Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Sport Touring: ST4 / ST3 / ST2 > Powerlet and Bike-Gizmo

[chrisw]

Have just spent a pleasant afternoon working on the ST4S.

I have installed a Powerlet Ducati Starter Motor Rewire Kit (US$27.80 delivered to UK) and a Sidestand Gizmo (£22.00 delivered to UK)

Web Sites:
www.powerletproducts.com
www.bike-gizmos.com

Both were relatively easy to fit. The only problems I had were seized fairing bolts which I had to hacksaw off (I am a bit p****d off as the last people to have the fairing off were Ducati Leeds when they serviced it in Sept 2003, a bit of grease on the threads would have helped) and removal of the earth lead from the back of the engine. Other than that straight forward.

Both products come with easy to follow instructions and only took one week to arrive from the US and AUS respectively.

The bike starts more readily and I can now start it on the sidestand.

Has anyone else installed these products and have they noticed any improvement.

[belthead]

Never heard of either kit before. Are you pleased with the units ?
Easier starting must be a boon, what the other thingy for ?

[chrisw]

The rewire kit is as it says- bigger gauge wires so no power drop. Custom made for the ST.

http://www.powerletproducts.com/prod...ter_rewire.php

The sidestand gizmo let's you start the bike with the sidestand down and cuts the engine if you put it in gear with it down (just like normal bikes!).

http://www.bike-gizmos.com/bikegizmo...and-gizmo.html

[Edited on 19-3-2004 by chrisw]

[Rushjob]

Just ordered the starter upgrade from Jastek - heard good things about it & simple physics says it should be better.
I've had the sidestand interlock mod for a while now - the Cornerspeed version! I couldn't do without it as being unable to run it on the sidestand would drive me batty.

[Col996s]

I've heard it said that running the engine on the sidestand is not a good idea as the oil collects to one side and does not lubricate correctly.

Any one know if there is any truth in this?

[rockhopper]

Possibly true on a four cylinder bike but a v twin is so narrow. Anyhow the oil is being pumped around at fairly high pressure. Not sure if anything is splash lubricated on these engines so really the angle the engine is sitting at shouldnt make any difference.

[Rushjob]

Well.... I've just fitted my Jastek starter lead kit and I can only say that it does what it says on the can.
The engine spins over quicker, starts after fewer turns & there's none of that "wait for it, wait for it, I'm gonna spin it over in a mo' " type delay when the battery is seemingly struggling.
Went on nice & easy too.
A worthy upgrade methinks
Dead cheep too......
Andy

[Iconic944ss]

Nice write up Chris + an excellent animated avatar to boot !!

I wish I known about these guys as essentially I made my own wires when my starter motor was playing up and I discovered that some of the wiring had suffered as well.

Good post Sire !!!

[chrisw]

Took the bike out of mothballs at beginning of April and the starter hasn't missed a beat. A vast improvement. Should have done it when I first got the bike in 2001. Jastek provide good instructions, particularly the tip on using a cable tie on the white connector on the solenoid. (This seems to have featured on other threads). For the money it is well worth it, suppose you could make them up cheaper but is it worth the hassle.

As for starting on the sidestand everyone should do this mod. Under five minutes to fit once the lower fairing is off.

[rockhopper]

Is it only the later bikes that have the side stand interlock? My ST4 has got nothing, and for the first time in over a year today i managed to knock it into first while i was trying to put the side stand down!! Luckily my right foot was on the back brake so no harm done.