[jasonbr]

I bought my ducati last year used, under 7500 miles. I changed the fluids as the manual called for, and called the dealer to have the belts and valves done now that its at 7500 miles.

They refused to do the belts and valves without doing the full 7500 service. Including changing all the new fluids I just put in. So they want me to pay $109 an hour to redo work I just did.

I called ducati NA a few minutes ago and the guy agreed with the dealer!!!!! That because I didnt have the dealer change my oil and brake fluid and coolant, they have to redo it. Drain all the brand new fluids. He said Ducati does not recommend owners service there own bikes.

I asked why they include service instructions in the owners manual if they dont want owners to service their bikes, and he said it was for "reference".

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so peeved.

Other dealers that aren't so close to me quoted me for just the valves and belts, but I was really hoping to have a reasonable discussion with the local dealer about common sense. Sadly I guess common sense isnt for Ducati. I was really hoping Ducati would have some better standards for dealer support.

I've never heard of dealers refusing to provide factory service if they cant do the cake jobs of changing your fluids also... Never in my life have I heard of such a thing.

And this is supported by Ducati NA.

 

[t_bare]

Do your own valves and belts.

t_bare

 

[2004 999s]

warranty?

maybe will void the warranty should something go south if you can't prove the fluids were changed? save the receipts? local dealer here offered a discount on belt change if I brought it in less fairings but for a year 2k machine.

 

[DaveK]

Go to a different dealer...

Last year I had to change oil myself in San Diego because the local dealer couldn't get me in (and it was due then), but Ducati Seattle was happy to finish the (non-desmo) service and reset the light when I got there.

I also had my 60k desmo service done by a non-Ducati Shop (Moto-Z, they have a respected Ducati tech) and Bob Weaver (Ducati dealer) in Buffalo were OK with doing the computer checks and resetting the service light.

 

[Dukerdr]

This...^


And I'd like to know which city this is in...
.

 

[Strega]

maybe will void the warranty should something go south if you can't prove the fluids were changed? save the receipts?

Can I Change My Own Oil Without Voiding My Warranty?

"Tie-In Sales" Provisions

From the 2012 US Streetfighter Owners Manual, page 98:

Important

Engine oil and oil filters must be changed by a Ducati Dealer or authorized Service Center at the intervals specified in the scheduled maintenance table reported in the Warranty Booklet.

In the US, The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits such tie-in sales provisions as follows:

Tie-In Sales" Provisions

Generally, tie-in sales provisions are not allowed. Such a provision would require a purchaser of the warranted product to buy an item or service from a particular company to use with the warranted product in order to be eligible to receive a remedy under the warranty. The following is an example of prohibited tie-in sales provisions.

"In order to keep your new Plenum Brand Vacuum Cleaner warranty in effect, you must use genuine Plenum Brand Filter Bags. Failure to have scheduled maintenance performed, at your expense, by the Great American Maintenance Company, Inc., voids this warranty."

So in the US, you can change your own oil and Ducati cannot void your warranty because of it. The statement in the Owners Manual that oil and filters must be changed by Ducati is illegal and unenforceable in the US.

However, you should be prepared to provide documented proof (receipts etc.) that you changed the oil and filter on the recommended schedule and used a quality oil and filter if later a lubrication related repair issue develops.

From the 2012 US Streetfighter Owners Manual, page 7:

However, warranty does not apply to the motorcycles used in competitions or competitive trials or whenever poor maintenance status is ascertained.

 

[ducvet]

Well it would help if we knew the year and model and if the bike is in warranty.

If not in warranty find a good dealer elsewhere of find one of us independent shops , in your area the local Duc owners will know where you might find one with a good reputation who will work with you. There is a good reason Ducati owners are used to traveling great distances for service, the dealer network is a mixed bag of great shops crooks and Boutiques. Not all shops work for all people but it sounds like you are a hands on person so look around and ask for the one that will work for you.

You are 100% right on Magnuson-Moss but the dealer and Ducati have quite a bit of control. unless you plan on lawyering up Dealers will make the rules up themselves. MOST are great people who want your business but there are a few.... in the long run this is good info for you as now you know what shop to avoid with all future purchases.

Know that there are a few items where they do need to drop fluids (coolant and some times oil) to do a service and some will NOT put any fluid back in after they drop it no matter how good it is. By the fact you were asking about a 7500 mile service I am thinking it is a older bike not in warranty anymore?

 

[t-bills]

Desmo Times Home Page

Buy the manual from LT Snyder. But some belts from ca cycleworks. If you aren't in a rush, you can see what shims you need and order them alone. If you don't want it down for any amount of time, buy the shim kit. Its not bad at all.

 

[jasonbr]

Go to a different dealer...

Last year I had to change oil myself in San Diego because the local dealer couldn't get me in (and it was due then), but Ducati Seattle was happy to finish the (non-desmo) service and reset the light when I got there.

I also had my 60k desmo service done by a non-Ducati Shop (Moto-Z, they have a respected Ducati tech) and Bob Weaver (Ducati dealer) in Buffalo were OK with doing the computer checks and resetting the service light.

It's a 2010 Streetfighter. Well out of warranty. Bought it with low mileage and it took a little while to get to the mileage based service.

I;'m not looking for them to cover anything except stand by the job they actually do, i.e. valves and belts.

Half the stuff on the 7500 mile service is time based regardless of mileage, and have the stuff is mileage based regardless of time.

So most of the stuff had to be done before 7500 miles anyways.... many times in fact.

I'm less peeved at the dealer than I am at Ducati NA for standing by this. I called ducati NA in California and the guy told me the same thing. They wont perform any service unless they can do everything the book calls for that hasn't already been documented as being done by a dealer.

 

[t-bills]

What all fluids are you referring to? Just looking for some clarification. I've not worked on a streetfighter, but have a multistrada 1200 (similar motor). You have to drain the coolant to remove the radiator which you must do to get to the horizontal cylinder. Depending on the location of the oil cooler, I'm guessing you have to remove it as well. Most dealerships will use the proper engine turning tool which requires removing the cover on the alternator cover. At this point, you have definitely drained the coolant and most likely drained the oil. If it were a desmodue, it would be a different story.

I think it might be a misunderstanding that boils down to these fluids need to come out to do the work. Sucks you just replaced them, but this is where you are. If they are wanting to replace brake and clutch fluid and service the forks, I can fully understand telling them to pound sand. Otherwise, I think they are not necessarily out of line. Disregard any BS that Ducati NA said.

Lastly, I stand by my previous statement of considering doing it yourself.

 

[jasonbr]

The fluids were more of an example. There's just a long long list of crap that I dont want to pay them $109 an hour to do.

Lots of things to "check" that I'd rather them not touch at all, if it were free. Let alone pay them to do.

For instance: "Check chain tension alignment & lubrication". I dont want to pay someone $109 hr to service my chain.

Also, "check brake pads change if necessary". I dont want them messing with my brake pads. and I don't want to pay them $109/hr to "check" them either.

I had the wheels off last summer for new tires and torqued them to spec. I dont want to pay them to retorque the wheel nuts.

Nor do I want them to service my battery.

Its just a whole lot of dumb crap I dont need want, that's going to add up quick.

Lots of service is also due for time based service. Forget 7500 miles. Pretty much all of it. If they wanted to go nuts with this "Ducati calls for it we have to do it" they could certainly rake me over the coals. I dont think they will, but it still makes me nervous that they have this mindset.... I can see it now, "We didnt know you were beyond the time limit on these service items when we quoted you over the phone...."

And yea, it's really upsetting that ducati wont service my bike at all, unless they get to be the sole service provider. That's insane to me.

I am considering doing it myself. I did the valves on the Rotax engine in the aprilia shiver I had years ago. Is this one similar? Does it have tappets and such? I've also read that by the time I buy all the stuff I'll need to do the valves and belts that I might as well pay for the service.

Thanks!

 

[t-bills]

The valves are a bit different. They are not tappet style. They are desmodromic which has two shims per valve (one opener and one closer) plus half rings. As for cost:
LT Snyder: $40
Shim kit: $300
Other tools you HAVE to buy: $0. I'd consider the cam locking tool, but not required.
This is significantly less than the labor costs for the work, plus you have it for next time. It will be a decent bit of work. It will probably take you ~15+ hr your first time thru. The next time will be half that. Provide you location and you might find somebody on here that is willing to lend a hand and teach you how to do it. Buy the book and see if its within your abilities/interest.

 

[Chuckracer]

One of the many reasons why we ask people to fill out their UserCP with location information and add their bikes to their signature line. Help may be out there.

 

[mlukason]

One of the many reasons why we ask people to fill out their UserCP with location information and add their bikes to their signature line. Help may be out there.

What Chuck said. There's a number of members who are willing to help you do the work if you're hesitant to tackle it on your own...if we know where you are. 0

 

[Yorik]

Don't worry. I know where you are. I also know there are people willing to show you the ropes.

 

[jasonbr]

Sorry! I live in Mass.

 

[Monster4Lee]

Find an indy shop that you can trust. That will not give you this crap.
Easier said than done, but I consider mine as good as gold. :smile2:

 

[mlukason]

Sorry! I live in Mass.

Well then...you have options!

There's this independent shop up in NH that supposed to be pretty good: Clubhouse MotorSports :wink2:

There's a couple dealers (one offers winter tech seminars on valve clearance adjustments)

There's a couple enthusiastic shade tree mechanics

 

[dwaltz]

Do it yourself. I just completed my first valve adjustment on my 99 ST4 which included pulling the cams to check for flaking rockers. Ordered my shim kit from Mike at EMS and my belts from Desmotimes. Was really nice having the shim kit as most of my valves needed to be shimed, plus the satisfaction of knowing just what my clearances are. According to some opinions some dealers won’t adjust them if they are within Ducati’s specs. Some of my openers were at .008 which is at the far end of being in tolerance, everything is at .004 now. Lots of help on this forum and some good Utube videos. Looks like you’re doing most of the maintenance yourself already.

 

[breaddrink]

In reality though, these types of laws are only effective if you have a lawyer and threaten them with legal recourse.

For most of us, in reality, they can do what they want and we just have to live with it. They know this. We know this.

The beautiful dance continues.

Can I Change My Own Oil Without Voiding My Warranty?

"Tie-In Sales" Provisions

From the 2012 US Streetfighter Owners Manual, page 98:

Important

Engine oil and oil filters must be changed by a Ducati Dealer or authorized Service Center at the intervals specified in the scheduled maintenance table reported in the Warranty Booklet.

In the US, The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits such tie-in sales provisions as follows:

Tie-In Sales" Provisions

Generally, tie-in sales provisions are not allowed. Such a provision would require a purchaser of the warranted product to buy an item or service from a particular company to use with the warranted product in order to be eligible to receive a remedy under the warranty. The following is an example of prohibited tie-in sales provisions.

"In order to keep your new Plenum Brand Vacuum Cleaner warranty in effect, you must use genuine Plenum Brand Filter Bags. Failure to have scheduled maintenance performed, at your expense, by the Great American Maintenance Company, Inc., voids this warranty."

So in the US, you can change your own oil and Ducati cannot void your warranty because of it. The statement in the Owners Manual that oil and filters must be changed by Ducati is illegal and unenforceable in the US.

However, you should be prepared to provide documented proof (receipts etc.) that you changed the oil and filter on the recommended schedule and used a quality oil and filter if later a lubrication related repair issue develops.

From the 2012 US Streetfighter Owners Manual, page 7:

However, warranty does not apply to the motorcycles used in competitions or competitive trials or whenever poor maintenance status is ascertained.