Sharkskinz Racing bodies

I spent the day fitting the Sharkskinz Racing bodies to my TriColor. It was an interesting exercise. First and foremost I want to thank another member - Vicious for his fantastic post on removing the front fairing. http://ducati1199.com/mechanical-technical/1068-how-install-hids-ducati-1199-panigale.html I was successful in removing the front and side fairings, headlight, and assorted plastic crap without damaging any of the pieces. I don't believe I would of been capable of making that statement without Vicious' excellent instructions.

Here's the executive summary: This kit is not made for folks (like me) who expect to return their bikes to stock trim after a track event. I ride with several friends who routinely move between skins. In my opinion there are two major reasons for this: 1. The 1199 has a high number of ancillary plastic components that need to be installed / uninstalled each time and their are extremely fragile, and 2. The sharkskinz fairings currently require you to mount a bellypan to successfully anchor the bottom of the left and right fairing. The mounting the bellypan requires you to remove both mufflers and associated brackets.

To address the bellypan / mounting issue I use some strapping tape on the exterior of the fairings to keep them in place and secure. I requested from Sharkskinz a review of other mounting strategies that might be used in lieu of the bellypan. (Pictures below)

Regarding fit and finish of the Sharkskinz product it was excellent except for the tail supplied did not match up to subframe. Speaking with Skarkskinz they believe that the Tricolor has a different subframe for the tail then the S model they used, I do not think thats the case but I will report back on what they find. All panels are predrilled with fasteners, the upper, air intake and left and right fairings where very easy to install once the stock equipment was removed.

Here's what the pieces look like:

More pictures

More pieces:

Finished

Upper, and sides installed, strapping for bottom fairing support and rear subframe with Sharkskinz tail (oops rear holes are about 4 inches off.) final - stock tail removed

Seems like a lot of work to swap for a track day. How much time would you estimate it takes to go back and forth?

The Catalyst mounted up easier than that, and doesn't require the oil pan to be mounted in order for the side fairings to be anchored. But I like the Superbike tail that SharkSkins has instead of using the stock seat. Looks like SharkSkinz extended their sides to be closed off after the air gap, so they might be a tad stronger. Do those ram air tubes attach, or are they just "wedged in there" between the fairing and airbox?

AntiHero said:

Seems like a lot of work to swap for a track day. How much time would you estimate it takes to go back and forth?

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Id estimate 2.5 hrs to tear down the bike once you know the procedure, 1 hr to install the race bodies, 30 minutes running back and forth to the fridge for beer.

It is a lot of work, I'm not sure if an justify in my one head.

Update

I've been conversing with the folks at Sharkskin and here's an update:

They will be producing a set of side fairings that are more street friendly that do not require the belly pan. The belly pan is required for racing in Florida so that was the priority. If you remove the radiator fan the belly pan can be modified to be placed into the bike without removing the exhaust. I will be sticking with my strap for the time being.

The tail is correct. It requires that you keep the chamber (part no. 28 on drawing 33 of the parts book) on the bike. I am going to order a spare as there is a ton of small parts that mount to it (including the rear tail lights).

This was a very expensive science project, I hope it helps others decide if it's worth the effort.

jarelj said:

The Catalyst mounted up easier than that, and doesn't require the oil pan to be mounted in order for the side fairings to be anchored. But I like the Superbike tail that SharkSkins has instead of using the stock seat. Looks like SharkSkinz extended their sides to be closed off after the air gap, so they might be a tad stronger. Do those ram air tubes attach, or are they just "wedged in there" between the fairing and airbox?

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The air tubes are wedged into the intake, they do not attach to the upper fairing. See my other post concerning proper mounting of the tail.

Skinz

Very good walk thru and photos man. Remember, nothing says these need to be "track day fairings only" They can be painted with a totally kick ... paint job and become your full time bodywork. All you would need to do is disconnect the mirrors and electrics for a track day (plus whatever bike prep the org requires to ride in their groups) Hold onto thos stock fairings forever and look into the custom paintjob idea. No one needs to put stickers and tacky paint work on Sharkskins to be a track bike!

BTW- I think my PM issue should be fixed.

How well do you think those intake runners will stay in place, are they in there very securely? We had a guy at one of our track days on an 848 a few weeks go who had the wedged-in intakes on his bike, and one of them worked its way loose and fell out on the track, destroying his front fender it the process.

Gunny Fitz said:

Very good walk thru and photos man. Remember, nothing says these need to be "track day fairings only" They can be painted with a totally kick ... paint job and become your full time bodywork. All you would need to do is disconnect the mirrors and electrics for a track day (plus whatever bike prep the org requires to ride in their groups) Hold onto thos stock fairings forever and look into the custom paintjob idea. No one needs to put stickers and tacky paint work on Sharkskins to be a track bike!

BTW- I think my PM issue should be fixed.

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I'll be contacting your bro at CCR about getting them sprayed up right!

jarelj said:

How well do you think those intake runners will stay in place, are they in there very securely? We had a guy at one of our track days on an 848 a few weeks go who had the wedged-in intakes on his bike, and one of them worked its way loose and fell out on the track, destroying his front fender it the process.

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I'll let you know when I get back Monday! They seem pretty wedged in, but you never know.

Maybe drill a small hole with a small zip tie wrapped through it or something?

jarelj said:

Maybe drill a small hole with a small zip tie wrapped through it or something?

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Good idea!

Last update

I've had several conversations with the team at Sharkskinz and I cannot say enough about their level of commitment and professionalism in helping me resolve my issues. The Tail indeed is correct, I needed to reassemble the Chamber section and it matched up perfectly. Finally they have informed me that they will be making a new set of non pan mounted fairings and will be sending me a set at no cost. Thats the way to keep customers!!! The whole experience could of been a bummer but Mary, Dave, Rick and Jason at Sharkskinz came thru when I needed them.

Sharkskinz - big thumbs up!

Not a big fan of that stock plastic piece having to stay on the subframe to mount up the tail, in a crash that thing could get broken and then you're stuck needing to buy a new OEM piece to get the race tail mounted up again. The Catalyst set has the same issue on the other end, they're using the stock ram air ducting piece to mate up to, so it has to remain on the bike and would probably get smashed in a crash and have to be replaced. So SharkSkinz upper fairing with Catalyst tail would seem to be the ideal setup! Maybe they'll take the cue from each other an improve their designs.

jarelj said:

Not a big fan of that stock plastic piece having to stay on the subframe to mount up the tail, in a crash that thing could get broken and then you're stuck needing to buy a new OEM piece to get the race tail mounted up again. The Catalyst set has the same issue on the other end, they're using the stock ram air ducting piece to mate up to, so it has to remain on the bike and would probably get smashed in a crash and have to be replaced. So SharkSkinz upper fairing with Catalyst tail would seem to be the ideal setup! Maybe they'll take the cue from each other an improve their designs.

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Agreed, I've been trying to source that part "the Chamber" Ducati part number: *483.1.171.!B *its listed on drawing 33 Item 28 of the Ducati parts Manual for the last two days. I figure it's easier to start with a bare chamber and keep the original OEM tail and lights intact. If you know of how to get one I will owe you a beer or 6.....

Two options: you can just order a new one for $138.99, they're available on our OEM parts ordering system, just use Part# 48311711B here:
Ducati Omaha Online Store

Or I may be persuaded to sell you the one I have sitting in a box in my garage that came off of my bike, since I'm using the Catalyst tail........... I was planning to sell the entire tail unit together but I could probablly take it apart. PM if you're interested.

jarelj said:

Two options: you can just order a new one for $138.99, they're available on our OEM parts ordering system, just use Part# 48311711B here:
Ducati Omaha Online Store

Or I may be persuaded to sell you the one I have sitting in a box in my garage that came off of my bike, since I'm using the Catalyst tail........... I was planning to sell the entire tail unit together but I could probablly take it apart. PM if you're interested.

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Check your PM!

Did Sharkskinz give you an ETA on the new bodywork being ready?