Engine life expectancy

[jonnymtb]

Unlimited mileage.

Yeah, you may need to do a top-end rebuild at some point, but these air cooled bikes are pretty robust.

What is involved in a top-end rebuild?  Rockers, cam, valves, valve stem seals?

When do I know the top-end needs to be rebuilt?

[junior varsity]

your mechanic will let you know when you are having leaks here or there when they are playing about during a valve job. or you'll report crap performance and they'll find out its got low compression somewhere and do some problem solving.

[erkishhorde]

Nearly 80k on my '95 m900 now. Bought it with 17k in 2002. Sadly it's been mostly super slap from LA to San Luis Obispo.

[duccarlos]

PhilB was at Indy this weekend. So if anyone saw a beat up looking Monster, it was probably Phil's

[Povidius]

I wonder if my 696 will hit 100,000miles.  I'll let you guys know in about 5 -7 years. 

Any tips besides changing the oil/filter often and getting the scheduled maintenance done?

[Speeddog]

I wonder if my 696 will hit 100,000miles.  I'll let you guys know in about 5 -7 years. 

Any tips besides changing the oil/filter often and getting the scheduled maintenance done?

Don't crash it. 

Keep it indoors as much as possible.

[junior varsity]

fresh tires? omitting that one is a great way to find yourself in the weeds.

[jonnymtb]

your mechanic will let you know when you are having leaks here or there when they are playing about during a valve job. or you'll report crap performance and they'll find out its got low compression somewhere and do some problem solving.

Seeing as I'm the mechanic I guess I have some tools to acquire.  I wish I could trust my dealer but the reviews for that place are terrible.  Not one positive review.  Unfortunately they just aren't about selling happiness and I am not about to get married to these guys over something I could learn on my own.  I'm dreading the day I have to rely on them for service.

[WetDuc]

I'm with you johnny.  I really don't ever want to rely on the dealer for service.  I'm not a terrible mechanic, but I do need to keep learning.


Other than ca-cycleworks, what kind of other resources are out there for learning Ducati service?  At a certain point, it almost seems worth it to just go to the mechanics school for ducs.

[ScottRNelson]

Other than ca-cycleworks, what kind of other resources are out there for learning Ducati service?

http://desmotimes.com/

Buy the maintenance guide, join the message board for any questions you might have.  LT Snyer is very good about helping with anything you don't understand.

[junior varsity]

+1.

[1KDS]

Some info here
http://www.ducatitech.com/

[BlackKat]

I recently met Phil at my local Duc shop here in Akron, I think they did a spot of service and it was 189k. Thats amazing, because based on what the tech told me, he has by no means babied that bike!

[junior varsity]

I've always thought babying a motor maybe worse for it than running it "thoroughly". By no means do I mean to say that one should bounce off the rev limiter in every gear...

[Speeddog]

PhilB was at Indy this weekend. So if anyone saw a beat up looking Monster, it was probably Phil's

Photo from Indy.
Pretty sure this is Phil B.'s ride:
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2010/motogp/indy/fan1/9d.htm