[mungus]

Hi,

I have a MY1999 900 SS ie FF in Singapore. There is a small DUCATI agent here that doesn't carry many parts nor seems very interested or knowledgeable (sorry if you're reading this) in tuning / mods. Nice people but seem more into selling bikes and routine servicing.

Does anybody know a good, experienced DUCATI tuner (Maybe with a dyno?) or parts supplier in SE Asia? I travel a bit so picking up stuff in Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam or Phillipines is no problem.

OR failing that how about a good firm in OZ / NZ that deals internationally? I am a Kiwi who lived in Melbourne and Perth so either of those countries would be OK. I've seen the "Spareshack" website in VIC and it sounds OK but their on line store doesn't work and they never seem to answer their phone!

At present I am stuck with patiently dealing with Italian webstores like Carpimoto or making calls to OZ for tiny parts with big freight bills...

Any advice appreciated...

 

[Guest]

try jason at section8superbike. great deals and low cost shipping

 

[mungus]

Thanks for the reply

Thanks - I have seen their website and used some of their tech tips, haven't tried ordering from them yet.

"58cycles.com" seems the cheapest I've found in the US for accessories like powercommanders ($275 USD when most want $300-330) and clutch slaves, etc, but they don't accept non US credit cards, for overseas orders - bugger!

From OZ I've used "V2" and "Casoli", there are good but the freight is expensive (UPS or DHL). e.g. $50+ for a small box. Hence why I was hoping for someone in SE Asia...

 

[Guest]

the ducati kings in oz are gowanloch.
http://www.ducati-gowanloch.com/
been around for ages and not a bad word.
see how you go!

 

[mungus]

Thanks

Thanks Kel. Will do...

 

[badass916sp]

There are a few places here in KL that work on Dukes.

 

[mungus]

Thanks

Thanks Badass. KL is a few hours away but worth a thought. Wondering though, you say theres a few there that work on Dukes, but do they really know what they are doing?

Have noticed the "face" thing is an obstacle to assessing the likely quality of work / level of knowledge in this part of the world. Often seems they don't know much but do spout alot of BS claims and have flash gear. Ducatis seem to mostly be like Hardly Rideables in SIN, bought for posing and as such no need for skilled tuners etc.

I am fast reaching the conclusion that I might be better off sending the rest of my tools up here and doing it myself...

 

[ward]

Looi's

There's an older mechanic at Looi's, which is on... on... an industrial estate... in the north east ... (EDIT: Can't recall, it was a place I 'went to', you know? I "think" it might have been Ubi Industrial estate on Upper Payer Labar Rd...but... say 60% sure? Singtel will have it.)

I left Slingapoor in 2000, but the guy's been there for years and I presume he still is. He does very good work, and looked after my SS900. They'll store too, all kinds of helpful stuff. I wish I could remember his name - but I believe it was Li? Serious and shy.

The Ducati shop on Lavender Street are not interested unless (then) you had a 996 or better, a 996R. But they were incompetent as far as my experience went: I took the bike to them ONCE to change fork oil, and they left the handlebars unclamped, pinched the fuel line so it started once and then got fuel starved, left the bolt out of the top triple clamp, and somehow broke / cracked the front mudguard which they did have repaired/painted for me.

As for parts, Looi's goes to the Duc guys, so locally you have no choice. I used Spareshack in the UK, and Gowies in Sydney. I've since lived in the ME, and while the dealer in Dubai sucks, and has no stock, the guy in Kuwait is said to be good, and the guy in Bahrain is V helpful - for stock bits they'd be closer.

 

[mungus]

Thanks

Thanks Ward - some useful advice. My experience has been similar in SIN. Polite and friendly staff but appear only interested in selling bikes and the workshop puts out the vibe of only a 999 is worth their time... They screwed up a complete repaint of my SS (Didn't strip as instructed - and paid for, poor prep and panel refit etc), promised to get it redone then never did, etc. My impression being once they have your $ they don't care about backing up their work. Little parts stock or tuning knowledge either it seems.

Unfortunately I need a set of adjustable cam pulleys timed for me soon (The foreman's apparently never timed a 2V - unbelievable back home), but without more of my tools I am at their mercy...

I hope they do better this time.

 

[ward]

Don't leave 'em at it. They left my triple clamp bolt out! Especially if they haven't done 2Vs before (this is a patent lie, as there are a lot of monsters in Sing, most of which are 2V).

Besides which, part of being a dealership is having factory training, and I hear those courses are pretty rigourous.

But walk away... go to Looi's. Find Looi's mechanic. I'm sure he'd be able to time the adjustables. I seem to recall that he came from Ducati to Looi's. He's the only one the 'Wing riders trust with their mounts. Ride knowing everything's been done back up correctly. Looi's!

As an aside, I had similar competence staring me in the face in Dubai - over a warranty replacement oil cooler on a 749 - I wrote to Ducati and they were VERY helpful: just used the 'contacts' page of their website.

 

[mungus]

Will do

Thanks again, will try and find this guy "Looi". As for the timing story - I am referring to setting up adjustable cam pulleys on non standard timing. I am sure they have replaced many cam belts and set the STD pulleys on the STD marks.

Thanks for the advice...

 

[mungus]

Thanks again Ward

Thanks again Ward. Found that shop "Looi's" you suggested. Quite a large shop (5 levels), in Kaki Bukit, the mechanic's name is "Min Tong" - like you said; quiet and serious older guy, not the best English but several well healed customers I spoke to there regarded him very highly ("only guy in SIN who knows what to do with DUCATI lah") and he certainly seems to know 2V DUCATI's. His price to fit and time my VeeTwo cam pulleys - $ 80 SGD. They have a ncie dyno too and only 10 mins from my home! The DUCATI agent wanted a day and didn't project mcuh confidence to me ... Say no more!

 

[ward]

Aiya Kaki Bukit, lor! I know this but forget lah, so long been Singapore, cannot remember. Looi's used to be close by Seletar before some time ah, then he moving to Kaki Bukit, lah. Very much easy for me also, because I live Siglap.

Sounds like you found the man. Stuff the dealer, they don't give a rats!

If you can be bothered, I think that Ducati sPa are (or should be) interested on feedback in markets like this. Drop 'em a note in Bolgna letting them know what you have done and why.

Watch out for the BMs driving an inch from your arse on the ECP, make sure you keep your cashcard topped up, and keep your third eye peeled for logging trucks on the East Coast of Malaysia.

Do you head up to Kuantan? There's a great little road that dives back across to the highway on the west coast just before you get to Kuantan. Twisty, empty (but narrow).

 

[mungus]

Oh Ward lah, yu ang mo no so kiasu aahh..

Thanks Ward, yes maybe DUCATI would like to know, perhaps they even view this website? I emailed them once, regarding SIN not being on the ducati.com web site list of countries (for shopping). They replied but haven't done anything so far. IMHO the local shop is possibly just a reflection of the culture and as such any replacements would possibly exihibit similar tendancies, e.g. Locals value prestige, which means new, and the more $$$ the better. But they are the only local source of parts.

Yup the local drivers can be a worry; have this "face" thing about being "beaten" on a public road, even though you aren't trying to race them (why would you in SIN, the roads are boring and speed limits low). Malaysia's road are lots of fun though, the ride to Mersing is great. But it doesn't matter if you can't ride as long as you look cool... Just watching them vanish into your rear vision mirror approaching corners makes me smile...

Saw one kid sanding marks into his sliders one day... Get the picture :think:

 

[ctk333]

hi guys,

this thread kind of interest me as im looking for alternatives as well, besides the sole Ducati agent in SG, for servicing of my duke. Pretty sad and disappointed to say that, few in SG are reputed to be well-versed in the art of servicing a duke.

Michael Chong from Kallang Cycle seems to be a popular guy to look for if ya own a duke and do not wish to give ya dollars to the agent. But rummors are that his age is a liability, sometimes.

Loois' Meng Tong, is a very popular and well known mech in the local motorcycling community. Reputed to be one of the best tuner in the local industry. Had my R1 sent to him for valve adjustment, etc once last time.. but never knew he deals with dukes as well.. and even more suprised that he works for the agent b4 coming to loois?

One thing to note though, most local shops here do not use torque wrench, and as dukes vibrates alot, it is of high importance to be torqued correctly to the required specs... does Loois have the required tools to service a duke?

plz update after you had your duke serviced at loois ok?

 

[mungus]

Update

OK - so got Looi's (Meng Tong) to do some work on my SS. (Adjustable V2 Cam pulley set up, Desmos, dyno & minor service).

He seems to know DUCATI's but to be honest I was dissappointed by the lack of attention to detail. (lost the large lower LHS fairing button head allen screw - and then just put a rusty little allen bolt in its place with no washer - fairing rattling and loose, and it damaged the paint around the hole. I also later discovered they didn't secure the front indicator cables (ie zip tie) after refitting the side panels - flapping around loose and fouling the forks). (As if I wouldn't spot it!)

But I get the impression he knows his stuff - he is perhaps THE favourite superbike (R1, GSXR etc) mechanic of the locals in the know, and has experience on DUCATI's. He seems like a genuine guy, is serious about his work and means well. He was very apologetic about those little mistakes and fixed them ASAP.

Sorry to say as this place is now my home, but IMHO, thus far no place here would rate with decent workshops I am used to or even my own standards of DIY work. As for the agent I have deserted their workshop now. (After several screw ups and IME the workshop boss doesn't back up their work).

My policy is now DIY as much as I can (my special tools are back home) and then go to Meng Tong for the rest. But I would now point out the level of detail I require and check my bike out carefully before I leave.

Good luck...

 

[ctk333]

thanks for the update.. a bit disappointed lol...

btw would you be planning to do your valve adjustment and belt change with Loois?

These are the jobs that I'm worried no other shops expect the agent are up to it.. but I'm hoping some others are capable and attentive enough for these jobs...

 

[mungus]

I hear ya...

Yes I was also a bit P/O'd, as after the dealer's debacles I was really hoping I could find someone trustworthy.

But then it is a different culture, so perhaps I was being unrealistic? But I expect a job to be done properly AND for some honesty (I mean who hasn't lost a bolt before?). Perhaps thats where the so-called "face" thing gets in the road. In my game (aviation) such issues are mooted as THE barrier to acceptable STD's...

Anyways, for now I will get Looi's to do my Desmo's. I'm not shipping all my stuff up here nor am I buying new dial gauges / mounts and belt tension tools etc for a twice a year small job... Meng may not be perfect but IMHO he is a much more straight up guy and knows his stuff. (And yes, IME Looi's are way cheaper than the agent).

What I am looking for now is a GOOD painter. The agents messed up a repaint of my SS, and a recent touch up was botched as well. (poor prep, etc). Looks nice for a while then; bubbling, not stripped as instructed, thin top coat etc. The salt in the wound is that they wanted me to pay to fix it! Not what I would expect from any self respecting workshop NOR a DUCATI agent! Bollocks...

IMHO here its mostly about image. If it LOOKS OK then just spin some BS, take the cash and move on to the next sucker lah...

Price of being an expat I guess! But hey its not a bad place to live, and the free roads of Malaysia and Thailand are right next door...

 

[ctk333]

Ong's & Son is reputed to be one of the more reknowed painter around locally.. but heard they do have some mood swing sometimes.. maybe you could check them out.

Btw, do Meng Tong actually uses a torque wrench? Most local shops do not even owe a torque wrench.. abit embrassed to ask him directly.

I'm ashamed to say, i'm not technically inclined, thus have to depend on the mechs for most jobs.

 

[mungus]

Torque wrench

Yes - Looi's have a torque wrench. Meng Tong pointed out to me when I collected the bike that he sets everything to the factory torque spec's.

Thanks for the painting info...