7500 mile service

[Ranger06]

I am about to hit 7500.  I called the dealership today to schedule the service and was told by one of the maint tech's that Ducati recommends the valves be adjusted at 12500, not 7500.  Now, I can read, and the book says otherwise.  The tech simply said that it didn't need to be done.

What gives?  Does it need to be done or not?  He said he'd do it but it would be a waste of money as it would be in the ballpark of around $700.  I have read more than a few posts where people said that after the valves were adjusted at 7500 miles, it was like riding a brand new motorcycle.

Seems to me it should be done.

[sbrguy]

tell your dealer to reread his manual and remember that if its from Italy its probably in KILOMETERS 12500 is in Kilometers not miles, which when converted go to approx 7500 miles.

[Slide Panda]

tell your dealer to reread his manual and remember that if its from Italy its probably in KILOMETERS 12500 is in Kilometers not miles, which when converted go to approx 7500 miles.

Yeah I think someone's been looking at the Metric specs... or they are thinking of the older 12,000 mi adjustment spec... either way you're right, they are not.,

[Ranger06]

Thanks guys, that was what I suspected, just wanted to be sure.

[woppini]

Chances are they wont need to be adjusted. But a piece of mind is well worth a good nights sleep- get em' checked

[Duc Fever]

Just had mine done for the 7500mi service (albiet @ 9000mi, better late than never ) I will be picking her up tomorrow and am curious to see if there is a noticeable difference.  I thought she was running great when I broke down and brought her in; so we shall see.  I will post up with my impressions.

[desmoworks]

Just had mine done for the 7500mi service (albiet @ 9000mi, better late than never ) I will be picking her up tomorrow and am curious to see if there is a noticeable difference.  I thought she was running great when I broke down and brought her in; so we shall see.  I will post up with my impressions.

It shouldn't run any different unless there was something wrong with it to being with!

[Speeddog]

It shouldn't run any different unless there was something wrong with it to being with!

If the valve clearances are out of spec, then it *will* run better when they're in spec. 

Either that or all of my customers who've had me adjust their valves are crazy when they say the bike runs better.

[sbrguy]

If the valve clearances are out of spec, then it *will* run better when they're in spec. 

Either that or all of my customers who've had me adjust their valves are crazy when they say the bike runs better.

sorry nick, i'll have to admit and say your customers are clearly and obviously crazy 

[Ranger06]

Is it hard to do...adjust the valves?  I have the Desmo book, and it talks about it, but is it a hard task to learn?  What are the penalties for screwing it up?

[desmoworks]

If the valve clearances are out of spec, then it *will* run better when they're in spec. 

Either that or all of my customers who've had me adjust their valves are crazy when they say the bike runs better.

I guess you didn't read what I wrote then? Out of spec would be considered "something wrong", no? 

[Speeddog]

I guess you didn't read what I wrote then? Out of spec would be considered "something wrong", no? 

Eh, my mistake, I read it as *wrong*. 

[Duc Fever]

Well I picked up my bike, the Valves were checked and no adjustment was needed (8940mi !!) One of the belts was loose and was tightened up, oil was changed, air filter was changed, chain was lubed, bike is running with no discerable difference from how it was running before, but as was already mentioned since there was nothing wrong with it this is normal.  Just kind of wish the $760+ cost could have been rationalized with some type of performance improvement 

[He Man]

Well I picked up my bike, the Valves were checked and no adjustment was needed (8940mi !!) One of the belts was loose and was tightened up, oil was changed, air filter was changed, chain was lubed, bike is running with no discerable difference from how it was running before, but as was already mentioned since there was nothing wrong with it this is normal.  Just kind of wish the $760+ cost could have been rationalized with some type of performance improvement 

I dont get it, you got charged $760 and no adjustment was needed? where did all the money go to then? I cant see all that service needing more than 2-3 hours at a slugs pace.

[Ranger06]

That's what I was quoted, as if it were a deterrent to not have the service performed.  I got the indication that the tech really trying to talk me out of the valve adjustment.  How hard is it to do yourself, I mean, I'm an FAA A&P mechanic and have all the tools one could ever need.  Is there something really tricky to it to justify the money?  I'm not stupid enough to think that just because I can turn some wrenches on a helicopter, that makes me a car or motorcycle mechanic, they're completely different animals.  But, I'd like to think I'm at least a little mechanically inclined.  With that $750, I could buy a nice lift for my garage, oil, a filter and still have some $$$ left over.

Anyone out there ever do their own valves?