I guess I have to do all my own maint. now - Ducati.ms

Swodi · May 27th, 2009, 6:53 pm

I just took my bike in for its 600 mile service and after we got home from picking it up my wife said "You're buying a stand and the shop manual. I'm not making the drive again." I guess a 3 hour round trip was too much...maybe we shouldn't have gone during rush hour.

At least I have a couple months until the next service. Any suggestion or hints for performing the bigger services?

MarksFriggin · May 27th, 2009, 7:08 pm

Don't bring the wife.

dave2riff · May 27th, 2009, 7:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swodi

At least I have a couple months until the next service. Any suggestion or hints for performing the bigger services?

The next few services aren't that big of a deal. Need to learn to do valve
clearances and timing belt tensioning. I would get the TechnoResearch
VDST diagnostic scan too, as a minimum ($195). A gauge setup for
synchronizing throttle bodies is a good one to have, then the exhaust gas
analyzer for measuring CO percentage in the exhaust (another tuning tool),
but most guys get by without that.

Ducati dealers do belt tension with a frequency meter (the belt vibrates at
a higher frequency as tension is increased), but there are other methods
documented on this forum.

They do sell service manual CDs on EBay for around $15... don't say you
heard it here.

BigMac038 · May 27th, 2009, 7:31 pm

Swodi,
Could you tell me how much your service cost, and what they did?
Thanks

Swodi · May 27th, 2009, 7:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMac038

Swodi,
Could you tell me how much your service cost, and what they did?
Thanks

It came to $258 after tax, and that included all the normal stuff as well as changing out the front sprocket for a 14 tooth. To be honest, I'm not sure what all else they did. I'll have to check the invoice and get back to you. Considering it's a Ducati AND they changed out the front sprocket, I'm pretty happy.

heffergm · May 27th, 2009, 8:39 pm

The 600 mile service is nothing other than an oil/filter change and a check of a few other things. It's all in your manual. This is why I do all my own maintenance.... basically, up until you hit the first valve clearance check at 7500 miles, you don't need to do a whole lot other than change the oil, check your chain tension and keep an eye on your tires.

It's really pretty straight forward stuff... although I've been (generally due to lack of $$ when younger) doing all my own maintenance on anything motorized since I was 14. Find someone near you willing to show you the ropes if you're not sure about anything.

TylerL325 · May 27th, 2009, 9:08 pm

I just got my 600 mi service done, it cost $158. All they really did was an oil/filter change and tighten all the bolts throughout the frame/forks, etc.
They had a special tool for removing the oil filter, does anyone have that, or is it really not necessary when I do my next oil change myself?

sconly · May 27th, 2009, 9:48 pm

better start buying specialty tools.

mountainrider · May 28th, 2009, 3:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swodi

my wife said "You're buying a stand and the shop manual."

Lucky dog! Looks like you got one of those women that really understands men. I suggest that you take this opportunity to do some serious tool uprgrading. The door is open, my friend!

heffergm · May 28th, 2009, 4:49 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by sconly

better start buying specialty tools.

There's nothing special about the tools you need to do routine maintenance on a Duc. Aside from some allen wrenches, which I hardly consider specialty items, you don't need anything other than oil and filters to get an oil change done. There are a million different oil filter wrenches you can get at the local auto parts store that'll fit a Ducati oil filter, and if you switch to K&N filters you won't even need those anymore.

Beyond that, it's just a metric bike. If you've been working on Jap bikes, there's no real difference. When you get into checking valves things get a bit more complicated, but it's a unique engine design, so that's hardly a surprise. And anyone that can't change their own oil shouldn't be going near their engine internals.