I'm looking for advice.  I have recently received a Woodcraft tank cover for my Monster 1100S:

I'm looking for ideas of how to paint it.  My current bike has the red frame and I like my current gloss black and Twinline logo (a custom paint job, by the previous owner):


If I can find a way of smoothing out the central ridge (like Anchorism did on his version: http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=62943.0) I was thinking of doing something like the same off centre stripe on my helmet:


The guys I was planning on buying the decal from (Collidascope, in Hornsby) have suggested something like the Darmah but with the decals in red, not gold (because of my red frame):

That way I could have the triple pinstripe down the centre and leave the tank as it is.  I'm not convinced.

Anybody got any good ideas?  It is essentially a blank canvas, albeit the red frame may limit choices.  How big a deal is it to have the frame repainted?

For what it is, I like the idea of the stripe like the helmet. It might make it look odd though with the helmet being flat and the tank being gloss. But it would still look cool.

Just food for thought.... when i did mine, I had originally planned on doing a red s#r style stripe down the whole bike.  However, when i got rid of the raised center it just looked so clean i didnt want to take away from the beauty.  I felt that if i had put a stripe down it, it would be no different than just leaving the raised center.  Personally i think the red frame is what really makes the sssa monster stand out.  Color wise though,  i think a light metallic would make it pop.  Maybe like a black with a little bit of flake.  I mean, the black already looks good but the metallic portion would help it stand out from the crowd a bit more as well.

My favorite for the red frame 'new' Monsters is the Corse (tank) design.

http://databikes.com/infophoto/ducati/compare_monster_796_corse-2011.html

Thanks for the feedback. I have a few weeks to decide, as the guy I'm talking to about doing the job is away.

I debated matt black, but think I prefer the gloss. Matching the helmet doesn't matter, I'll be changing it in a year or so anyway. I just used it as inspiration.

I agree with the Corse being the best, with a red frame. That or the pearl white. I'm not really interested in replicating the Ducati tanks. If I'm going to the effort of painting, I want something unique. My painter suggested the Darmah, as he is working on a similar decal set and could do me one in red, rather than gold.

How big a job is it to paint the frame?  A black frame would open a lot of options to me.

My next bike paint job will be a white frame yellow bodywork SL style paint job

Frame is a pretty muc a complete tear down rebuild but for a duc notmasmmuch as you think.

That's what I figured I wouldn't do it myself though. Better somebody who knows what they are doing.

Cost in hours is high for that. Where are you

Newcastle. Australia.

I'm probably going to stick with the red frame, unless I come up with a fantastic paint scheme that requires changing it.

Here is the new, improved Woodcraft cover.  Fibreglass fill to get rid of the silly raised bit down the middle and around the petrol cap.  I haven't got time to try it on the bike today, maybe on the weekend.  Then to get the painter involved!

Off-topic, but I have nearly the same bike and that helmet; what do you wear for a jacket?

In the winter, a Rev'it CR:

and in summer a Rev'it Galactic:

Here we go (lots of pics):





It's a pit the seat sticking is not hidden under the cowl (it was being painted when I had the seat done), but I don't like the vinyl anyway so now have a good excuse to redo it.  I'm not sure about the 'Made in Italy' decal.  It wasn't part of my design but was added by the painter.  Otherwise, I am very pleased.