2003 Fighter inbound

I have a couple of Italian bikes and used to have a 2004 Mille Factory that I did not gel with. However last week I decided that I fancied a Gen 1 Tuono.

I did a deal on one at Drayton Croft. Looks lovely and glad to say that they are a good supplier. I asked them to check over the known weak areas which unearthed seizing dog bones, partially seized swing arm pivot, so it is undergoing a full rear end makeover.

Get it next week I hope.

Anyway it has gold fork legs with Ohlins decals which I just put down to a previous owner being a bit sad and putting Ohlins stickers on. However they do look a lot like the forks from a 2002 Tuono R Limited ? Perhaps an expert on here can help with identifying them for me.

Hopefully the picture uploads ?

Had quick look on there website

From zooming in on pics they look like Showa Forks, either been re coated or had the showlins conversion on them

But with a clearer pic will be able to clarify

I can email one to you ?

Allan

allan

no probs

i'll pm ya my email addy

Welcome Pr, hope yer gel wae yer new machine.

greetings and salutations PR

I am sure the Tuono will be fine, its not like I don't like Italian stuff. I have a modified MV Agusta F4 312RR rocketship and a slightly more sedate 1993 900SS.

I would love to show you all photos but for some reason they wont upload.

A

Just copy the img from yer host for yer pics and paste it on yer post. There used to be a how to on here but I can't find it, maybe brooksy will help yer oot, he managed to find it a while back.

I know the bike,they are indeed showa forks painted to look like Ohlins. Give the bike a good check over when collecting from Drayton Croft. Don`t think I need to say much more!

2000r1 said:

I know the bike,they are indeed showa forks painted to look like Ohlins. Give the bike a good check over when collecting from Drayton Croft. Don`t think I need to say much more!

Click to expand...

To be fair to DC I asked them to check all the known weak areas and provided a list. Upon checking it all seized dog bones and partially seized swingarm spindle was discovered. This meant a full strip of the rear end. This then uncovered a crack around the gusset of the spindle hole in the frame.

So at this point we could just unwind the deal or locate another frame and carry out a rebuild. We elected to go down the rebuild route and an HPi clear 2003 Fighter frame with v5 was sourced and the rest of the bike was built into it. So far so good and sterling work from DC.

The poor blighters have had to buy a frame--New head bearings--New bushes for dog bones--New bushes or bearings for swing arm--New oil & Filter--New Coolant--and a multitude of small parts.

The net result is that the owner himself delivered the bike a week ago and provided all of the paperwork including a new 12 month MOT and proof that they have advised DVLA etc of the new frame/reg etc.

It did develop a minor leak from the oil return hose from oil cooler to oil tank but I replaced the **** Aprillia sprung type hose clamp with a jubilee clamp and all appears well. I am riding it up to Dc tomorrow so they can check the whole thing over again and to complete a permanent repair to the oil hose.

It has not been a trouble free journey but the supplying dealer has been as good as gold. It is after all a 10yr old Italian motorcycle.


Regards

A