on the right engine/frame bracket weight, HKMP7

OK, here are the weights for the rear suspension bracket,
Left picture is Stock Ducati FORGED rear suspension bracket, and on the right is the MotoCorse CNC machined rear suspension bracket,
and based on the current polished condition, the MotoCorse bracket is 5 grams heavier.

Considering I took a good amount of material while mirror polishing the stock Ducati bracket, there could be possibility that the Ducati bracket (unpolished stock condition) might be a few grams heavier than the MotoCorse bracket.

However, please note that the MotoCorse bracket have those 4 rectangular holes as a weight reducing measures and they still weight 403 grams
so I still believe the Ducati FORGING process for the Ducati Stock bracket is actually "TECHNICALLY SUPERIOR" compare to MotoCorse CNC machining process. (in both weight and strength).

Those CNC machining process sometimes might actually weaken the part due to the stress during machining.
When I machined my car front rotor and front Brembo bracket a few years ago, I also ordered "stress relieve" process for this reasons.

But again, everyone have different priorities and application, and in this particular "EYE CANDY" application for my bike, CNC machining win (the beauty contest) by far
but if I am planning to use my bike on the track, I will stick with the stock Ducati FORGED bracket.

Also, notice that MotoCorse now only offered 2 color for this bracket, either black or silver. When they first launch this product, they also offer in other anodized colors.
I bet they received a lot of complain from customer who experience discoloration due to the heat from the rear exhaust manifold very very close to this bracket ,
that is why I will not anodized this into gold color and just leave it in anodized silver as delivered by MotoCorse.

Plus, I think it will look nice with the combination of the Upper MotoCorse suspension bracket in anodized silver with the stock Ducati lower suspension bracket in anodized gold
(well, hopefully I am right, because there is no turning back after I gold anodized it )

Here are links to some good webpages explain a bit into Forging, Casting and CNC machining:
Forging, Casting and CNC Machining
When to Forge and When to Machine





By the way, I was too excited in clear coating the rear suspension link earlier today, causing the paint (clear coat) too thick and forced me to remove the paint (using brake cleaner) and also perform another polishing...
this is earlier today when I use my bench press to hang it and paint it... bad choice since the wind blow hard on my backyard... so next time, I will paint it inside my garage... maybe next weekend

 

[BMW Alpina]

Oh, one more thing...

If you are thinking of replacing your rear suspension upper bracket with this one from MotoCorse, and if you want to properly mounted it (torque it right) and prevent from marring the nice anodized machined surface finish of a MotoCorse part,
the only way to do this are:
a. remove the rear subframe
b. remove the muffler and rear exhaust manifold
c. remove both rear sets
d. remove the rear wheel
e. remove the rear swing arm (this is a must otherwise, you won't be able to properly torque the 2 center bolts and you will for sure scratch the surface of your MotoCorse rear bracket)
f. remove other things that I forgot to mention

I never thought that I will have to remove the rear swing arm, and MotoCorse actually wrote this paragraph (copy and paste in italic font below) in their webpage for this parts:

Link to the MotoCorse webpage: Rear shock support - Panigale V4 - Ducati - Brands

Motocorse rear shock support is made of aluminium alloy (Anticorodal) and constructed through the use of CNC machines. The finish is obtained by anodic oxidation, available in two different colors : Silver, Black. Perfect substitute for the original one, Motocorse rear shock support is supplied with everything you need for installation and it's easy to install.




Yap, MotoCorse actually wrote "it's easy to install", saying this statement as misleading is really an understatement because installing this MotoCorse rear suspension bracket is more "involving" then installing an Akrapovic full system exhaust...
because the only part of the stock exhaust that I did not took out was the front manifold... and when you install Akrapovic full system exhaust, you don't have to take out the rear swing arm...
plus, MotoCorse did not supply anything needed for the install, they only supply the bracket and a small piece of paper saying this might not legal for road use in your area

but... even if I know all the above before I purchase it... I will still purchase it

 

[Keith197]

Who's jumping on the motocorse billet fork lowers?

 

[BMW Alpina]

Who's jumping on the motocorse billet fork lowers?

Have you order yours?
I believe I read on one of your previous post a few weeks ago in another thread that you were considering the MotoCorse Billet Fork Lower Bracket,

It really looks nice, and if our Ohlins forks had their emblem/brand written on the upper shock tube/body instead of the stock lower bracket, I will buy this MotoCorse Billet Fork Lower Bracket...

I mean look at that (pictures below)... so so nice, (so WSBK) however for me, the Ohlins emblem/brand still take priority over MotoCorse emblem so I cannot buy the Motocorse one

Please post pictures if you bought and installed it

 

[Keith197]

Likely with the extra time during the offseason.

 

[Raul1976]

Hi Howard I got the micro switch for the clutch to work. I put the bike in gear on bike stand to check if it worked correctly. I cut the green cable off completely and used only black and red. By the way is it necessary to polish the forged aluminium parts in order to anodise them? Which parts are you planning to anodise? Thanks

 

[BMW Alpina]

Hi Raul,
Congratulations with the microswitch setup. that is great news. However, since my clutch lever will be the RCS16 Corsa Corta (while yours is RCS16 non corsa corta), so there is a good chance that the Kohken Switch might not work at all for me.
(mechanically not compatible, not electronically)...well, I guess I will found out by the end of the year, when Brembo finally release the new RCS16 Corsa Corta to the market....

You don't have to polish an aluminum part before you anodize, but since the anodize is just a thin (almost transparent) film, then the result will be a matte finish. It is still will look nice if yo prefer a matte anodized finish and as long as there is no scratch.
If you recall, your Bonamici dashboard cover was anodized, but since you did not polish out the Bonamici logo, then even after you anodized it to silver, that Bonamici logo still can bee seen....

so if you want shiny anodized, you will have to mirror polish before you anodize it.

The parts that I plan to anodize is the Lower bracket only (but not the link).

Note: I should order the Motocorse steering stem cover through JapanParts like what I told you to... because until today, I have not received mine... just because i want to use my rewards point at Bellissimoto at that time...
while you received it within like a week, right?

 

[Raul1976]

Hi Raul,
Congratulations with the microswitch setup. that is great news. However, since my clutch lever will be the RCS16 Corsa Corta (while yours is RCS16 non corsa corta), so there is a good chance that the Kohken Switch might not work at all for me.
(mechanically not compatible, not electronically)...well, I guess I will found out by the end of the year, when Brembo finally release the new RCS16 Corsa Corta to the market....

You don't have to polish an aluminum part before you anodize, but since the anodize is just a thin (almost transparent) film, then the result will be a matte finish. It is still will look nice if yo prefer a matte anodized finish and as long as there is no scratch.
If you recall, your Bonamici dashboard cover was anodized, but since you did not polish out the Bonamici logo, then even after you anodized it to silver, that Bonamici logo still can bee seen....

so if you want shiny anodized, you will have to mirror polish before you anodize it.

The parts that I plan to anodize is the Lower bracket only (but not the link).

Note: I should order the Motocorse steering stem cover through JapanParts like what I told you to... because until today, I have not received mine... just because i want to use my rewards point at Bellissimoto at that time...
while you received it within like a week, right?

I see so If you polish before hand you get a brighter finish. I was thinking of Anodising the bracket in front of the rizoma sets, engine Brackets and suspension brackets. Yes I ordered it and I had it within a week. Your advice was spot on. Do you think it would be possible to match the rizoma sets?

 

[BMW Alpina]

I see so If you polish before hand you get a brighter finish. I was thinking of Anodising the bracket in front of the rizoma sets, engine Brackets and suspension brackets. Yes I ordered it and I had it within a week. Your advice was spot on. Do you think it would be possible to match the rizoma sets?

Hi Raul,
I am afraid, it might not be a perfect match, the reason is because the Rizoma Rear Sets is made using CNC/Machining Process, so it inherently have better surface for anodizing, while all the Ducati parts you mentions above are either Forged or Cast Aluminum.
I mean, if you are doing a very good mirror polishing, it might be close... but, to make sure, you might want to consult with your anodizer.
hmm... I still think it will be different because I suspect the "alloy composition" of the Ducati part and the Rizoma is different too so their color will not be the same...

Regarding the suspension brackets, you might want to think about it again.. because as I posted above, it will require you to take out the swing arm to install properly (and make sure you will not scratch it)...
and taking out swing arm means taking out exhaust (rear manifold and lower muffler) too, and of course the subframe....

Engine bracket and the bracket in front of the Rizoma is easy to take out though...

 

[Raul1976]

Thanks for the great advice!

 

[Raul1976]

Hi Howard do you have a picture of the titanium radiator cap you purchased? Thanks

 

[BMW Alpina]

Hi Howard do you have a picture of the titanium radiator cap you purchased? Thanks

well... that is another parts that still delayed... it's already with DHL in Germany (the postal service not the express service) since June 30 but haven't been transferred to USPS (nor arrived in USA USPS facility)...
I actually worry this package is lost... hopefully not... because it have lots of other parts in there...

 

[Raul1976]