This cock-up wasn't the Duc's...
This cock-up wasn't the Duc's fault, but rather a negligent owner's.
Miles Ridden: 4000
Mods: Tires, frame and axle sliders
I'm not one to complain, but this month I was foiled yet again by the cantankerous Italian beauty I call my Streetfighter. She sure is easy on the eyes, but there's hell to pay if you're not playing by her book.
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa...
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP
Front 120/70-17
Rear 190/55-17: Check local dealer
us.pirelli.com If you read my longterm intro last month, you know I picked up a nail shortly into my stay with the Duc. After an up and down wrestling match with leaking plugs and bubbling patches I stretched enough miles out of the stock hide to not feel bad about wasting such a new tire. I eventually took delivery of my Pirelli Supercorsa SP tires, but when I went to install them I couldn't, for the life of me, get the front axle out. As I removed the axle nut not only did pieces of threads fall to the ground, but the end of the axle looked like Jaws from the old James Bond flicks had been chewing on it. After reluctantly giving-in to the notion that I had to hammer it out, the realization that a previous rider forgot to grease the axle became my painful reality. They hammered it in, which not only killed the threads, but ensured that I'd have a helluva time getting it out. Furthermore, the bearings were toasted because the dry axle-spacer was spinning and jamming on the bearings. Needless to say, a simple tire change turned into a multi-day ordeal.
SpeedyMoto Frame and Axle...
SpeedyMoto Frame and Axle sliders
Frame sliders: $149.95
Front/rear slider: $64.95 each
speedymoto.com Many moons and a new axle later the Pirelli hides were mounted and I was ready for action. The Supercorsa SPs have held up well to freeway miles thanks to the hard central compound, but I'm looking forward to properly testing their soft compound side grip level at an upcoming trackday or two.
Which leads me to my other mod; frame- and axle-sliders. Quality sliders are a must on any bike. Notice how I said "quality," that's because I've seen too many cheap sliders snap off in a crash and actually cause more damage. With that as my motivation I chose SpeedyMoto units that feature hard HDPE sliders and CNC'd aluminum hardware. I hope I never have to test their integrity, but I'm confident they'll hold up if tested. I also chose to add matching axle sliders since the easier the bike slides on the tarmac, the better. If it hooks an axle, bar end or the like while sliding, a lowside can become a yard sale.
So with sticky tires in check and sliders abound I'm back in action and enjoying the Duc more and more with every mile.
Coming next month: Slip-on exhaust and fender eliminator