Quote from: ShiftSix on November 30, 2008, 10:18:42 PM
Thats sad.  I was told the same exact thing when I was looking for my S2R, and that was the reason they couldnt price match Eurosport... also told me I should go buy the bike from them, but they wouldnt take it to them for any maintance...   I was alittle shocked.

Anyways back to part of the orig. question.  what should be expected for the first service. and services from there on out?  I wasnt expecting to drop a G every time the bike needs a checkup...

On a side note I am pretty savvy when it comes to working on cars and such and have many tools.. so i am not afraid to get alittle dirty and turn a wrench if it means saving some cash...    *I am not use to this poor college student roll* haha

The unfortunate truth about Ducatis are they are more expensive to buy and even more expensive to maintain.  AMS has an expensive overhead and even more so relative to Eurosports in Fort Worth.  AMS is a single line dealer with access to the the most exotic of the models and ability to service them.  I have seen bikes there which Eurosports would not have on their showroom floor.  Eurosports has the Triumph line along with the MotoGuzzi and Aprilla to bring in more customers.  They now have the Bimota line too.  I'm sure they too would like to charge $100/hour for labor but the client base won't support that kind of labor charge. 

For many different reasons, I have ended up buying 5 different Ducatis from EuroSports both new and used.  Many times it was because of convenience since I live closer to them and the bikes had caught my eye while I was in their showroom.  Again for many different reasons, I have had the bikes serviced in both locations and AMS has never refused to service my bikes just because I didn't buy it from them and neither has Eurosports.  Of course I have never asked either of them to price match.  I know what the response would be and I understand so I don't go there.

The good news is, with the proper tools and skills, many of the Ducs are servicable by people willing to do it themselves and both AMS and Eurosports are willing to acccept bikes for normal service that come in with oil changes and other things already done buy the owner.  RichD does a lot of his own service and has a good working relationship with AMS.  Bryant8 does work on his bike too and is friends with the folks at AMS.  After warranty work can be done by Randy in Dallas who is less expensive than AMS. 

There ia a manual by LT Snyder regarding both 2 valve and 4 valve bikes that many use as a guide in doing their own work.  There are videos by Chris kelly for serviceing Ducatis.  In the end however, it is still not cheap and downright expensive especially for those who don't service their own bikes. 

Oopps, I forgot to mention, if you are really desperate, there are mod and service parties held where anyone with enough skills to drink from a bottle of beer can wrench on your bike.  Those are the most fun to watch.  Oh, did I mention it's a spectator sport too?   

cdc

I just wanted to put this out there after the tone of the last two posts seemed a slight bit negative.   I'm not trash talking AMS.  I took my bike to them, because I was told by other riders, and reviews I read that they are one of the best service departments in the nation.   And I have confidence that Jeff, and the rest of the crew will return my bike to me in perfect condition. 

I'm a Grad Student, who makes about 20 grand a year.  If I want Termi's or other things done, I have to research, plan and save.  It's a big deal for me to drop $500.00 to a thousand bucks.  I'm disappointed by their prices as they are considerably higher then a couple of dealerships that are closer to me.  I would love to only use AMS.  I just can't afford it.   And for the record, I bought my bike out of Colorado.  AMS seems more then happy to work on it. 

The sales guy asked me if I wanted them to do the 600 miles service, I said no that I could handle all of that myself.  He get's all stern with me and tells me that the belts have to be harmonically balanced and that's something that only they can do.    Anyone heard of this Harmonically balancing crap?  According to Eurosport a 600 mile service is just "change oil and filter,
check brake and clutch fluid, brake pads. Adjust and lube chain and test ride."  All stuff I can handle. 

Quote from: Clickjack on December 01, 2008, 09:41:50 AM
I just wanted to put this out there after the tone of the last two posts seemed a slight bit negative.   I'm not trash talking AMS.  I took my bike to them, because I was told by other riders, and reviews I read that they are one of the best service departments in the nation.   And I have confidence that Jeff, and the rest of the crew will return my bike to me in perfect condition. 

I'm a Grad Student, who makes about 20 grand a year.  If I want Termi's or other things done, I have to research, plan and save.  It's a big deal for me to drop $500.00 to a thousand bucks.  I'm disappointed by their prices as they are considerably higher then a couple of dealerships that are closer to me.  I would love to only use AMS.  I just can't afford it.   And for the record, I bought my bike out of Colorado.  AMS seems more then happy to work on it. 

The sales guy (kind of jerk, but seems to be in their blood) asked me if I wanted them to do the 600 miles service, I said no that I could handle all of that myself.  He get's all stern with me and tells me that the belts have to be harmonically balanced and that's something that only they can do.    Anyone heard of this Harmonically balancing crap?  According to Eurosport a 600 mile service is just "change oil and filter,
check brake and clutch fluid, brake pads. Adjust and lube chain and test ride."  All stuff I can handle. 

Sorry if my post came across the wrong way.  Actually the whole post was just a lead in to the "service and mod parties" we occassionally do around here which is fun and at the same time gut wrenching when you consider that the donor bike gets worked on by a bunch of boozed up mechanical wiz kids.  We could work on your bike if you want.  Let me check the schedule.... 

cdc

would yall be interested in a Termi Install?

On a serious note:

Checking the tension of the cam belts are done in different ways, one of which is by sound (harmonically).  I'm serious.  I'd go into more detail but I'd run the risk of stepping on my own tongue.  Then I'd fall down and hurt my head.  That hurts, don't ask me why I know.

cdc

Quote from: cdc on December 01, 2008, 09:55:48 AM
Sorry if my post came across the wrong way. 

Not so much that it came across the wrong way, as I don't want to come across the wrong way.  The last thing I want is AMS to think is that I'm getting free warranty work out of them and then trash talking them behind their backs.   I really wish I could just plop a stack of cash down and have them do everything I want done. 

Quote from: Clickjack on December 01, 2008, 10:01:29 AM
would yall be interested in a Termi Install?

Hey y'all!!!  We have a victim, I mean a client.  

Let's see.  Along with the usual suspects, we would need someone who actually knows what he was doing.  That would be either RichD or I know Bryant8's did his so he has more experience that I do.  So all we now need is beer.  I have a few choice selections from previous parties and we can get some more for when it doesn't matter what we're drinking.

Oh yeah the bike, ...ahh we'll wing it.  

WHEN?

cdc

Not quite sure when yet.   I have the cash for the parts.  I'm just figuring out if I can actually buy them or if I need to put this money into bills.   My profession doesn't hire people if you are behind in your bills.  I'm a little behind and I have a job test in Feb. 

I'll get back to you. 

Quote from: Clickjack on December 01, 2008, 09:41:50 AM...The sales guy...get's all stern with me and tells me that the belts have to be harmonically balanced and that's something that only they can do.    Anyone heard of this Harmonically balancing...

The belt tension needs to be set/checked when the engine is "cold" (~72°F )
The original specification for belt tension is 110Hz (if you pluck it like a guitar string it vibrates back-and-forth 110 times a second).
The new official (and probably somewhat unpublished) belt tension for the 1098/848 is 80Hz.
If you are not trained/experienced and have the tools you can not tell the difference.
So what does the 30Hz difference in frequency really mean?
SIX DEGREES of cam timing difference!

-That is a LOT.


Where did the factory actually set it on your bike (old/new specification)?
Have the belts "bedded in" some?  
Has the manufacturing finish on the pullies polished out -affecting the tension? (probably!)

You could get away with not checking/adjusting it,
but it may not run right, might stall, etc.
IMHO it is best to check it at the 600 mile tuneup.

CDC is right, mod partys are cool.  I got to watch a carb torn down and cleaned, then actually reassembled so it worked! way above my paygrade

The bolt on steps of a full exhaust install are pretty straight forward.  Loose fit all the system then slowly torque the bolts to spec, checking fit the whole while.

Life is easier with a lift, but not necessary.  I didn't use one for either of the exhuast installs I've done. 

I do recommend getting some SS nuts to replace the OEM ones on the header pipes as they are prone to getting rounded off. 

But you will want to get your TPS reset at the dealer, not to mention a dyno run/mapping session to get tweak the A/F ratio to suit your bike.  Yes the stock DP ECU map will work fine, but no two bikes are exactly the same.  IMO a custom map will make the bike all that much better. 

I saved a good amount on doing the install myself and the taking the 848 up to AMS for the TPS reset and dyno session later.

In fact Jordan did the TPS reset while my bike was still in the back of my truck.  Off the top of my head the dyno time was about 3 hours at shop rate.

Hopefully I'll be taking my exhaust off again soon for some ceramic coating this winter

installing the exhaust is the easy/cheap/fun part...i put my arrows on in the street by myself...nothing else needed, and it runs great with the stock ecu.

Quote from: Wallace on December 01, 2008, 10:20:38 AM
The belt tension needs to be set/checked when the engine is "cold" (~72°F )
The original specification for belt tension is 110Hz (if you pluck it like a guitar string it vibrates back-and-forth 110 times a second).
The new official (and probably somewhat unpublished) belt tension for the 1098/848 is 80Hz.
If you are not trained/experienced and have the tools you can not tell the difference.
So what does the 30Hz difference in frequency really mean?
SIX DEGREES of cam timing difference!

-That is a LOT.


Where did the factory actually set it on your bike (old/new specification)?
Have the belts "bedded in" some?  
Has the manufacturing finish on the pullies polished out -affecting the tension? (probably!)

You could get away with not checking/adjusting it,
but it may not run right, might stall, etc.
IMHO it is best to check it at the 600 mile tuneup.

And this is why I  when I see RichD.   

Quote from: bryant8 on December 01, 2008, 10:59:28 AM
Life is easier with a lift

Quote from: Clickjack on December 01, 2008, 10:16:28 AM

I'll get back to you. 

Quote from: cdc on December 01, 2008, 10:12:33 AM
Hey y'all!!!  We have a victim, I mean a client.     .........Oh yeah the bike, ...ahh we'll wing it.  

WHEN?

cdc

Chickened out eh click?  J/K

cdc