True DucatiPerformance
Ducati TurboMonster
Project By: Bill "AzBill" Johnson (azbill@DucCutters.com)

The Turbo Monster project bike is now 99.9% complete. No project bike is ever complete, they are just abandoned for something different to work on. I have a few new ideas I'm perusing. The project bike is looking great and running even better. The TurboMonster is now making close to 60% more horsepower at the rear wheel than the stock M900.

My project bike is a 1996 Ducati M900. The bike was originally owned by a friend of mine, Chauncey, who bought the bike new in '96 with the "PCS Turbo Kit" at Dave's Cycle Service (Dave Hull) in Mesa Arizona. The bike was somewhat unstable and problematic. I bought my first Ducati from Dave's that same year, a 900 SuperSport.

I have always been interested in muscle cars and seeing Chauncey's turbo monster just got me thinking about it more and more. Over the years I heard other riders talking about spending thousands of dollars on head work and 944 kits, just to get 98 Hp out of a 904cc SuperSport/Monster engine. To me seem like a small forced induction systems would be cheaper, a lot less work and repeatable.

In 2000, I added a Nitrous system to my SuperSport, which was very fun but only usable on the track. My friend offered to sell me the Turbo Monster, so I jumped at the opportunity (He currently has a 916SPS and a 748R in his Ducati collection). Other then the turbocharger, the bike was pretty much stock.

The first phase of the project was to get some eDUCATIon on turbochargers and the "PCS Turbo Kit". I found out that PCS Daytona only made 14 of the kit's and I was unable to find any of the owners. I found several sources for information on "Forced Induction Systems" and started a collection of them on a web site for my own use, which I make into a public site later for others to use (TurboMonster.com). After striping the bike down and replacing the old tubing, hoses and belts I was ready to work with Tom Hull, a local master Ducati mechanic, who was familiar with the bike and a friend of mine from "Team Wreckless". Tom Hull and I (mostly Tom) re-engineered the Turbo system (air-box, plumbing, etc.) and fuel system to make the bike more reliable. With the redesign and the addition of Keihin FCR race carburetors the performance and stability is now outstanding. Our goal was 101 Hp (starting with a stock 76 Hp) running just 7# of boost. During the dyno test at ECS we got 112.1 Hp (with no head work and stock pistons)! I then updated the suspension with adjustable Showa forks, a HyproPro rear spring and 17" aluminum wheels.

Stock: 76 Hp/51 ft-lb.

The second phase of the project was to update the look of the bike. My idea was to expand on a set of the polished aluminum wheels and aluminum drive-belt cover I put on the bike. After looking around I decided to go with the basic look of the "Ducati M900 Chromo" but with some special items from Fast By Ferracci, RoadRacing.it, Rizoma and some custom stuff some of my buddies and I made. With the chrome/aluminum, I was trying to get the same overall look of my 1969 Ducati 350SSS Scrambler (polished metal and black), but in "Chrome and Carbon".

With thanks to my friends, the bike is now very stable and fast. Plus it looks like a custom show bike. It's the funnest bike I've ever ridden. I think the best part of the bike and has been working on it with all my friends.

Concept Drawings

11/05/04 Bodywork Update Concept Drawing (PDF - 1pg)

Awards

Road Racing World (Archive PDF)

• Turbocharger With Integrated Wastegate - IHI-Turbo
• Custom Steel Air Box - Tom's Italian Tune And Service
  • Purple Silicone Hose - Samco
• Dual 39mm Flat-CR Racing Carburetors - Keihin
• Vented Clutch Cover - PI Motorsports
• Case Vent (Gold Oxd.) - Motostrano
• 3/8" Inline Case Filter (P) - K&N
• Braided Steel Pressure Lines (S) - Custom made

• Carbon Fiber Exhaust - D&D Exhaust
• Spaghetti Pipes - J.B. Racing

• 43mm Fully Adjustable Forks - Showa
• Braided Steel Brake Lines - FrenTurbo (916 Style)
• Wave Rear Rotor - Galfer
• 17" Aluminum Chicane Wheels (P) - Performance Machine
• Pirelli Diablo Tires - Pirelli
  • Front: 120/70ZR17
  • Back: 180/55ZR17
• Regina 520 ZR Series Chain - Regina

• LED Tach Gauge With Carbon Fiber Face Plate - Aerocompositi - Roma Avio (Aviacompositi Racing)
• Custom Boost Gauge (S) - Speed Hut (Vac 30/Boost 20)
• Clear Front Tune Signals - Lockhart Phillips
• LCD Taillight Spinner - Jeg's
• Oil Temperature Gauge - Moto Detail (20-140°C)
• Clutch/Front Adjustable Levers - MotoWorks

• Gun-Fighter Saddle - Corbin
• Seat Cowl - RoadRacing.it
  • Aluminum
• Preload Adjusters (P) - Lockhart Phillips
• Weighted Bar Ends (P) - Lockhart Phillips
• Heel Guards (P) - Ducati
• Circuit 998 Mirrors (S) - Rizoma
• Front Master Cylinder Covers (S) - Road Racing
• Rear Master Cylinder Cover (P) - Road Racing
• GP Pattern Shifter (S) - Fast By Ferracci
• Drive Belt Covers (P) - De Pretto Moto
• Frame Plugs (P) - Custom made
• Radiator Mounting Brackets (P) - Custom made
• Polished Stock Gas Cap (S) - Pro-Bolt
• Gas Cap Bolts (Purple Oxd.) - Pro-Bolt
• Crankshaft Cover (P) - DML
  • Carbon Fiber
• 916 Style Vented Front Fender - DucatiPerformance
• Wind Screen - Fast Company
• Side Covers - Fast Company
• Rear Mud Guard/Chain Guard - DucatiPerformance
  • Powder Coating (Metallic Dark Iris Purple)
• Frame - Powder Tech
• Suspension Loop - Powder Tech
• Rear Spring - Powder Tech
  • Chrome Plating
• Gas Tank (P) - Metro Plating
• Steel Air Box (P) - Metro Plating
  • Decals
• Poly-Chrome Ducati Tank Decals - Extreme Design
• Poly-Chrome ICP Sticker - Extreme Design
• MotoGP Tank Protector
• Ducati #1 Wreath Decal
• Silver Turbo Emblem (P) - Porsche (911 Turbo)
  • Ceramic Coated
• Spaghetti Pipes - High Performance Coating (HPC)