The time to change the belts has come and gone; and I'm not comfortable doing it myself since from what I hear, fracking up the belts will turn the engine into a mutant zombie which will devour all the world's kittens.

So, I'm planning on taking it to MotoCorsa to be molested by professionals for a change. I was thinking Chesire, but heard he doesn't take credit cards and since it's been a slow fall and winter, I'm stuck with the miracle magic of finance charges.

Since MotoCorsa's not open today for me to pester, you poor souls are stuck with me. And I'm bored.

So how's it work, they tell me when they have an opening in their schedule, I make an appointment, I bring bike in, they fix, I get bike back in days?

Or is it first come, first serve with the bike just sitting there waiting in line for weeks?

And what about parts? Do I order them through the parts department and bring in the bike when they arrive? Or do they take care of it and then call me to bring the bike in? Or do they take the bike apart to see what they need and then order the parts while the bike just sits there in a million pieces for months on end while the stuff comes from Italy?

Any enlightenment for those of you that have used them, is much appreciated.

Step 1) Order belts from Chris at CA Cycleworks

Step 2) When belts arrive go to the store and buy a case of Full Sail Session Lager

Step 3) Bat your eyes at Visolara and call Mother dirty names

Step 4) get you, bike, belts, and beer...you are optional after calling me names...over to Maurices house

Step 5) sit back and let us do your belts for free

Step 6) you buy the breakfast and the tylenol

I always have called... they tell me when to drop it by... they usually have the basic service stuff in stock... this is a pretty good time to get service too... not really that crowded.

or

go to Motocorsa

Crew is beyond competent

service times are long

shop rate is stiff

but hell they are a top rated Ducati shop

so you get that warm IZ_ secure feeling when it is done that it is done right

usually a better feeling than the cold wet creepy feeling you get when you let a bunch of drunk strangers work on a portion of the motor that will grenade the top end if done incorrectly  

Quote from: Mother on January 05, 2009, 02:50:10 PM
Step 1) Order belts from Chris at CA Cycleworks

Step 2) When belts arrive go to the store and buy a case of Full Sail Session Lager

Step 3) Bat your eyes at Visolara and call Mother dirty names

Step 4) get you, bike, belts, and beer...you are optional after calling me names...over to Maurices house

Step 5) sit back and let us do your belts for free

Step 6) you buy the breakfast and the tylenol

So many good memories...

That's why I got me that service contract. Of course... once it runs out... I may be buying some Sessions Lagers.

Hey Mo  - Still got them tires? Any chance you got rims too?   

Quote from: ryandalling on January 05, 2009, 02:53:20 PM
this is a pretty good time to get service too... not really that crowded.

I'd have thought the place would be packed this time of year, since riding isn't that great I would think every Ducati in the area would be in. Interesting, I wonder when their busiest time is.

Quote from: Mother on January 05, 2009, 02:54:09 PM
that warm IZ_ secure feeling when it is done that it is done right

Mother, it is that feeling that is driving me to the pro's. I've had her now for 18 months and I'm the only one who has touched her in all her secret places during that time. I was thinking it would be nice to have somebody who's sure they know what they're doing, but . . .

getting drunk with strangers while working on motorcycles is so much more fun. I live for that cold creepy feeling, that "I've had 3 showers at 200 degrees and still feel dirty" is the best. As long as I don't wake up the next day in jail, and/or with a sore sphincter it sounds like a great idea.

My garage rocks in the fact that it has a kegerator, but really sucks because of no heat. So if anyone has a warmer place they are willing to offer, I would happily bring as many consumables as 2 panniers can carry.

Quote from: ryandalling on January 05, 2009, 03:38:17 PM
That's why I got me that service contract.

I got her used. I have no idea what she was doing for the first 5 or 6 years of her life. But between the chrome trumpets and the flame job, is must have been interesting.

I love it when a plan comes together! I may as well do my belts then too. 

I'll drink to that

hell i have a leaky base gasket that needs to be replaced as well. mine as well make it an all nighter

Quote from: cloud2blue on January 05, 2009, 04:22:15 PM
So if anyone has a warmer place they are willing to offer, I would happily bring as many consumables as 2 panniers can carry.

Our garage has a kerosene heater in it, heats pretty well.

Just puttin' that out there.

While I'd love to hand the keys to the pros and let 'em have at it (mine needs the 12k service), I don't have the thousand dollars MotoCorsa is asking for.  My VWs seem to think I'm pretty handy with a wrench, and I've got all the books & interwebz info that seems to be required, so I'll be saving myself a buck or two and doing the 12k belt replacement and valve check/adjust on my own.

I just hope I don't grenade the motor.  But even if I do, it's a good thing there are lots of 900 desmodue engines & parts on fleabay. 

Quote from: Tailgunner on January 05, 2009, 04:24:23 PM
I love it when a plan comes together! I may as well do my belts then too. 

Is belts part of the 12K service? If so, im at 12k i need my belts done too. Hell lets have a belt party.

Quote from: NeenjaMastah on January 05, 2009, 05:56:03 PM
Our garage has a kerosene heater in it

You guys have a karaoke machine in ur garage?!?!!  that's so cool!!!

Quote from: SaltLick on January 05, 2009, 06:26:12 PM
Is belts part of the 12K service? If so, im at 12k i need my belts done too. Hell lets have a belt party.

Cam belts oughta/should be changed every 10k(?) or two years, whichever comes first. Mine were last done in March of '07. The belts cost roughly $85.00 give or take, the valve cover gaskets are about $15.00 total.

Quote from: BibleBoy on January 05, 2009, 06:25:44 PM
I just hope I don't grenade the motor.

There are indicators that tell you where the valve location is plus I think you can see. Mine can be the guinea pig, I have faith that things will go very well  Lets have a maintenance session yo. I'm gonna buy everything I need from Cheshire.    BILLY

wait is there a time and date already set for this shin dig?