Author: tougeexpress

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2 minute read

The parts are in and the reassembly has begun.

Yamaha declares that their vibration tuning is key to the smoothness, integrity and character of their bikes so I did a U-turn on massively modifying the front end and instead am rebuilding with new parts wherever the previous parts were broken, damaged or just worn out.

It’s amazing how many individual parts go into this Lego-like front end. I’ll do a parts count up in the end maybe.

Notice the crack in the top left of the lense? It was barely noticeable after the crash but has since, with the cold maybe and some prodding and squeezing, grown into a serious crack. Incidentally, you can’t buy the light by itself. It comes as part of a pre-assembled set, already mounted on the headlight stay like below for around 100,000 yennies. Ouch!

Anyway, it’s coming together and a handy thing is that the whole front end is a single unit that bolts ap to the headstock with just four bolts. That means I can build it up in the comfort of my study with the heater on in my pajamas. 😄

To be honest, this should’ve been done a long time ago but I’ve been distracted by another set of wheels with a lot of nostalgia and deep feelings attached that’s found its way to me…more on that some other time maybe…

The Beast is back!

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Like peeling an onion, removing the layers to get to the bolts holding the radiator and busted bits in, which were likely easily accessible before but now cloaked in dislodged plastic and twisted brackets. And once stripped, that radiator was similarly twisted on the impact side and didn’t want to budge. It was a little wedged in there.

Was also filthy as it hadn’t had its usual thorough cleaning after such back roads adventuring. Made for some dirty work.

After removing all the ancillaries and wriggling it around a bit, it came out alright.

Look how that top row has been peeled forward. The whole right side of the radiator is twisted out of shape with small dents on the exiting pipework.

The MT10 has a larger metal and a smaller plastic radiator fan. That smaller one got squished between the radiator and head.

Left some small plastic meltages on the head but seems the radiator indentation took the brunt of the force.

Gotta add a rad fan to the parts list now, too.

Could’ve been a lot worse. Had my fingers crossed the radiator could be salvaged but that’s not gonna happen. Fortunately, the oil cooler below the radiator is not damaged. Filthy yes, deer rammed no.

I’ve already sourced most of the front end parts discovered mangled in the front end teardown. Some parts are new and some are in great condition but used and significantly cheaper.

Now with a complete understanding of the damage, next up will be a complete list of the remaining parts to be sourced, a thorough cleaning and of course opening the wallet for parts.  Then the rebuilding fun begins!

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That big 659cc single cylinder and conrod spinning around between your shins like Thor’s hammer while your perched atop its paranormal suspension with the near telepathic quickshifter and deft brakes merciful of daft indulgences is quite a ride.

The more time aboard this quite un-Ducati contraption, the less clear it became what or who was the tool of conveyance here. It’s good, molto molto good!

It’s a lightweight at 151kg and 77hp but with a large dollop of modern Ducati refinement to round the rough edges off the big single, it had me wondering more than once where it came from.

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There’s some hair in there! Oh deer.

That’s far more complex than it looked before.

It was just this little DRL. Who knew it hid so much?

Right, let’s start stripping this back…

Oooh…the LED from the DRL still works. Good.

The dash isn’t cactus! Yes!

The impact just uncoupled a couple of connectors. Easy and CHEAP fix. Phew!

Starting it up and…

No error codes funkiness. 🤞

Of course, a test ride could reveal a lot more. Next on the agenda.

Relieved of the carnage, it is far simpler and less hideous.

So, left with a box of parts, some deer hair and some rays of electrical hope.

Next up will be exploring the damage to the right side and radiator.

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Hillclimbing Fuji is always fun and often frought with weather challenges. September is typhoon season but still has a decently long day of sunlight at 12.5hrs. so with a long weekend to allow for prep and copious salutations to the Weather Gods on Saturday, riding on Sunday and recovering on Monday, it was go for the first Fuji 500.  32 signed up, but…

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