Desmotimes axle cover plate (m900) review

[erkishhorde]

(picture from desmotimes website)

The Desmotimes axle cover plates came wrapped in a paper towel to keep them from clanking against each other and where then surrounded by some air bags. The cuts are all very clean and crisp. The fit is very snug on my '95 m900. So snug that when you accidentally over tighten your chain tension you actually have to take them off to slide the axle forward. It takes 2 hands to take them off too. Either that or a small screw driver to carefully pry them off. Overall I'm very pleased with the Desmotimes axle cover plates. It's great to not worry about marring up my swing arm when the crappy stock cover bends while you're tightening the axle nuts. 

Things to watch out for:
As stated before, it can be difficult to take them off so be careful not to over tighten your chain. Also, if you're using a spooled rear stand be very careful of the clearances. I didn't check before hand and right after I put them on I marred the left hand one up pretty bad when my pitbull stand got caught on it.     Luckily I got a spooled/non-spooled stand so I flipped it around to the non-spooled side so that I don't mar it any more than I already have.

[sydmonster]

Cool! Nice write up.
...can I ask if you purchased this from a retailer, if so whom? - Chris

[CairnsDuc]

Desmotimes 

[Howie]

http://www.desmotimes.com

[Slide Panda]

Cool! Nice write up.
...can I ask if you purchased this from a retailer, if so whom? - Chris

What they said.  There's also Corsair Industries who makes similar billet parts

http://corsair-industries.com/parts/Ducati%20Billet%20Parts/

[erkishhorde]

What they said.  There's also Corsair Industries who makes similar billet parts

http://corsair-industries.com/parts/Ducati%20Billet%20Parts/

The two axle covers aren't exactly the same though, just extremely close. Desmotimes gives you a little arrow to line up with the markers on the swing arm. The Corsair one doesn't and only has the opening instead. Small difference but just thought I'd mention it.

[Slide Panda]

Yep - that's why I put 'similar'  Also Corsair offers a model to fit 17mm axle, steel swing arm ducs, Desmotimes doesn't.  Also it seems Demotimes versions are only available in aluminum color, Corsair offers a number of Anodized colors. 

Both are good products, I've got the Corsair ones but my decision between to two came down to the fact that Corsair was a sponsor at TOB, when I bought the parts.  IF that wasn't the case, I'd probably have done the Desmotimes ones.  LT Synder runs a good operation

[erkishhorde]

Yup, as Yuu stated there's a limit on colors for Desmotimes. IIRC when I bought mine the Desmotimes ones were $5 more expensive too. I can't remember why I picked the Desmotimes ones over the Corsair. I think I liked the little arrow. 

[Fresh Pants]

Cool on the Corsair. I've been looking at the Desmotimes, but I have a 17mm steel swingarm.
Yay! Time to spend more money!


*just noticed cool, they even have fancy mirror plugs if you want. For now I think I'll stick with my $0.59 plastic caps.