I would like to remove both side covers and send them out to be powdercoated. Is this something an average garage mechanic could tackle or should I have someone a bit more knowledgeable remove the covers? Is there a tutorial that shows how to do this ?
Just drain the oil and start removing stuff. It's pretty simple (especially with an air cooled bike). I forget, but if you have a dry clutch, you may have to remove the clutch bits too, in which you'll need some air tools or a basket removal tool. You'll need gasket goo to put back on the cases when you get them back from PC. I would make sure they mating surfaces are not PCd though.
More will have (better) info following I'm sure...
Here are a couple threads that should help...
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=18571.0;topicseen (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=18571.0;topicseen)
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=20215.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=20215.0)
Yeah, this may be a bit too involved to me. Especially since I haven't had the bike long. Anyone local to San Diego know any good shops other than the local Ducs dealerships?