Who can service a Ducati? (Wgtn)

[crazefox]

I would suggest you get the DesmoTimes service manual, and maybe the Haynes as well. Or borrow mine!

As said before, let the shop do the valve check, but strip the bike your self to save $$.
When doing the valve check, the cams should be taken off to inspect the rocker arms. At 40kms (thousand?) I would be a little concerned.

awsome cheers man

[glice]

I just got a 748 and am going to try do as much as I can myself. I have a full manul if you want one.
Dont listen to service is expensive crap, yes it is a little more but I looked into it and its not much more than a jappa.

[mikeey01]

I would suggest you get the DesmoTimes service manual, and maybe the Haynes as well. Or borrow mine!

Best advise right there!
Desmo times manual is great.
The only thing I'll add, try and find a service manual, handy torque settings and other important stuff like that.

The 2v are easy, the 4v just a few more of em

[McJim]

I'm happy with my 2V - parts are waaaaay cheaper than for my Honda VTR250 and the service intervals are simply huge.

every 10,000km check the valve clearances change the oil and change the oil filter, every 20,000km change the belts.

As for the rest of it, it's exactly the same as a jappa - check the fork oil, seals, air filter, hydraulic fluids, change tyres, brake pads..bearings are as good as any jappa.

I still have no idea where this expensive Ducati servicing myth originated from. Prolly some disgruntled jappa owner who got sick when he saw character, performance AND trouble free riding being enjoyed by the Ducatisti!

[cs363]

What's a duckthai?

Here's a little one:

http://www.littleduck.net/

[AllanB]

I still have no idea where this expensive Ducati servicing myth originated from.

Probably from the 1980's when reliability was not as good as it it now, plus there was that whole 'exotic' charge added on to the service!

I find it interesting that Ducati has set 10,000 km service intervals internationally yet the big Japanese dealers are clinging to 6k in NZ. My Hornets manual clearly states oil/filter at 12,000 intervals (8,000 miles in the USA). I asked Honda about this and they confirmed that for warranty purposes you only need to get serviced every 12,000. Shops like to do them at 6.... (personally I do a clean oil/filter at 6k as I'm fussy).

Working on this theory the Ducati & Honda have a basic service at 10-12k - oil/filter and plug check. And a big service, at 20/24 - valve gear etc. Dollar for dollar, servicing is probably very similar on new models.

Of course the Honda will last longer........

(I had too.......)

[Burtha]

I know there's a chap called AB's motorcycles in Nelson who only deals in ducati. Dunno if he's in the yellowpages - but might be worth a chat if ya need to.

[johan]

I know there's a chap called AB's motorcycles in Nelson who only deals in ducati. Dunno if he's in the yellowpages - but might be worth a chat if ya need to.

Yellow pages? That's last century.

Here:
http://www.absmotorcycles.co.nz/

[Burtha]

Yellow pages? That's last century.

Think your soooo clever !

http://yellow.co.nz/companies/Motorc...2279_1187.html

[glice]

Best advise right there!
Desmo times manual is great.
The only thing I'll add, try and find a service manual, handy torque settings and other important stuff like that.

The 2v are easy, the 4v just a few more of em

where can you get the desmo times?

[johan]

There's one on trademe, be quick!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-207605280.htm

LT Snyder is running DesmoTimes. A great resource for tools and parts.

http://www.desmotimes.com/

[peasea]

awsome cheers man

What johan says is quite right. With a couple of good manuals, some quality tools (don't buy cheapies) and some patience you can go far. I have added special tools to my collection as time has gone by and saved a bundle of cash that can be used for such niceties as petrol.

Whenever you play with internal parts, keep everything as clean as possible; after initially washing parts I find a final squirt of 'Brakleen' works wonders. It evaporates totally, leaving no residue. Would you believe it? It even works on brake parts! (Good for cleaning nooks and crannies too.)

Read up, use the right tools and enjoy!

[Winston001]

You might be able to find a PDF download of the Desmotimes manual if you do enough searches. Just had a go but nothing immediately came up.

Having said that, the Desmotimes guys are enthusiasts and deserve support. Highly regarded in the Ducati community. That Trademe auction looks like someone has got the manual, photocopied it, and now making money by selling copies and effectively ripping off Desmotimes. For that reason I wouldn't bid on that auction.

[Insanity_rules]

Oh thank F! I was reading this post and starting to worry. I just bought a 97 400ss yesterday. Totally rapt with it and once the warranty runs out I'm going to turn my own spanner on it but want to learn more about it.