Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Accessories & Mods => Topic started by: mickb on August 01, 2012, 01:53:05 AM

Title: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: mickb on August 01, 2012, 01:53:05 AM
Although I'm happy with the look of my (Evotech) tail tidy and small license plate, in the wet its not too clever, spraying the back of the bike with all the crud on the road  :(

What I'm considering is fitting a flip-down 'flap' which hinges behind the plate, which in the dry will sit fairly flush and out of siye, but in the wet can be 'sprung down'.

Pyramid Plastics have a fixed version (called the Ductail), was just wondering if anyone has tried anything like this?
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: mickb on August 01, 2012, 02:02:26 AM
sorry, forgot to add link:

http://www.pyramid-plastics.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3308 (http://www.pyramid-plastics.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3308)
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: stopintime on August 01, 2012, 02:47:51 AM
The only simple solution I've seen was a buddy attaching a mouse pad with strong paper clips  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: Raux on August 01, 2012, 02:53:46 AM
(http://986forum.com/forums/attachments/general-discussions/15906d1326284111-mud-flaps-sam-mud-flaps.jpg)    [Dolph]
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: Nero-92 on August 01, 2012, 04:46:34 PM
Live with the crud for a wee bit and then clean it off thats what I have to do
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: mickb on August 02, 2012, 12:30:38 AM
Thanks Guys for your helpful suggestions!

All I need now is a mousemat with that graphic, and a paperclip, perfect  [roll]
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: Raux on August 02, 2012, 03:31:48 AM
Quote from: mickb on August 02, 2012, 12:30:38 AM
Thanks Guys for your helpful suggestions!

All I need now is a mousemat with that graphic, and a paperclip, perfect  [roll]

;D

(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/35595_138311096225627_4655789_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: freeclimbmtb on August 02, 2012, 03:41:17 AM
Ride with a passenger..  [evil] ;D
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: Raux on August 02, 2012, 03:57:45 AM
Quote from: freeclimbmtb on August 02, 2012, 03:41:17 AM
Ride with a passenger..  [evil] ;D

[laugh] [clap] but you'll get this from the passenger  [bang] >:(
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: teddy037.3 on August 02, 2012, 09:10:08 AM
seems to me that ductail is pretty unobtrusive... you could just mount it and be done with it.

otherwise, a trip to the hardware store would give you plenty of options for a DIY flippy tail



:edit: sometimes function wins the day
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: Düb Lüv on August 02, 2012, 04:10:23 PM
Quote from: Raux on August 01, 2012, 02:53:46 AM
(http://986forum.com/forums/attachments/general-discussions/15906d1326284111-mud-flaps-sam-mud-flaps.jpg)    [Dolph]

I have the matching floor mats. For real
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: mickb on August 03, 2012, 12:00:20 AM
This site is always good for a giggle  [clap]

I need a small (sprung) hinge which would ideally either hold the ductail in a down position, (hinge would therefore be open), but would also be sprung when closed (to hold it behind the licence plate.
Anyone know what type of hinge would do this?
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: wannabfast on August 03, 2012, 12:46:36 AM
ive been picking at this issue too, i think either bolt a functional extension at the base of the plate, or flip the adapters around to have the plate sit lower
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: Raux on August 03, 2012, 02:06:41 AM
you guys do know the stock tail does all this  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: mickb on August 03, 2012, 02:38:58 AM
oh yes!
The whole point was to retain the chopped, minimal look with the practicality of some protection in the rain, hence a folding 'guard' which could be concealed behind the plate when dry.....
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: Raux on August 03, 2012, 02:42:29 AM
I think a sliding guard would be cooler.
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: mickb on August 03, 2012, 03:18:35 AM
...and should I 'motorise' it too, or design a hydraulic mechanism which triggers automatically when it rains  ;D
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: ducpainter on August 03, 2012, 03:21:33 AM
Quote from: mickb on August 03, 2012, 12:00:20 AM
This site is always good for a giggle  [clap]

I need a small (sprung) hinge which would ideally either hold the ductail in a down position, (hinge would therefore be open), but would also be sprung when closed (to hold it behind the licence plate.
Anyone know what type of hinge would do this?
I've never seen a hinge that would do that.

How about a latch for the up position?
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: freeclimbmtb on August 03, 2012, 03:37:29 AM
Quote from: Raux on August 03, 2012, 02:42:29 AM
I think a sliding guard would be cooler.

BMW R1150R Rockster has a sliding guard... 
(http://cmgonline.com/images/stories/archives/CMG_test_rides/03_BMW_Rockster/BigP/Rockster_rear_wheel_bg.jpg)

cant really see it, but theres a flat plastic slide up under that ugly tail that extends down about 4 inches...
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: mickb on August 03, 2012, 03:55:13 AM
Thanks DP. If I use a latch for the UP position, what type of hinge would I need so that it would be under tension when its open, I assume the opposite of a standard sprung hinge which uses the tension to close?
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: ducpainter on August 03, 2012, 04:34:19 AM
Not sure...

This site may be helpful... http://www.mckinneyhinge.com/catalog/kb.cfm?kb_id=162 (http://www.mckinneyhinge.com/catalog/kb.cfm?kb_id=162)
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: Raux on August 03, 2012, 04:51:38 AM
Quote from: mickb on August 03, 2012, 03:18:35 AM
...and should I 'motorise' it too, or design a hydraulic mechanism which triggers automatically when it rains  ;D

actually a spring attached to it that keeps it up, then a clip that holds it in the down position.
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: teddy037.3 on August 03, 2012, 08:53:54 AM
I approve of the idea to use a linear actuator to deploy said ductail  ;D

latches? we don need no stinkin latches!
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: seevtsaab on August 04, 2012, 05:27:13 AM
This is a little more KLR than BMW. I've shortened it a bit since this photo. It can be flipped around up under the tail, or easily removed, it's fastened by two large plastic nuts / bolts. Nowadays the beemer often gets the call when it's raining.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hbJscsud7Mc/T6UEIzFk8HI/AAAAAAAACXw/KhmQeJXL1yI/s640/P1010757.JPG?gl=US)

the ductail tour looks promising, I'd be skeptical the sport version would help much.
Title: Re: Hinged rear 'ductail' ?
Post by: mickb on August 04, 2012, 11:51:43 PM
Thanks seevtsaab, yes, I did think the tour version would be more effective, but put the wrong link in my post  [roll]