Introduction....

[Cookie Monster]

Thanks for the tip! I will have to get a pair.   [moto]

[whidbeymonster]

the 696 and 695 have a clutch that doesn't engage until it is almost all the way released which sucks for women with little hands cause it doesn't give us a lot of clutch control and always made me feel nervous. i got titanium (grey) levers with black adjusters and they look sweet and make me a lot more confident with the clutch. 
tara

[Cookie Monster]

I have a '97 M750 and I'm pretty sure it's the same.  I felt like I was doing bad things to the clutch, until my last adjustment where I can at least engage it all the way.  I'm thinking about replacing the hydraulic clutch fluid too, it's probably been in there since '97.  The mechanic thought it looked okay but I think he just thinks I'm a wimp.    He had no problem pulling the lever in. 

The bike sat unridden most it's life (4400 miles on it when I got it in May) so the more I ride it the better it works. Except for the clutch that seems to get worse so maybe there is something to riding it and gunk in the fluid.

Anybody ever change their clutch or brake fluids? I'll have my honey do it but wondering more if it is something people do as a maintenance thing.

By the way new tires are 

[lauramonster]

took my bike to the local bike shop for a quick oil change - and the guy changed the clutch fluid.  Was rather upset how black it was.  Told him ducs are known for it. 
Brought it back a week later and showed him the black fluid.  He said never saw it trun so fast.

Yeah, I'd change it considering how long it's been sitting in there.  They can use brake fluid or any other fluid that can handle higher temps.  (Brake fluid was recommended by 2 other guys who have ducs).

S2R manual says to change the clutch & brake hoses every four years, and I would assume you'd change the fluid at the same time - so a minimum of 4 years would be a good guess.

[jdubbs32584]

Thanks for the tip! I will have to get a pair.   [moto]

+1 on the Pazzos. I've got them on my S2R 800. Love em. So much easier for my tiny XS hands.

[Cookie Monster]

So I better change the fluids then...

Thanks for all the help!

-Naomi

[Dr Eti]

Hi Maz,

Was really interested to read about your modifications. Picked up my 696 last Tuesday. It's my first Ducati too and I also find the standard riding position far too uncomfortable. I'm getting my seat custom upholstered but was keen to know more about your handlebars and how much work was involved in rerouting the cables.

Any chance you could post a few detail pics of the handlebars and cables?

Thanks

Dave

[MAZ]

Dave,

I am afraid I may not be much help.  I wasn't involved in putting on the bar and rerouting the cables and therefore have no idea of how mucy work was involved.  Jarel and Jeremy at Ducati Omaha did all the work - you could give them a call.  I think it took them a couple of hours and I am sure it would take far less now that they have done it once.  Pictures of the bars and wiring are below.  I did them as links because I didn't want to upload that many pictures to this board.  You can see that the wiring isn't as clean looking as it was before, however, I don't really care about clean looking wiring - I care about my comfort when riding.  If the wiring being routed outside of the forks bothered you, you could always have custom cables made which would be longer and allow the cables to be routed like stock.  In the three weekends I have had the 696, I have put 1,300 miles on it - it is that fun to ride!  [moto]

http://zs.smugmug.com/photos/345248129_75vum-L.jpg
http://zs.smugmug.com/photos/345248065_9CHt8-L.jpg
http://zs.smugmug.com/photos/345248003_6pYZJ-L.jpg
http://zs.smugmug.com/photos/345247976_3fn3Z-L.jpg
http://zs.smugmug.com/photos/345247955_8iZc5-L.jpg
http://zs.smugmug.com/photos/345247920_vjkcS-L.jpg
http://zs.smugmug.com/photos/345247897_o6Frb-L.jpg
http://zs.smugmug.com/photos/345247867_Hymg3-L.jpg

[Ducatista]

Dave,

I am afraid I may not be much help.  I wasn't involved in putting on the bar and rerouting the cables and therefore have no idea of how mucy work was involved.  Jarel and Jeremy at Ducati Omaha did all the work - you could give them a call.  I think it took them a couple of hours and I am sure it would take far less now that they have done it once.  Pictures of the bars and wiring are below.  I did them as links because I didn't want to upload that many pictures to this board.  You can see that the wiring isn't as clean looking as it was before, however, I don't really care about clean looking wiring - I care about my comfort when riding.  If the wiring being routed outside of the forks bothered you, you could always have custom cables made which would be longer and allow the cables to be routed like stock.  In the three weekends I have had the 696, I have put 1,300 miles on it - it is that fun to ride!  [moto]

Fixed.

[MAZ]

Thanks!  I would have done that myself but some board mods get a little irritated when lots of pictures are uploaded.  Guess I don't have to worry about that here 

[Ducatista]

Thanks!  I would have done that myself but some board mods get a little irritated when lots of pictures are uploaded.  Guess I don't have to worry about that here 

Nah, with the number of really intricate mods that folks do, it makes more sense just to embed the photos.  Any whiny people can just scroll down.  The pics that they don't like are the ones that are too wide.

[somegirl]

These pictures aren't being uploaded anyway, we are just linking to the smugmug site.  So no problems posting them.

[NekkedChic]

Maz and Tara-
 
hello! Question on the Pazzo levers, is this for comfort?  I am in terrible hand pain after just a short while on my clutch hand.

Maybe this is the answer, adjustments have helped but not that much.

Thanks!
Naomi

"Adjustments"-please tell me which??! I am awaiting my order for Pazzo Shorties anxiously and had a REALLY bad, off day today on bike with clutch reach and nearly pulled bike over at a stop becuz I did not get a good grip and daredn't let it out WHEW, saved it tho. SO, hubbi is online trying to figure out if there is ANYway to adjust lever in meantime until Pazzos get here. ANYONE have clue if even possible? THANK YOU and otherwise SOO luv my new 696-perfect fit in every other way!

[Cookie Monster]

hey there! I can't tell you the technical stuff but basically we loosened a nut/bolt/something and moved the clutch lever to almost 90 degree angle with the grip (vs maybe 45 degrees) and that did help some. The angle it was at before was too much of a stretch for my hand.

 I was at a Italian Bike/Car show this weekend and tried a few other older monsters clutches and they were the same as mine. The newer bikes seem to be better. I am having the fluid replaced on the hydraulic clutch next. 

Let me know how you like the pazzo levers! I need to get some ordered for spring or I'll have to use hand grips over the winter to maintain the nice muscle tone I developed on my forearm. 

Good Luck!
Cookie

[jdubbs32584]

hey there! I can't tell you the technical stuff but basically we loosened a nut/bolt/something and moved the clutch lever to almost 90 degree angle with the grip (vs maybe 45 degrees) and that did help some. The angle it was at before was too much of a stretch for my hand.

 I was at a Italian Bike/Car show this weekend and tried a few other older monsters clutches and they were the same as mine. The newer bikes seem to be better. I am having the fluid replaced on the hydraulic clutch next. 

Let me know how you like the pazzo levers! I need to get some ordered for spring or I'll have to use hand grips over the winter to maintain the nice muscle tone I developed on my forearm. 

Good Luck!
Cookie

Hey cookie, I went from non adjustable (meaning how far away they are from the grips) to pazzos. They absolutely saved me. Definitely get them, and get them now. Adjusting like you did (change the angle in reference to the grip) can help alot but if you want more, go ahead and get the adjustables.