Ducati Monster Forum

it's time to give BABs some  big love, i'm thinking about going ahead and doing the 10 or 12 k service (8.2k miles on her, but she's 7 years old).  not sure what that entails (haven't researched yet) but i know that it costs upwards of $900 at bob lundsfords.  i want to see what i can do myself but i suppose i'll need the maintenance book first.  can't believe i don't already have it.  anyone got a spare they don't need anymore or a cheap place to buy one?  also, i know i've been saying i need to make it to a clinic and i do.  my schedule sucks though.  so after figuring out that even if i could do some of these major things myself, i probably shouldn't.  suggestions, comments??   [bacon]

*if* for example you are already capable and comfortable with doing something as involved as changing a timing belt/water pump on a typical auto from start to finish, and are capable of understanding and following directions, then doing a valve check/adjust and belts on your bike shouldn't prove to be to difficult, just tedious.   

as far as manuals, both the haynes manual (amazon) and LT Snyder's manual (desmotimes.com) together provide very clear detailed instructions on how to do it yourself.

i would be glad to help, as well as maybe a couple other members could be convinced to also.

I can email you an "official" service manual in pdf form but it's from a 2006 S2R 800....and about 6 MB ...but alot of the stuff is identical ....    .if you want it just email me and I'll send it.....

theducatifan@austin.rr.com

also if you go on Chris Kelley's CA-Cycleworks site, you'll find short videos explaining oil changes  & valve adjustment and belt change :

http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/videos/


This is very helpful for shim selection/recording..it's an .xls file
http://www.ducatimonster.org/downloads/valvecalculator.xls  :


Check this thread for "sonic" belt tensioning:
http://www.ducatimonster.org/forums/1698369-post.html

you have a 900 right val?  I have the dual language 900 manual in the correct year in pdf format and I have both the 1st and 2nd editions of LT manuals as well.

as for the sonic tensioning, not necessary for the older bikes.  the 5mm allen wrench trick works just fine.  I would suggest you have a shim kit available to you as you work as it's a PITA having to stop what you're doing and go to the dealer to get shims.  You are welcome to borrow my 2V shim set if you would be willing to buy some of the shims that I am out of from emsduc to fill in the gaps that 5 or 6 valve adjustments tends to do to a shim kit...

I would also suggest if you're going to do this, that you spread the work out over 2 or 3 days, trust me, the last thing you want to do is be tired as hell and make mistakes...

oh, and i forgot, but there are a couple of specialized tools that'll make your life easier, not completely necessary, but it makes things kinda nice


on another note, I just buttoned up the heads on the 748 and manually went through several engine rotations without any binding or crunching sounds  :D... still need a new battery and some other odds and ends before I can even start her (fill with oil, coolant service, etc), but I may actually get to bring the 748 back up just in time for the monster to go down for new belts and brake pads, etc...  [coffee]

thanks for the info guys, i knew i could count on you!!
hiero, you've been pm'd
 [bacon]

ALSO!!!! my clutch fluid has recently turned black!  and there's a little drag when coming from a complete stop.  is this normal?  to my knowledge, the clutch fluid has never been changed.

clutch fluid tends to go black very quickly with the pee cup style reservoir masters, I would include a full fluid change with your valve adjustment though, brakes and clutch

oh thank god.  just glad nothing's 'wrong'