Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 851 / 888 > advice needed

[888 dave]

can any of u guys tell what is needed to convert a 888 strada to single seat like a sp5,is it just the sub frame and the seat unit.also can still get the sub frames,and which after market seat unit is the best fit.i have been lookin for a sp4,5 but they are hard to find to find.a couple of specailists have said dont do it because its dead money but the sp models are now collectable and fetch good money. cheers dave.

[bitchinSP4]

Hello Dave.

There's an sp5 advertised on www.stileitaliano.com it doesn't look 100% origanial but it might be worth droping Gianluca a line and get some info on it.

Good luck.

Mike.

[888 dave]

cheers mike will call them tommorrow do u know them or delt with them before, knew i wouid have to travel but wasnt plannin that much, but it is a option thanks again dave.

[Rob B]

Dave,

You can't get the genuine parts from Ducati now. You've got a few options:

1. stay with the Strada seat frame, taking lots of care with the bits that stick out, and use one of the aftermarket GRP mouldings. That route has been used sucessfully by a number of the 888 owners on the board and is the cheapest. I'm sure one or two will be along shortly to advise on the better/best suppliers.

2. eBay. Wait and watch. The genuine ally subframes and seat units come up from time to time, but be prepaerd to pay large. NB. The 851 ally seat frame is much more common and will not do the job

3. I have a new, genuine Ducati SP0 steel single seat frame in the loft. It owes me quite a lot but it's spare.

Rgds, Rob

[loony888]

i have converted my strada. i ordered the bits needed through my fave dealer here in oz and waited..........and waited..........and waited. after about 6 months i get a call saying my seat unit with seat and bum pad are in. you beaudy! the subframe was still on back order and i waited some more. i get a call about 2 months later saying the subframe is N.L.A, ****! luckily my dealer mate has a corsa and loaned me his to duplicate. i found a competent workshop and had a duplicate made for around half the cost of a genuine one. this was around 3 years ago so not sure what's around now.

[Nattyboy]

Hi Dave

Ive took route 1 (as in Robs e-mail). It is possible with some jiggerypokery and QB Carbon do a good seat mould. Here is my finished article. Have attached a few shots of the job in progress !

Some notes

Be sure to fit some heat shrink plastic or foam to the subframe pins that the srada side panels fit on to or they will pierce a nice hole in your freshly painted seat unit (as I found out to my cost !!)

The QB mould has 'desmoquattro' moulded in to it so you will need to sand that out (probably from a moulding of an SP4 seat which had a sticker there)

Ive probably got some OE from and rear seat pads coming over in the next few weeks from italy - give us a shout then !

The long dzus fastener that secures the bum pad is still available from dealers - about £8.

Cut your self a big hole in the seat unit behind the bum pad (see attached pic) so you can still use the underseat storage !

Cheers
Nat

[Nattyboy]

The hole to access the storage

[Nattyboy]

Finished !

[888 dave]

cheers guys now i know it is possible just didnt want 2 cut the strada sub frame.

[bitchinSP4]

Hello Dave.

Yes I know Gianluca fairly well, he's a friends buisness partner. Might be worth a trip over there if only to see his museum, he has a couple of 851-888 race bikes and the mighty V6 Laverda!!

Happy Hunting.

Mike.