Alright, let me tell you about my Ducati S4RS project. This thing was a beast, and I learned a ton working on it.
First off, I picked up the S4RS used, but in decent shape. The previous owner had done some stuff to it, but I wanted to make it my own. The first thing I tackled was the exhaust. The stock one was just too quiet, and frankly, ugly. So, I ripped that sucker off. It was a pain getting those header bolts loose – they were seriously seized on there. I ended up using a torch to heat them up a bit, and finally, they gave way. I went with a full Termignoni system. Sounds incredible, like a proper Italian V-twin should.
Next up, the suspension. The stock suspension wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. I wanted something more adjustable, so I swapped out the rear shock for an Öhlins unit. That made a massive difference in how the bike handled. It felt much more planted and responsive in the corners. Getting the preload and damping settings dialed in took some time and a lot of test rides, but it was worth it.
Then came the brakes. The stock Brembos were good, but I wanted better. I upgraded the front brake lines to stainless steel braided lines. That improved the feel at the lever quite a bit. I also flushed the brake fluid with some high-performance stuff. That made a noticeable difference in the stopping power, especially under hard braking.
Of course, no project is complete without some cosmetic changes. I replaced the stock mirrors with some smaller, sleeker ones. I also added a carbon fiber front fender and a tail tidy kit to clean up the rear end. I even changed the grips to some Rizoma ones, they felt much better in my hands. Small details, but they made a big difference in the overall look of the bike.
There were definitely some challenges along the way. Stripped bolts, broken connectors, and moments where I almost gave up in frustration. But that’s all part of the fun, right? In the end, it was incredibly rewarding to see the finished product. A Ducati S4RS that was truly mine, built with my own two hands.
Lessons Learned:
- Don’t underestimate the power of penetrating oil and a good torch when dealing with stuck bolts.
- Take your time and double-check everything. Rushing leads to mistakes.
- Invest in quality tools. They make the job much easier and less frustrating.
It was a blast, and I’m already thinking about what project to tackle next!
