obsessive compulsive disorder

**Twinshock** · 14 Jul 08, 08:49 PM

Following the collection of my 1st Ducati (Classic 1000s) just over three weeks ago something strange has happened. I've rediscovered a passion for my bike and this also includes cleaning, is that perhaps the smallest speck I can see tucked in that corner? Mods so far have been sprocket down to 14 teeth at the front which has made a huge difference in town and thank you to the forum for the tip. It came with termi's and has been run on open pipes since I have had it apart from last Sunday afternoon when I put the baffles in to see what it was like. They came back out within minutes of being home again but I do need to find a mid way point as that glorious sound bounces off the streets of London like nothing else and it can only be a matter of time before I have a chat with someone dressed in fluorescent yellow. Has anyone been brave enough to cut the baffles as discussed on another forum?
I have a QB hugger and am not sure about its looks and I think it may bounce slightly on the tyre - if anyone else has fitted one have you had any issues with the fitting?
The first service was done last week and its been good to get the additional power but this has really highlighted how poor the forks are. New springs will follow in the very near future as soon as I can find where my wife has hidden my debit card. I was fortunate enough to bump into and have a conversation with Tim Maccabee, MD of Ducati UK. He was very keen to get some feedback on my impressions of the bike (and the ‘brand’ in general) but would not let me have an Ohlin’s upgrade for my time! As for the riding position – I picked the bike up in the rain and for the first nervous 30 miles thought I could not live with it. However, as soon as you get over the initial shock it’s not too bad! It’s fine on a 30 minute trip through London each day and has been no problem on a 150 mile run out. I’m down to Plymouth in a couple of weeks so will see how I feel at the end of that. I have yet to get a paddock stand but have purchased a Baxley sports choc which is a fantastic piece of kit – highly recommended and the bike is unbelievably solid when parked in it. Overall impression of the bike is good and it certainly draws attention for its looks as well as its noise. I’m looking forward to getting out to some of the meets as my wife has got to the stage where she strangely doesn’t want to discuss the bike anymore! Is it always like this with a Ducati?

**shivertown1** · 14 Jul 08, 09:15 PM

[I have a QB hugger and am not sure about its looks and I think it may bounce slightly on the tyre - if anyone else has fitted one have you had any issues with the fitting?]

The only trouble I have had with mine is 3 small stone chips on the rear, this is caused by the 5mm aggregate that they use on the roads over here getting stuck to the tyre, this only seems to happen a low speeds such as when turning in to a parking spot, apart from that I am really happy with the look and the amount of cleaning it saves

**Dave G** · 14 Jul 08, 09:42 PM

The hugger is on my list....its a big list though.Not entirely convinced by the coloured ones though(whether the shade of red matches or not) and will probably get a black one as they seem a bit more subtle.
I'm holding out for the Keihen pipes though as I think they look nicer.
14 tooth sprocket was fitted to mine before I even rode it, it seems to be a theme with almost all Ducatis,I've done it with all of mine. I also fitted a bigger slave unit and this has made a big difference to riding through towns or traffic.

I'm still surprised by the amount of attention these bikes get when you park them up, perhaps thats to do with the rarity as much as anything( as far as I know mine is the only S in the whole of Scotland and therefore rarer than D16s

), I was in Inveraray yesterday- the first run in ages for me, the 1098R parked up there didnt get a second glance, my 1000S had a permament audience, the same when we parked up later that day in Tyndrum.
I've heard the Termis on a GT and thought they were a lot louder than the Desmosedici that was out on the same run, too loud for me, I've seen a few posts on cutting down the baffles which is a form of compromise and though the guys who've done it are pleased with the results I havent heard them yet.
Always keen to hear what others have done to theirs, and, why they did it too.

**Kes** · 15 Jul 08, 06:19 AM

Hey Gitty,
belated welcome to the site.
Glad you're enjoying the bike, and very glad to have another Sport Classic owner!
To me, a large percentage of the joy of owning these bikes is cleaning and fiddling with it (just as well in this climate!) and perhaps you're right, it is the perfect make and model for people with OCD! I've also noticed that you seem to get a disproportionate amount of ooh-ing and ahh-ing.
Like you, I ditched the baffles from the Termis on my Paul Smart, and it does sound the tits - I wouldn't worry about it, as long as your bike's taxed and insured, the police are too busy stopping kids binge drinking and stabbing each other to worry about it..famous last words! I haven't fitted a hugger to mine as the off-set rear shock is out of the firing line from the rear tyre, and I like the "open" look of the back end. Do post some pics of your bike, and if you're in Plymouth let me know, maybe I could pull some strings and get you a ride out with the SW Breakfast Club!

**Twinshock** · 21 Jul 08, 09:58 PM

I've heard the Termis on a GT and thought they were a lot louder than the Desmosedici that was out on the same run, too loud for me, I've seen a few posts on cutting down the baffles which is a form of compromise and though the guys who've done it are pleased with the results I havent heard them yet.
Always keen to hear what others have done to theirs, and, why they did it too.[/quote]

The termi's are great out in the open but going through London every day the noise is too much of a 'look at me' and means you need to behave. So, I've started the modification of the baffles now. Left as they were ther were far too quiet. I have started by taking 3 inches off and this doesn't make much difference at tickover but does allow for a slightly louder roar after three thousand revs. Not quite there though, they still need some more attention to get the right level. As soon as I can get my hands on a decent drill there will be a couple of holes added at the end to liberate a few more decibels