Ducati Monster Forum

Hey guys,

Let a friend who just completed the MSF course last weekend ride my Monster 620 in the parking lot.  Long story short, he forgot about clutch modulation and ran it into a curb.  He's fine, was going maybe 10-15 mph.  He hit at a fairly acute angle, but I'm still a little worried about the front forks.  Anything I should look for/feel for on my ride home? 

This isn't the first time the bike has been down.  The previous owners had both dropped it.  Only damage I can tell is the handlebar got tweaked back a smidge causing a dent in the tank (doesn't quite match the MASSIVE dent I bought the bike with on the opposite side), the gear lever got bent back, and the foot peg snapped in two.  Other than that, the sliders saved the rest of the bike.  Honestly surprised how well they worked. 

On the plus side, the incident convinced him to not buy that 848 he was eyeing.  I feel bad for the guy, but it was a good lesson for him to learn.  Oh, and new helmet coming my way :P.

Another question for you guys.  How do I go about replacing the handlebar?  Is there drilling required?

I just am curious - why???

Check for straitness in the forks, if something is wrong with them you'll notice pretty damn quick.

can probably bend the gear lever back, be careful as they're prone to snap

620 is the 4 bolts on the triple and removing all the controls which are easy.

If you get a stock bars no drilling, if you get handle bars that dont have the holes for nubs alot of people just sand the nubs off and wrap the bar where they're going to go with ducttape to grip onto, it works well.

Check the part for sale section here...usually a handlebar floating around.

Why not?  Guy took an MSF course.  He was professionally taught how to ride.  I've no problem letting someone who has taken a ridercourse to try the bike.  I was glad to give him the experience of what a "small" Ducati Monster felt like. 

Thanks paper for the info.  I appreciate the response. 

I was just curious...nice of you to offer him the chance.

He feels pretty bad about it, but again, I'm glad I saved him from buying a 14k dollar death machine.

For that matter, you may have saved his life!!!  [beer]

Looks like there are a couple handlebars floating around.  Will the 'fat' bars from the S2/4 series fit my triple?  Are all the pre-696 bars compatible with my 2004 Monster 620 and its controls? 

no worries, glad your taking it so well also glad you persuaded your friend from buying a 848 for his first bike

well i give you credit for it.

that being said a stock handlebar is just bolt on, if you get a non stock just drill some holes for the controls after measuing them out, really simple just be careful with the drill.

a new shift lever is in order and a new peg, you really can't bend the shifters they are cast alum they break easy when bent again.  sorry it will cost around 70 from a dealer and you can put it on yourself, i did that with my bike but it was the brake lever rear, so good luck.

also good job of convinceing him not to get an 848 that would hve been bad.  rmemeber its not about maturity level with a faster bike its about the bike being able to go warp speed with very little throttle, there is not as much margin for error with a supersport bike now as there is with a monster 620.

I'd let him buy the replacement bar, and a six pack for when he comes over to help you replace it. That should assuage his guilt.

[coffee]

Yup, he's already offered to help.  Weekend project for sure [thumbsup]

Rather than just give up on the shift lever, try a science experiment.

Get a torch and heat the area of the bend.  Place in a vise.  Straighten gently.  See if it works.  Too much heat and the lever will melt/burn.

When you replace the bar, note that the caps are directional.  One end goes flat against the triple casting, the other has a little wiggle room.  Get a torque wrench so you wont strip the threads.

If you really want to mess with your friend, get some grinding compound and have him lap the new bar in the caps.

Dietrich and I tried to fix an old shifter of mine that got jacked up one time and it's harder than you'd imagine. In the end we ended up snapping it in two.

Its much easier to get a "new" one and replace it.

This will be the second time I attempt a fix on the shifter.  The first time I just pounded it straight, no vice, on the concrete floor.  Worked well enough.

I've straightened my shifter 4 or 5 times...I crash a fair amount.

It isn't difficult.

Have a bit of patience and go slow.

I didn't see it answered yet... no, the fat bars won't fit your triples, you need to find some from a 620/695 750 etc

Damn, I was worried about that.  Although, the websites I've checked usually list all monster models including S2R's in the same handlebar description.  Do the S2R models use the same width handlebar mounts as my 620?

The S*R is 1 1/8" at the clamps I believe yours is 7/8"

You can use most anything up to S*R.

Even the earlier aluminum bars.

s2r dark handlebars are also straight n narrow - they are a direct swap.

Here are some options for shift levers, might save you a few bucks over buying from the dealer.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-SUPERSPORT-620-03-SHIFTER-SHIFT-LEVER-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45f446adcaQQitemZ300451016138QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1185wt_941 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-SUPERSPORT-620-03-SHIFTER-SHIFT-LEVER-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem45f446adcaQQitemZ300451016138QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1185wt_941)


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-MONSTER-900-94-SHIFT-SHIFTER-LEVER-LINKAGE-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem43a292ccfaQQitemZ290490338554QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1163wt_941 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-MONSTER-900-94-SHIFT-SHIFTER-LEVER-LINKAGE-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem43a292ccfaQQitemZ290490338554QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_1163wt_941)

If they are 7/8" bars, just go to Cycle Gear or your local dirt bike shop.   They don't have to be Ducati bars, that just makes them more expensive.   Buy some good quality ProTaper brand or one of the other good brands.   Probably stronger than the stockers, too. 

My brother tossed my bike.   Snapped the shifter tip off, took about 2 minutes for one of the welders to stick it back together, looks almost stock, nice straight TIG weld, made sure to get the shifter tip good and straight and square also.   Twisted the forks a little bit, put a ding in the tank, bars (ProTaper) didn't bend.   Found a nice pole, wacked the wheel up against it a couple of times, nice and straight now. 

Thanks guys for the recommendations.  I went with a Ca-cyclework's handlebar, and bent the shifter back into place with a hammer and the concrete floor.  I'll be replacing the handlebar on Friday.  Again, thanks everyone for the help. 

got a question does ducati use the same shift levers and attachment points for all their bikes? i have an older 620 would the ss 620 one work on it even though it looks to be a bitt different?

Monster and SS shifters are not interchangeable.

Whelp, handlebars are replaced.  Just spent this evening fitting my new M5 Works handlebar from Ca-Cycleworks (love those guys.  Shipped the same day I ordered).  

The bars have a flatter bend to them, the controls are farther forward than with my stock bars.  Now, I'm not sure if this is from my stockers being bent back by previous owners' crashes, or if they truly are more forward swept than stock.  

Either way, I am stoked.  The position is excellent.  Much more natural on my wrists , and the bike seems to turn much faster now with my weight that little bit farther forward.

Anyways, thanks guys for the help on these.