V4s Build - From Start To Finish

Andy7 said:

Well said, 100% agree with that confidence statement. I'm planning to do most of my own mods/upgrades seeing as I enjoy that strategic process of making it all work out. I also reckon it'll make me a better rider having a closer understanding of the particular bike I bought. Hopefully I'll be able to upload my own build thread as I go. Cheers!

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endodoc said:

When I built my first “ground up” 1299 5 years ago I was truly introduced to the brand form an engineering perspective in design, manufacturing and component selection. There are some interesting design aspects of the bikes both a aesthetically and mechanically unfortunately there are a myriad of inherent problems and head scratching issues as well. The hardware is the worst in the industry, the castings are crude and poorly finished, the ability to consistently provide surfaces that seal correctly plague every model and seem to fall on def ears when complaints flow in. Lastly the electronics from a “gimmick” perspective are nifty and I say gimmick because the number of owners globally who actually even fiddle with these things is infinitesimally small however the electrical components and harness assemblies are junk. Most owners are oblivious to these issues. They ride the bike and then it goes to the dealer to get fixed and they are all sent away with the same message “It’s a Ducati, it’s supposed to be like that” “it’s all part of the Ducati experience”The bikes are for sure the best in the industry with regards to aesthetics but they are for sure over priced for what they deliver and I think this thread sheds a bit of light on how for the money, Ducati could deliver a bit more than they currently do without much effort. Nice write up.

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endodoc said:

That last statement was well said and a catalyst for a more harmonious relationship with your bike. At some point your bike will require maintenance or some invasive intervention in or out of warranty, the more familiar you become with things the less aggravating things will be. You will learn the short cuts and procedures that make owning these things a bit less frustrating and you will save a pile of $$$. It can be intimidating at times but it will be a rewarding experience.

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topolino said:

I would agree that having a better working knowledge of your bike does place you in a better position when things go wrong (as they often do with any mechanically based object). If you have the time to figure out how things work and/or are assembled, it takes the uncertainty out of knowing how to deal with a problem, especially so when it comes to some of the more intricate systems, such as the electronics and suspension. Good luck with your future build.

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topolino said:

I would agree that having a better working knowledge of your bike does place you in a better position when things go wrong (as they often do with any mechanically based object). If you have the time to figure out how things work and/or are assembled, it takes the uncertainty out of knowing how to deal with a problem, especially so when it comes to some of the more intricate systems, such as the electronics and suspension. Good luck with your future build.

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F3BobaFett said:

awesome build, looks amazing and great attention to detail. But for the life of me I cannot understand why you put those ugly as all hell indicators back on the rear? A nice set of the moto gadget m-blaze would of been nice and discreet.

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ArcticWhite said:

Is there any change to the padding with the seat or just a different seat cover?

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topolino said:

Initial assembly started with the engine naturally. Stripped of all or any attached components, about the only thing fitted to it, as it sat on it's stand was an anodised oil filler cap from CNC Racing, the first of many aftermarket parts on the shopping list. First job was to refit the anti-knock sensors. Next was the RPM pick up sensor and the cooling system thermostat and hoses. It was also the first of many referrals to the torque settings list for the bike. I simply printed the relevant pages from the workshop manual and ticked them off one by one, as I went along.

Rather than repeat myself, take it as read that every fastener be it a bolt, screw nut or washer, shown in images on this thread, unless specified otherwise, is either titanium or stainless steel.

Anti-knock sensors (25Nm) and RPM pick up sensor (10Nm)

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Bought a box of 8mm and 10mm bright heavy duty zinc plated pipe clips, to replace all the stock black steel ones, which corrode way too easily.

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Purge lines and distributor rail fitted with new clips where necessary.

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Purge rail and pipework, SAMCO hose kit and thermostat housing back in place. The manual states 2Nm for the clips but I tend to tighten these by feel alone. It is important not to over do it however as the plastic bosses on the T-stat housing are prone to crack or deform if you do and leaks from this region are going to be a major headache if you have to address them later on.

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The thermostat housing itself requires the use of narrow band Jubilee clips. 'Mikalor' are one of the few that make them in stainless steel. The ones SAMCO supply in their kit (JCL make them) are simply too wide.

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Secondary air system refitted to both cylinder heads

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Here the secondary air system, thermostat, inter-cylinder hoses, purge lines, knock sensors and MAP sensor hoses, clips etc., have all been fitted. This completes everything that should reside under the airbox of a Panigale V4 and is the last time I'll see it (hopefully!).

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LeanFocus said:

Would you have a full bolt list for the titanium and stainless bolts you replaced? Would you be willing to share?

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topolino said:

Not that long. The vast majority of the fasteners on the bike are M6. Fairings and typically smaller components are M4 or M5 and suspension parts are often M8 up to and including M12. It was more a case of going through each fastener I removed once the bike had been stripped and making a note of the qty. and sizes required, as well as the style/profile of the head (ie allen, torx, philips, domed, socket cap, tapered, pan head etc). Similarly with the washers and nuts, the type and size needed (ie plain, serrated, spring washers and for the nuts...hexagon, nyloc, metal locking, flanged, half or full size, left or right hand thread etc. If anyone in interested I can post up a list with the size and dimensions for all the bolts replaced to date and over the course of the entire project.

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