Hey guys, there was a little incident and I wound up doing some damage to my '07 Monster 695 which I believe to be fairly minimal. I'm wondering if these particular repairs are something that a novice could tackle no problem, or should I just have the shop do the work for me.
I need to replace the bent handlebar, install a new throttle control, a new front brake lever and rear brake lever, and possibly a new brake fluid reservoir. Do these things require a degree of technical knowledge or more tools than the average toolbox?
Thanks
Quote from: NoisyDante on September 02, 2009, 09:34:46 AM
Hey guys, there was a little incident and I wound up doing some damage to my '07 Monster 695 which I believe to be fairly minimal. I'm wondering if these particular repairs are something that a novice could tackle no problem, or should I just have the shop do the work for me.
I need to replace the bent handlebar, install a new throttle control, a new front brake lever and rear brake lever, and possibly a new brake fluid reservoir. Do these things require a degree of technical knowledge or more tools than the average toolbox?
Thanks
Nope. The hardest thing will be bleeding the brakes. And anyone can do that. GL. Any questions post up.
Quote from: El Matador on September 02, 2009, 09:38:46 AM
Nope. The hardest thing will be bleeding the brakes. And anyone can do that. GL. Any questions post up.
And bleeding the brakes is needed only if you need to replace the reservoir. Just make sure your toolbox is stocked with metric hex bits and sockets/wrenches, then you're good to go.
All you should need is a basic set of metric allens, wrenches a Phillips head screw driver, and a set of needle nose pliers for that stuff. You'll need a jar or bottle, some DOT 4 brake fluid and a clear hose to bleed the brakes if you replace the master/resevoir.
None of that stuff is hard - just don't rush especially when it comes to the brake bleeding. It's a slow process, but vital
do you have to torque the handlebar mount a certain amount? might need a small torque wrench.
Quote from: Raux on September 02, 2009, 12:02:13 PM
do you have to torque the handlebar mount a certain amount? might need a small torque wrench.
Tight. How tight? TIGHT. Best bet is to use some threadlocker though
How tight? German torque -guedentight.
Harbor frieght sells a torque wrench though for about $15
Thank you for the replies. I'll be picking up some new tools soon, and good call on the threadlocker.
I've ordered OEM parts for the rear brake lever, throttle, and handlebars. I'll probably pick up some Rizoma reservoirs and grips to complete the overhaul.
You should be just fine with basic tools. A few things you may not have in your tool kit that haven't been mentioned ---
Grease. Lube up the lever pivots.
Eye covering. Don't work with brake fluid without protective eyewear.
Jug/bottle of water. Same thing re working with brake fluid.
If you can't find clear tubing/hosing at the hardware store, you can buy one of those brake bleeding kits (basically a small bottle and some lengths of hose) at an autoparts store. They're like $5 or $10. Here's an example: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200396094_200396094.
If you get new rubber grips, use a razor blade to cut off the old ones if they don't want to come off on their own. They're a PITA otherwise. For putting new rubber gips onto the bars, people suggest using hairspray and/or compressed air. I've always found compressed air works fine. There's stuff called Grip Glue or something (it's like $0.99 a tube) that you can pick up at any moto store. It works pretty well too.
Thanks Spidey, and I'll probably pick up that bleeding kit you recommended. I did see the compressed air trick in another thread, and luckily there are tons of how-to videos on YouTube various regarding bike repair.
Quote from: Spidey on September 02, 2009, 01:54:19 PM
If you get new rubber grips, use a razor blade to cut off the old ones if they don't want to come off on their own. They're a PITA otherwise. For putting new rubber gips onto the bars, people suggest using hairspray and/or compressed air. I've always found compressed air works fine. There's stuff called Grip Glue or something (it's like $0.99 a tube) that you can pick up at any moto store. It works pretty well too.
I actually have another method that doesn't require destroying your old ones. Get a can of WD40 with the little straw attachment and work the straw between the grip and bar. After this it's just a question of spraying a little and rotating the rubber. It should come right off.
To put the new one in just do the same thing. The WD40 will evaporate overnight and the grip will be nice and snug on the bar.
Also remember that the throttle grip is not actually attached to the bar but to the throttle assembly. So you don't have to remove it.
cover gas tank with soft cloth and plastic trash bag brake fluid will etch painted parts.
Some tutorials that may be helpful (in addition to the advice here):
How to stock a basic toolbox (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=12262.0)
How to replace the handlebars (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=1365.0)
How to install levers on a 696 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=14769.0)
I'm sure you'll be fine, good luck. [thumbsup]
Quote from: NoisyDante on September 02, 2009, 01:45:02 PM
I'll probably pick up some Rizoma reservoirs and grips to complete the overhaul.
Back that idea truck up. Have you replaced the stock coffin masters with something that uses a remote resevoir? If so, carry on. If not, those Rizoma parts are going to look nice, sitting on your work bench and will have to stay there. With the stock coffin masters for the front controls of a 695 you cannot use them
Quote from: yuu on September 03, 2009, 03:06:17 AM
Back that idea truck up. Have you replaced the stock coffin masters with something that uses a remote resevoir?
First thing that popped in my head was "Pump your brakes, kid" from Tropic Thunder. Thanks for the heads up, I am doing some research now. Actually found a great post by Spidey that explains the braking system well.
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=11216.msg192572;topicseen#msg192572 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=11216.msg192572;topicseen#msg192572)
Quote from: somegirl on September 02, 2009, 06:31:07 PM
Some tutorials that may be helpful (in addition to the advice here):0
Thanks very much, I read them all, very hepful.
Quote from: NoisyDante on September 03, 2009, 09:07:27 AM
First thing that popped in my head was "Pump your brakes, kid" from Tropic Thunder. Thanks for the heads up, I am doing some research now. Does anything else but the stock reservoir fit the coffin masters?
On the coffin flavor, the reservoir is part of the casting that is the body of the hydraulic pump and the mount for your lever - there's no reasonable way to swap out parts.
OF course, it's no great big deal to swap out from remote reservoir masters - but it'll add a couple hundred bucks to the cost
Yes, I learned that they were an integrated unit after reading Spideys post, so my last question didn't really make much sense. What I'll probably do for now is get some reservoir covers since the damage is cosmetic, and later down the line switch out the masters and get some new fluid tanks.
A couple of things:
a) You don't need locktite. Ducati doesn't call for it in that application and proper torque will hold your bars just fine. Locktite will only make the bolts harder to remove in the future.
b) If your bike took a thump significant enough to do all that damage, chances are your forks are tweeked. No big deal, they just need to be loosened up and re-tightened so that everything lines up again. It's been a long time since I did it after I dropped my F650 but IIRC, you loosen the axle pinch bolts and the axle, loosen lower triple tree bolts, tighten the axle (not the pinch bolts) re-tighten the lower tree, then pump the forks a couple of times and re-tighten the pinch bolts.
I'll do a little googling and see if I can find a better descpription and to verify the order. It's been a long time.
Did a quick look, only found this:
QuoteWhat you need to do, or have done, is the tire and wheel need to be removed, the forks need to be removed, and the tripple clamp's need to be loosened, then it needs to be all put back together with everything measured and checked to make sure it's not under stress, cause if it's aligned and nothing is bent it will not be under stress.
One also suggested loosening the top triple itself, which makes sense. This may be more work than you want to do. Good news, IIRC, from my BMW experience, when you get everything else done, it will be apparent if the top triple is crooked because despite all the other loosening and re-tightening, when riding in a straight line, the bars will be turned slightly, when the bars are straight, you'll be turning.
There's also the "string alignment" you can check.
http://www.uponone.com/howtos/31.pdf (http://www.uponone.com/howtos/31.pdf)
In the near future, keep an eye on your fork seals. If anything is still amiss, they may start leaking.
Quote from: dlearl476 on September 06, 2009, 07:53:29 AM
If your bike took a thump significant enough to do all that damage, chances are your forks are tweeked. No big deal, they just need to be loosened up and re-tightened so that everything lines up again.
Thanks, I was thinking some re-alignment might be in order. After I get the handlebars and other components on I will take it to a local shop and get their professional assessment. Thanks.