The - NFG's First Monster - thread.

[monsta]

the speedo will just be a cable. Pretty easy job...  I've done it twice to the monster over the years.

[NFG]

That's kind of what I figured, monsta.  I've had similar things break, and really - on a 16 year old bike - I expect these sorts of minor faults.  If the dealer pays for parts, I don't think I'd have a hard time doing the work.  I'll have a look at it tomorrow in the daylight, pull the cable out (any guides for this?) and see what's in there.

EDIT:  DucatiSuite to the rescue.  Looks easy, should be able to diagnose the problem in the morning.

[dragonworld.]

Make sure the cable has a nice round arc from where it attaches to the speedo drive, if its too sharp an angle it'll chew cables up purdy quick.

Easy to bend 'em when the wheel getsa tightened. 

[Spider]

Know of a car mechanic in Albury who put himself through the Pegueot training to become an authorised mech....worst money he spent....the little bastards don't break down apparently!

[dragonworld.]

Know of a car mechanic in Albury who put himself through the Pegueot training to become an authorised mech....worst money he spent....the little bastards don't break down apparently!

There are 2 blokes at work who might debate that point!!  

One has an old 305 I think, and a new 306, and they break down fairly regularly. The new one has had to be towed back to the dealer when it karked it twice this year......so far.  
Maybe he should move to Melbourne, plenty of work for Pug mechs down here.      

"Phuggin'  French Shitbox" is a term often heard at knock off time. 

[NFG]

I've been driving French cars my whole life, always Renault.  From the earliest Le Car (A 1.4l hatch with hardened windows that'd explode on occasion when the body flexed) to the Alliance GTA (.89g!) to a RenaultSport Megane 225 (current car) they've never really failed me.  They require attention be paid to maintenance of course - don't ignore that thumping sound, idiot - but keep on top of things and they'll run forever.

Thing is, once you fall in love with a Renault you can't drive a Ford or Hyundai or Toyota without wanting to cry a little.  =)

Changing gears, here are three things I learned about the Ducati today:

1. It's harder to start in the morning, and I think the battery might be weak: the starter kind of engages, waits a moment, then kicks over.  A world of difference to the car: insert card, push "start" button.  =)

2. When going fast downhill, I need to be aware that things approach quickly indeed.  Nearly missed the turn for my office driveway, and managed to lock the back wheel for a fraction of a second.  Lesson learned. 

3. When shifting, there's a OOH/horn/some-kinda sound that I didn't notice yesterday.  Still cold, or indicative of something else?  Dunno.  Will watch that.

[monsta]

Changing gears, here are three things I learned about the Ducati today:

1. It's harder to start in the morning, and I think the battery might be weak: the starter kind of engages, waits a moment, then kicks over.  A world of difference to the car: insert card, push "start" button.  =)

2. When going fast downhill, I need to be aware that things approach quickly indeed.  Nearly missed the turn for my office driveway, and managed to lock the back wheel for a fraction of a second.  Lesson learned. 

3. When shifting, there's a OOH/horn/some-kinda sound that I didn't notice yesterday.  Still cold, or indicative of something else?  Dunno.  Will watch that.

1. Yes they are hard starting, but check the connection at the starter motor, maybe take it off and clean the contact. The boot gets water in it and it has nowhere to drain.I drilled a small hole in the bottom of the boot for it to drain.

2. Your not using to much back brake are you? 
Dunno how much riding experience you have, but I remember when I first got the monster I went through a set of rear brake pads in no time, and there were lots of lockups. I was told to use the front more, and I've never replaced the back since(except when the pin fell out and I lost the pads!) I could gladly unbolt the back brack now and piss it off.

3.  Clutch maybe?
has it got an open clutch cover?  the cover deadens the sound fairly well if its standard, and you maybe hearing the 'ducati clutch groan'

[NFG]

1. I don't think it's the connection, it really seems like a weak battery.  It turns over until it meets compression resistance, then stops for a quarter second before getting past it and ticking over again.  Not worried...  yet. 

2. Basically no riding experience.  Or at least, tons of pushbike experience but it's not exactly the same experience.  Riding is easy, but I was out practicing today and more than once had trouble shifting/braking/signalling in quick succession.  Taking it slow, taking it easy, and practicing.  Not keen to push that envelope.

3. Yeah, I think it's the clutch groan.  I'm getting better with the shifting thing, I reckon I'll have it more or less nailed by the weekend.  It's good fun, I haven't felt this pathetic since I was 16 and learning to drive for the first time.  =D

[heatherp]

2. Basically no riding experience.  Or at least, tons of pushbike experience but it's not exactly the same experience.  Riding is easy, but I was out practicing today and more than once had trouble shifting/braking/signalling in quick succession.  Taking it slow, taking it easy, and practicing.  Not keen to push that envelope.

Umm where did you get your (moto)bike licence from exactly?   

Yes taking it slow is a good idea.  It's not how fast ya can go, it's how long ya can go fast! Something my mentor used to tell me.

[NFG]

I got in on the last Q-Ride class, basically.  Full opens on a couple of hours tutelage.  Signed up for five hours and by the end of the first my instructor was shaking his head, wondering how we were going to spend the next four hours 'cause I'd already worked out more or less everything he needs to teach before the test.  After that, it's just practice.  =)

I'm a cautious driver by nature, and I've got a healthy fear of things that can spread me 'round the asphalt, so I think I'm in a good place when it comes to riding the Monster.  Still, it's all new territory and great fun for it. 

It's all I ask out of life - new challenges and the roar of ridiculous machines.

[heatherp]

I got in on the last Q-Ride class, basically.  Full opens on a couple of hours tutelage.  Yeah was like that back in WA years ago.  Now (and when I got my licence had to ride a 250 for 12 months).

It's all I ask out of life - new challenges and the roar of ridiculous machines. Well you are in the right place here then.

[Betty]

NFG, good thing with taking it easy ... there was a mini-debate on here recently regarding the q-ride system which extended out from policing motorcyclists in qld.

As for a couple of the issues you are experiencing:

Just as monsta said the front brake is your friend ... just be careful of your modulation ... you can't just go grabbing big handfuls of front brake. But care on the front brake also tends to put more emphasis on the rear for a new rider - firstly because the rear is not as strong but also because it is not the 'steering' wheel. Practice is the key and a 'proper' riding course is probably a worthwhile investment. Also be mindful of coming off the rear brake midway through a lock-up ... if the engine is running fast enough and the rear wheel re-gains traction you could be in for an intersting ride.

Without encouraging you into areas you don't want to go yet ... what sort of revs are you holding? The engine braking on a monster if very powerful. If you are overshooting your turn points it might be worth keeping the revs up a bit (lower gear not faster speed) and using the engine to help slow you down ... might make it easier if you are a bit tentative with the front brake.

As with all the above bullshit I don't really know what I am talking about, but could the noise NFG is hearing be intake noise?

Good luck, take it easy and stay safe.

[NFG]

Thanks for that, Betty.

Re: Q-Ride...  Yeah, it's a good idea to require real instruction for bike riders, but the instruction I got was not really sufficient.  I think I took to it quickly, but certainly I think people should get more training before being set free on the wild streets.  I'm glad I made it through before the stricter rules, but I am more glad the rules are tightened for new riders.  It's important, dammit.

You're bang-on about the rear brake.  I think though that one of the main reasons I'm not (yet) using the front brake enough is 'cause it's on the wrong damn side.  All my mountain biking experience is from Canada, and our rear brake's on the right, the front on the left.  I've made the mental connection between rear brake and right foot, but that's left a disconnect for the right lever.  The reflexes haven't yet connected it to the front brake.  I'm not worried about over-using it, I know exactly what happens when you lean on it too hard.  =)

I have no idea what revs I'm doing, there's no tach on the '94.  It's one of the first things I want to add, but I'm torn between making my own and buying one.

I use the engine to slow down a lot.  It's a habit from driving the car, and also I love the sound it makes.  ^_^

I think all the noises are normal. 

[Betty]

Re: Q-Ride...  Yeah, it's a good idea to require real instruction for bike riders, but the instruction I got was not really sufficient.

The consensus was (I think) that q-ride is neither sufficient or real instruction for a new rider.

It's a habit from driving the car, and also I love the sound it makes.  ^_^

Geez you make it sound like you drive a manual car ... didn't know they existed anymore . As for the sound ... with stock exhausts I found myself purposefully looking for opportunities for heavy engine braking ... now its a different story.

[NFG]

You bet I drive a manual.  Six gears of turbo bliss.  =D