Friend just layed down my bike

[csorin]

Hey guys,

Let a friend who just completed the MSF course last weekend ride my Monster 620 in the parking lot.  Long story short, he forgot about clutch modulation and ran it into a curb.  He's fine, was going maybe 10-15 mph.  He hit at a fairly acute angle, but I'm still a little worried about the front forks.  Anything I should look for/feel for on my ride home? 

This isn't the first time the bike has been down.  The previous owners had both dropped it.  Only damage I can tell is the handlebar got tweaked back a smidge causing a dent in the tank (doesn't quite match the MASSIVE dent I bought the bike with on the opposite side), the gear lever got bent back, and the foot peg snapped in two.  Other than that, the sliders saved the rest of the bike.  Honestly surprised how well they worked. 

On the plus side, the incident convinced him to not buy that 848 he was eyeing.  I feel bad for the guy, but it was a good lesson for him to learn.  Oh, and new helmet coming my way .

[csorin]

Another question for you guys.  How do I go about replacing the handlebar?  Is there drilling required?

[Monster Dave]

"Let a friend who just completed the MSF course last weekend ride my Monster 620 in the parking lot."

I just am curious - why???

[Turf]

Check for straitness in the forks, if something is wrong with them you'll notice pretty damn quick.

can probably bend the gear lever back, be careful as they're prone to snap

620 is the 4 bolts on the triple and removing all the controls which are easy.

If you get a stock bars no drilling, if you get handle bars that dont have the holes for nubs alot of people just sand the nubs off and wrap the bar where they're going to go with ducttape to grip onto, it works well.

Check the part for sale section here...usually a handlebar floating around.

[csorin]

Why not?  Guy took an MSF course.  He was professionally taught how to ride.  I've no problem letting someone who has taken a ridercourse to try the bike.  I was glad to give him the experience of what a "small" Ducati Monster felt like. 

I just am curious - why???

[csorin]

Thanks paper for the info.  I appreciate the response. 

Check for straitness in the forks, if something is wrong with them you'll notice pretty damn quick.

can probably bend the gear lever back, be careful as they're prone to snap

620 is the 4 bolts on the triple and removing all the controls which are easy.

If you get a stock bars no drilling, if you get handle bars that dont have the holes for nubs alot of people just sand the nubs off and wrap the bar where they're going to go with ducttape to grip onto, it works well.

Check the part for sale section here...usually a handlebar floating around.

[Monster Dave]

Why not?  Guy took an MSF course.  He was professionally taught how to ride.  I've no problem letting someone who has taken a ridercourse to try the bike.  I was glad to give him the experience of what a "small" Ducati Monster felt like. 

I was just curious...nice of you to offer him the chance.

[csorin]

He feels pretty bad about it, but again, I'm glad I saved him from buying a 14k dollar death machine.

[Monster Dave]

He feels pretty bad about it, but again, I'm glad I saved him from buying a 14k dollar death machine.

For that matter, you may have saved his life!!! 

[csorin]

Looks like there are a couple handlebars floating around.  Will the 'fat' bars from the S2/4 series fit my triple?  Are all the pre-696 bars compatible with my 2004 Monster 620 and its controls? 

[Turf]

Thanks paper for the info.  I appreciate the response. 

no worries, glad your taking it so well also glad you persuaded your friend from buying a 848 for his first bike

[sbrguy]

well i give you credit for it.

that being said a stock handlebar is just bolt on, if you get a non stock just drill some holes for the controls after measuing them out, really simple just be careful with the drill.

a new shift lever is in order and a new peg, you really can't bend the shifters they are cast alum they break easy when bent again.  sorry it will cost around 70 from a dealer and you can put it on yourself, i did that with my bike but it was the brake lever rear, so good luck.

also good job of convinceing him not to get an 848 that would hve been bad.  rmemeber its not about maturity level with a faster bike its about the bike being able to go warp speed with very little throttle, there is not as much margin for error with a supersport bike now as there is with a monster 620.

[Buckethead]

He feels pretty bad about it, but again, I'm glad I saved him from buying a 14k dollar death machine.

I'd let him buy the replacement bar, and a six pack for when he comes over to help you replace it. That should assuage his guilt.

[csorin]

Yup, he's already offered to help.  Weekend project for sure

I'd let him buy the replacement bar, and a six pack for when he comes over to help you replace it. That should assuage his guilt.

[battlecry]

Rather than just give up on the shift lever, try a science experiment.

Get a torch and heat the area of the bend.  Place in a vise.  Straighten gently.  See if it works.  Too much heat and the lever will melt/burn.

When you replace the bar, note that the caps are directional.  One end goes flat against the triple casting, the other has a little wiggle room.  Get a torque wrench so you wont strip the threads.

If you really want to mess with your friend, get some grinding compound and have him lap the new bar in the caps.