18k mi service: what things may need additional inspection/replacement?

[hydra]

hello folks!

so i'm bringing in my '02 S4 Foggy to Pro Italia in Glendale, CA for it's 18k mi service. they agreed, as part of the deal when i bought the bike last week, that they would do a full servicing on the bike.

this is my first duc and i want to make sure it's in tip top shape when i leave the shop. i'm not too keen yet on things i should watch out for. could someone please educate me a bit on a few things?

-what should be covered in a "full servicing" besides oil change and valve adjustment? i want to here it from someone who has experience and not just what the dealership says.`
-will they replace the belts or just replace them if worn?
-what other things should i ask them to inspect further than they're required?
-are there any things i should upgrade while they have the engine apart? things that might eventually need replacement and can be replaced with a better aftermarket or performance part?

this bike is bone stock. oh and i'm also having them do the chop kit...
other members here have suggested i do a revalve on the forks and new springs and oil for the rear. does anyone have any idea how involved of a job it is? is it something that can be done in a few hours? i can afford an additional $1000-$1500 if need be.

thanks in advance...

[Speeddog]

IMO, they should replace the belts and do the valves, unless they can document that they were done recently.
Check *all* the rockers for flaking chrome.

Oil and filter, fuel filter, refresh all fluids and bleed the brakes and clutch.

Check brake pads, chain and sprockets for wear and replace as necessary.

Go for a larger rear sprocket, 39t works good for me on my S4.
Some folks like it geared even lower.
You could go with a 14t front, not the best option IMO, but it's good for lots of folks.

You've got a PM.

[ScottRNelson]

They should also synchronize the throttle bodies, set the idle speed, and maybe do a little tuning of the mixture so make sure that it runs as smooth as it can.

Check the price list here: http://www.nicholsmfg.com/service.html for what a full service at a good shop ought to cost.  Belts are just the additional cost of the belts themselves, no added labor charges.

[Speeddog]

----------snip-----------
Check the price list here: http://www.nicholsmfg.com/service.html for what a full service at a good shop ought to cost.  Belts are just the additional cost of the belts themselves, no added labor charges.

Honestly, you're not likely to get prices like that at any shop outside of Nichols.
Certainly not at ProItalia.

[mitt]

at 18k, it is probably time for new oil in the forks too, but that is probably above and beyond what they had in mind telling you a full service.

mitt

[clubhousemotorsports]

+1 on the fork oil (shock oil too)
If you do freshen the fork oil that is the time to change the springs and compression valve........ If it is needed. That bike has a good spring in it already. have the sag checked before disassembly, if out of the range there should be little added cost to upgrade beyond the cost of the spring.
If where you ride there are not a lot of sharp edged bumps (pot holes /frost heaves/ expansion joints) then you probably do not need to revalve.

Also have the fuel filter changed.

The dealer should have something they can give you to let you know what will be done and for how much $$. ask now so you do not have to complain later.
good luck.... nice bike

[hydra]

sorry for the late reply folks...i been workin'

thanks so much for all the solid input. this helps me soooo much. it's exactly the ammo i need when i bring her in. this thread will also help other freshman ducati owner's in the future...

[hydra]

hello folks,

here's an update on the 18k servicing done at Pro Italia, Glendale:
i can honestly say that i'm happy with their service. it took about a week to get the bike back when they originally told me i'd have the bike back in 3 days. but this is typical for most dealers i've been to, so i'm not really trippin'. as long. Patrick, the shop supervisor apologized for the delay and said he wanted to put their best guy on the job (Mark) so i guess i had to wait for him to finish up other jobs. so far as i can tell they did a really thorough job. so now my baby's all refreshed and hopefully i won't need to do these things for awhile. next time i'll be paying for it and they'll be charging me about $1050 for a full service...   so all in all they dropped $500 off the total cost of the bike and saved me over $1k for the service. no complaints from this customer!

i haven't had time to really get any riding time since i got it. i only had time to ride it to work after picking it up and then from work to home in the evening. but i do feel a little smoother overall operation and the 39t sprocket feels really nice. i'll really only be able to test the change on some twisties.

THANKS to Pro Italia for the solid work and the nice deal on my Foggy
EDIT: i also really want to thank Speeddog for all the input he gave me before i brought her in. he sent me a PM to call him and pretty much broke it all down for me as he's got an S4 himself. THANKS 
i'll be seeing you at flight cycles for some penske's and other things real soon...

here's the breakdown on what was covered in the servicing:

1. valves adjust
2. oil
3. flush brakes/clutch fluid
4. flush radiator
5. replaced all fluids
6. fuel filter
7. Check brake pads- (replaced rear pads, my cost)
8. sync TB's, set idle, tune mixture
9. Checked *all* the rockers for flaking chrome. (they found 1 flaking rocker and replaced it)

not covered with the servicing: they checked these components for wear but i had to pay for the parts/labor.

9. sprockets for wear and replace as necessary. (front sprocket needed replacing and i replaced the rear with a 39t)
10. replaced belts. (as per my request as i wanted everything as new as i could get it)
12. check chain- (replaced with new)

[arai_speed]

Very cool, glad they took care of you.  I live about 3 miles from their shop and I just can't get myself to go there, their prices are beyond restrictive for me.  I use them as my highest common denominator when it comes to prices on parts and service