servicing

[The Mad King Pepe']

yeah, the pond is far, but flexible. I bet that if you called and arranged it properly you could probably ride out for the service while you cool your heals and ride home.

Obviously they would need some lead time if you're trying to make an appointment like that - It can't hurt to call.

Called them once for a valve check and mentioned riding there and back. They gave me a no-go due to the fact that they need to let the engine cool down in order for the measurements (valve clearance) to be accurate.

[Slide Panda]

Hmmm yeah - that'd make sense -dur.

You probably don't want to wait the extra hours for the engine to come down to air temp.

[Artful]

Either that or pour some ice water on it while it's really hot. That'll make access to the valves much easier anyway once the head cracks.

[The Mad King Pepe']

Either that or pour some ice water on it while it's really hot.

What a waste! I'll drink a few beers and recycle (or is it re-use?). 

[tocino]

I have a small garage here in Silly String (right by DC / Tacky Park border), tools and a compressor, so if people want to do a garage night that'd be cool.
I do not have shims nor have I ever done a desmo valve so if that's desired someone needs to bring them. Maybe someone wants to demostrate?
If there's a big prob a bike could be left (although I will claim no knowledge of tasty billet / Ti parts that supposedly were on the bike when abandoned your honor, abandoned by THAT MAN THERE! (jury gasps))
Oil changes, brakes, minor electrical no problem for an afternoon. I also have a computer, so I can show you how to buy a bike you don't need off of craigslist.
So if people want to do a garage night let's do it. I know this has come up before.

[sbrguy]

i don't think the 600 mile service needs valve check but who knows.

dupond is good for simple stuff lik that they will do it wihile you wait if you schedule ahead, for other things like that, the valve jobs they do require to leave it butif you drop it off you can pick it up in a day or two later if you want they usually do that pretty fast, none of this leave the bike for 4 weeks when we get around to it.

[Meerkat]

So if people want to do a garage night let's do it. I know this has come up before.

Knowing that you at least know how to take a fork apart, I'd like a reservation for respringing my forks to haul my fat ass around. If you're down, we could make it a suspension clinic. I'll help you set your sag if you help me set my sag. I'm taking the total control class next weekend (4/3) but can do it either day of the following weekend (4/9-4/10).

Anybody know what else I need to have to do this right?

[The Mad King Pepe']

Tutorial here: http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=37079.0

The most important things are (in my opinion):
- take measurements so the forks go back in right (not higher or lower)
- get the right tool to compress the fork tops when you need to close them
- make sure the bike will not fall over (strap to the roof, ladder, whatever) and don't do this:





That's the spare wheel and jack from a Golf III, 2 and 1/2 computer programming books holding up the bike.

[Autohag]

i don't think the 600 mile service needs valve check but who knows.

According to my manual and experience, valves are NOT checked at 600. It's more than a glorified oil change, though.

Call DucPond, make an appt for a weekday morning (9:00 AM), leave the house/apt at 7:45. Take I66 West (all the cops are watching traffic eastbound) and ride like the wind.

When you get there grab breakfast across the street and, after, walk down the street to the pedestrian mall. Enjoy Winchester for a few hours and head back to the shop. BS with Chad and the other folks on the floor. Have a bottle of water and check out the merch. A few minutes later your bike will be ready.

[tocino]

I recommend breakfast somewhere else 

[tocino]

Knowing that you at least know how to take a fork apart, I'd like a reservation for respringing my forks to haul my fat ass around. If you're down, we could make it a suspension clinic. I'll help you set your sag if you help me set my sag. I'm taking the total control class next weekend (4/3) but can do it either day of the following weekend (4/9-4/10).

Anybody know what else I need to have to do this right?

My dance card is free that weekend. I've never changed springs on upside-down forks but me and my hammer will try anything once!

[Autohag]

I recommend breakfast somewhere else 

You cook?!

[Meerkat]

My dance card is free that weekend. I've never changed springs on upside-down forks but me and my hammer will try anything once!

I watched a youtube video, so we should be pros! I figure the worst case scenario involves throwing it on your trailer and paying you gas money to haul it to the suspension guys at MRP (Lars recommends them regularly). I'll throw a post up in tech to try and figure out what we need besides springs.

Racetech says, "It's easy. Buy our Gold Valve Kits, High Performance Springs, and Ultra Slick Suspension Fluids and install them yourself. (If you get stuck call your Tech Support 951.279.6655.)" I figure I can give them a call since I'm stuck before I'm started.

[tocino]

Trailering will not be necessary, I think we can figure it out. Plus I have a friend who's done USD forks before so we'll wrangle him if needed. Did you plan on revalving? Springs and fluid should only take an hour. Revalving usually is only changing the shim stack, but we'll have to watch the YouTube video just to be sure

I found your next bike:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/mcy/2285290532.html

[dgm]

I just had my 600mi service done a few weeks back.  My dealer is a good 1.5 hours ride away and they did check my belts.  I got there in the morning, they let it cool for hours and then did my service, including the belts, which they called the premium service or something like that...not required, but recommended.  It was around $300.  I spent the day there, except going for lunch, watching the Daytona race and talking with other bike guys and gals.  It wasn't a terrible way to spend a Saturday.