I think this will go here.. Ducati GTL 500

[go!]

Oh hello there..
Haven't worked on a bike for a while. Gumpy is in the works again, with some fresh paint and just took the front end off a Ducati GTL 500 because I think that'll do well for her.

This thread is really about that GTL 500. Gumpy's thread will come when she's finished..
So Dude and I just picked up this GTL. It's been sitting for several years, and the building it was at is being torn down.. no one has come back to claim it, so we removed it in hopes of giving it new life. So far we've torn it down to just the frame.
My feeling is that it will be more worthwhile to get a motor to fit the frame than to rebuild the original. I would like some input here. Kiley suggested an XS650 motor.. I haven't done any engine fitting into different frame stuff, and would like to do this bike up right for Dude. Pics to follow..

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Re: I think this will go here..

On board, ma'am.

 

[go!]

Re: I think this will go here..

So far..
Put the tank on Gumpy to give dude a visual before we tore down the Duc

 

[DesmoDog]

Re: I think this will go here..

Some guys used to fit Ducati singles into the paralyzed twin frames, but these days that's probably not very cost conscious.

 

[go!]

Also wanting to upgrade the front end because I want the original for Gumpy now

 

[VonYinzer]

Coooool. I really love an XS650 motor, but wouldn't suggest one personally. They are mondo heavy and would twist that frame up like a pretzel.

How about something off the wall? You're down there in gods country... Find a cool 250 single from a dirtbike or something. Or if you want some more real world performance from it, try something like an EX250 motor. Cheap, reliable, carbureted, etc...

 

[VonYinzer]

Hell, you could probably buy a wrecked EX for parts for a couple hundred dollars. Forks, motor, etc...

 

[Tim]

Fitting a different engine in there is going to be a challenge, as it's a stressed member of the frame, if I'm not mistaken. Can't just slap any old engine in there - would need to add engine cradles to the frame and make sure it was all done right on a jig etc.

The engine looks nasty, but often the dirtier the engine is on the outside, the cleaner it is on the inside.

 

[Maritime]

Sign me up to watch.

 

[Maritime]

That frame looks a lot like the CM400 CM450T frames from Honda, I wonder if one of those motors could be swapped in, not sure if they are stressed members or not on the Honda though.

 

[JustinLonghorn]

This is an EX250 frame...

 

[VonYinzer]

Atta boy Jussy...

 

[irk miller]

Gonna be swell... ;D Some of the enduro thumpers have stressed member motors- mostly small displacement. But I think the DR-Z400 has a bolt-in cradle on their frame. When broken down, it may not be very different than the Duc. Just mod in the cradle.

 

[Sonreir]

Subbed.

 

[go!]

I know he wanted something bigger than a 250, I'll look for the DRZ 400, and consider keeping the motor we've got. Needs a kickstarter (current one is broken off) so we can find out if she even turns. For front end, I was thinking sport bike but kinda want to see what he likes.