Shutdown issue

[austrasian]

Just bought my first Ducati 600cc about a month ago. Fairly new to bikes, brand new to Ducati. Love the way it rides, but at very random times the bike will shutdown while im riding at anywhere between 20-60 mph. I sometimes manage to start it while im still cruising, but other time I have to pull over turn the key wait a few seconds and it starts straight up. It's a 2001 monster dark, I took it to my mechanic after I bought it and he gave it the all clear. Before I take it again, I want to have something for him to work on, as I think he must have missed this one. I don't know a lot about bikes, I fear it's an engine problem. Any advice or ideas are welcome.

[Bill in OKC]

It *sounds* like fuel starvation.  The first and probably cheapest thing I'd do is a new fuel filter.

[Bones]

well....MAYBE fuel.

could be electrical, but start with the simple stuff. If you are still on your first tank of fuel, that might explain a lot right there.

but yeah, start with the filter, while you are at it, check all electrical connections in the tank for the pump (sometimes the solders break on those).  check all grounds and make sure they are tight and clean.

double check your plug wires to make sure they are on tight and check connectors at the spark boxes.

[scduc]

I wouldn't stake my life on it, but it most likely is not an engine problem. As recommended, check grounds and fuel filter and conections.  Also, does she shut right down or does it stutter alittle then die? Regulators have been known to go bad, but that would be a long shot. 

[Howie]

Welcome to the board.  If you are taking the bike to a shop, it is best to tell them the symptoms and any info about the events, like you told us.  Also important are service records, if available.  When was the last service done?  What was done.

Fuel filter is a good place to start, since it is a maintenance item anyway.  You also may have a tank venting problem.  When the bike stalls open the fuel filler cap.  If there is a vacuum, bingo!

If timing belts were not done in the last two years or 12K miles it is time.  Starting out with a fresh service on a used bike is a good idea, valve adjustment, oil change, oil and fuel filter, brake and clutch fluid, carb synch, and tires if over five years old.

[ducpainter]

It sounds, to me anyway, that you may have a broken wire in the harness near the steering head. It basically activates the kill switch,and was a fairly common issue on earlier monsters.

Try to duplicate the problem while stationary by turning the bars left and right and moving the harness.

[austrasian]

Wow, relived that it's not a engine issue. Will take it in and get it checked again and change the fuel filter.
scduc: It shuts straight down, no stuttering.
The kill switch wiring seems to sound closest, but I will for sure check it all out.
Thank you all.

[DaFoose]

On my old 85 FZ750 after I got it, it would sputter and die when I rode it on the highway. When I pulled over for a bit, it would fire back up, run for a bit and die. Could not for the life of me figure out what was going on. Tore the fuel system apart, rebuilt the pump, new fuel filter etc.

Turned out, when I tried to look through the hose from my fuel pump to carbs there was a small piece of wood lodged in the hole!!! I have no idea how it got there, maybe someone plugged the hole and it broke off? no idea, but I laughed my ass off when i figured out. Coincidently to remove the piece I whipped the hose around untill centrifical force sent it flying! I definately  after that.

Of course that was a case of sputering, not straight dying, so probably not applicable in your case. just wanted to share that little gem.

[scott_araujo]

scduc: It shuts straight down, no stuttering.

That seems more likely to be electrical.  Fuel starvation tends to taper off or stumble.  Running fine to completely dead sounds electrical.

Scott

[Howie]

Start the bike up and wiggle the harness coming down from the kill switch at the head tube.  If the bike cuts out ducpainter is correct.

[austrasian]

Start the bike up and wiggle the harness coming down from the kill switch at the head tube.  If the bike cuts out ducpainter is correct.

I'll give it a try. Cheers!

[redial]

i had a problem similar to this but the low fuel light would flicker when revving

it was a loose battery connection, shutting off the fuel pump.
tightened up and all was right. worth a second to check your
gas light at least. good luck