Custom belt cover - fun Friday afternoon project

Side veiw

From clutch side

After installation, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

I always liked the open belt approach - it really shows the mechanic side of the L-twins engine. I was thinking to run open (without covers); but it's hard to let go the beautiful carbon fiber cover. So I decided to do something in-between - modify the stock part. It gives the bike a custom feel without breaking the bank. This is not my first time; but this is the first time on 'larger scale' Carbon Fiber.
I think it turns out nicely - I could be opened a bit too much - oh well, it's ok. I still have the stock part just in case. Will work on the upper cover later - let's see if I can get used to it first =)

Close up right before 3 layers of gloss paint

Wet sand at 1500 sand paper

Rough cut...

This was my setting - with a running vacuum to reduce dust level

Let's the fun begins!

After installation, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

Amazing sunset in Bay Area fog

Amazing sunset in Bay Area fog, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

Took this on my way home from work - the sunlight over fast moving fog was pretty amazing. Too bad all I have was just an iphone...

Sunday small group ride

Sunday small group ride, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

Meet up with a local Sport 1000 LE owner for a quick Sunday spin - man, the weather was perfect! Everything was nice except there were load of cops out there with radar guns. Feeling lucky to come home without ticket =)

Dainese 4 Stroke Leather Gloves

Dainese 4 Stroke Leather Gloves, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

While my bike still in the shop, let's go shopping! Just kidding... but I do need a pair of shorties to fit my jackets better. The sleeves of both the Racing jacket and the HF Special jacket just a bit too long for the long gloves to handle. So... I picked the 4 Stroke. After 5 weeks of wait finally it arrived. After close inspection I found out that It's not as well made as Piston (sold on Ebay a year ago); but the 4 Stroke is still pretty nice - and it's a lot cheaper - $60 cheaper then the original Piston. Seriously I don't where Dainese cuts corner.... But it's for sure looks good and feel good for me! One small complain - the pinky has a lot of protection - which is good; but it's pretty painful to break-in. Oddly enough, the higher priced items like Full Metal actually needs less time (if not none) to break-in. I guess that's where the fitment and craftsmanship comes in.

Yeah, it's like Christmas in July =)

Dainese Racing Jacket - my latest jacket addition

Dainese Racing Jacket, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

I have been eyeing on a new leather jacket for some time since I sold my beloved Delmar jacket few weeks back - and finally I found this nice white Racing jacket (big thanks to Mike at D-Store San Francisco). One thing I learn from my old Delmar jacket is that the so-called aerodynamic spoiler is really unless POS when it comes to street riding. My suit has one - it looks cool and fast, and it keeps my temperature down during the hot day. But in the case of jacket, especially without vent, it just adds extra weight without any real benefit. In fact, it creates problem when I use backpack. So it's time to get something simple and light wight for work day riding. The fitting of the Racing jacket is great. It's light in weight (comes without heavy liner) and fit me really well compare to the new Delmar, Alain, and Santa Monica (BTW, Santa Monica is one of the very best jacket out there; but I was informed that it will be discontinued in next season - that translated into big saving at the end of this riding season. Anyone interested, make sure add yourself into D-store mail list).

Next thing will be nice shorty gloves...

Escapism from barry munsterteiger on Vimeo.
Found this very nice video from my local riding forum - all the roads are local, and it really connects to the way that I ride when I am out there - get away from the daily life, having fun and speed on the open roads in control manner - no dragging knees, no wheelies, no drama. Good job buddy!

Friday backyard ride

Friday backyard ride, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

Got of work early and taking the advantage of summer sunlight; I took a quick local run with the newly acquired Dainese retro jacket after the Triumph Demo Day at Ace. Too bad I am not my Classic but still worked out nicely. Love the fit and style... I look soooo 70's LOL

New addition - HF Special Leather jacket

New addition - HF Special Leather jacket, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

Lucky me!!! Great find from Craigslist - it is a older retro style Dainese HF Special Leather jacket from 2007 model year. The leather is a bit dry but without over stretching or road rush. After some love (cleaning and leather conditioner), it looks great!!! Perfect match with my Classic... that's if I get my Classic back >_<

Weekend solo run

Weekend solo run - Pan Toll Road, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

It has been too long since my last solo longer run. I was really excited but the weather just refuse to cooperate... It was really a lot colder than I expected, especially along the coast line. I was planning to go to Stewart Point but end up turned back few miles down after Janner- if I am not enjoy it, why bother? End up I spent more time at the sunny area - which is around Point Reyes Station and Stinson Beach. Still a nice ride after all... =)

2011 Ducati model lineup

Just found this clip online for 2011 model lineup with Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, Streetfighter and Superbike. Enjoy!

As much as I love Arai, the pod system really bothering me. It's loud (wind noise), changing shield is painful, and it's un-relible. This is the second time it fails on me - luckily both times happened off ride. Odd thing is both failed on the left side... But I have to said the warranty is great - file my new open ticket online and got respond and confirmation on the following day. Hmm... will I buy Arai again? Really not sure... So far 4 of my Shoei (RF1000, and three X-11s) are all fail proof - nothing broke even after I crashed! What can I say???

HW 1 from above

HW1 from air, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

My recent business trip to China gave me a chance to see the beloved HW1 from above - it's so beautiful.

Cop on my butt again - Speeding this time!

Cop on my butt - Speeding this time!, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

Well... this is one of the worse long weekend ride. I got caught speeding at the Nicasio which well known for speed trips. I always super slow at that section of the road but it seemed like I picked up too quickly. Man, this is my second ticket in 6 months...

Marshall Petaluma Road solo ride

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Marshall Petaluma Road solo ride, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

I took a different route today just to make my solo ride a bit more interesting. Scenery over Marshall Petaluma Road was very nice but the roads really needs a serious fix... All in all it was a nice Sunday morning solo ride. BTW, it's was my 'new helmet break-in ride' too. Can't complain about the graphic of my new DP Clutch helmet; but I have been struggled with one major issue: the helmet opening (mainly the top area) isn't as big and tall as my Shoei X-11; and I can't see too far enough unless I purposely tilt up my head. The new helmet also a lot louder than my old one once it's over 70mph... Well, really not sure I will keep it... Need to think about it...

Riding report of the reflashed ECU from Redline Motorsports

Reflashed ECU is back!, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

After almost 2 weeks the ECU was back yesterday from Redline. It was just in time for the weekend ride. Took me 15 mins to put eveything back in order, and my bike fired right up. At idle, engine running at 1300 to 1450 - not exactly way off; but for safety reason I still pull my bike in for TPS reset first thing on following morning. I noticed two things had been changed without riding it: the greeting turned into 'Redline Motosports', and the reading unit is in EU setting (in KM/HR and in degree C). But beside that everything seems normal... it was all dark out so had to wait unit the morning to test it... believe it or not, I was so excited that having a hard time falling asleep LOL.

Put my new suit on and get read to ride to Ace, and I already feel the HUGE DIFFERENT in engine respond. One word - SMOOTHHHH..... no more flat spot or power surge. The bike run even smoother after Ace fixed the throttle cable and sync the TPS. Following is the summary of after 150 mile ride with the reflashed ECU:

- More toque at first and second gear
- Flat spot and power surge almost completely gone. If the problem that I had before was in the scale of 10, and I would say I have 1 or 2 now. It still there; but I have to really purposely looking for it.
- Exhaust pop had been greatly reduced. Only happens in aggressive down shift now.
- Exhaust value was disabled. I have already disconnected the valve control unit before the ride, and I got no engine red light after 150 miles - meaning ECU does send or look for the valve control unit at all.
- Feel like the pipes run a bit hotter but not to the point bugging me. It could be dun to the warmer weather and my new one piece leather suit.
- Engine oil temp remains the same as before.
- 4th gear and above remains the same.
- Somehow feels like the bike being a lot more responsive; but it could be the result of throttle cable sync.

In general I am very happy of the result for now. Keep in mind that I have not done any additional tuning yet like Dyno - it's just 'stock' from Redline. I will for sure let Ace look into the FAR but so far I think it's pretty close. Congratulation Dave at Redline - you are the man! I would recommend his service to any Streetfighter owner!!!

For full discussion, check out Ducati MS thread.