The - NFG's First Monster - thread.

[NFG]

Hey bazz, had a bit of trouble navigating the unpunctuated expanse of your helpful reply, so I'm gonna try and turn your post into something I can understand*.  You let me know if I got this right?  =)

Give your carbys a birthday.  Everyone carries on about jets etc, but neglects the air jets which are open to the elements.  Get new needles and seats and dont forget to synchronize them as well.  You can build a syncro for less than 40 bucks if you want a fancy one, or just use two clear hoses and some water.  Fuel octane rate will not cause richness.

Up to there I think I get you, but this one confounds me:

been down road with omc out boards when they started blowing up bazz  

What does that mean, exactly?

* No offense meant.  =)

UPDATE: Turns out if you leave the tank flipped up for a while it'll start to leak through the (breather?) tube.  One more lesson learned...  =D

[monsta]

I was just searching for something else and found this, relevent to your starting probs...
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=21784.0

[dragonworld.]

I was just searching for something else and found this, relevent to your starting probs...
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=21784.0

Just recently purchased this kit for the 750, made a BIG difference!

[NFG]

If I go this route I'll probably do the wiring myself.  I'm more comfortable doing that than I am giving my CC details to weirdos on the intertubes.  =D

[bazz20]

when omc outboards released there there fuel injected out boards they started blow heads off the motor they first blamed owners saying they put the wrong fuel octane in and that caused them too run rich and caused carbon build up and raised the compression so much that they exploded , then the fuel company's got involved as law suites started flying around in the end we leant two things octane does not make engines run rich the only thing thats makes an engine run rich is fuel and air and poor combustion and others are spot on with battery leads on older ducs replace the lot and check evey terminal cheers bazz     

[loony888]

have you had your service done yet? if not, it's better to be safe than sorry! with a lack of experience onboard it would be rather easy to tip off from a hiccup or inadvertant stall.
if you have been told to watch out for the electrics i'm guessing you've been chatting to old timers, ducati have used japanese electrics since about '89.
oh, if you want to get what you pay for in your service without getting ripped off go see bevan at EUROTWINS 3715 5088.
the dealers (in my humble opinion but from extensive experience) are crap here in se qld.

paul.

[NFG]

Thanks for that, Paul.  I might give them a call.

Sure hope their mechanical skills are better than their website skills - their site is utterly and completely broken.  It's so bad I cannot even believe it's an accident, wow.

EDIT: With a little help from dad, I fixed the rough idle and general stutter by adjusting the idle screws as seen here. 

[loony888]

yeah, their website was a new thing but bev was let down by the web designer and it's been left alone since. their forte' is bikes and that they do very well, no fancy publicity or polished websites, just excellent work at a good price.

paul.

[Q777]

have you had your service done yet? ... go see bevan at EUROTWINS 3715 5088.

That is about the best advice you'll read.  Bevan is awesome.  I even bought one of his shirts after I had my S4RS suspension dialled in, new tyres and some other general maintenance done there (and I NEVER wear shirts promoting companies).

Craig

[NFG]

Went and met Bevan today, and picked up a speedo cable.  Was very happy with everything, from his attitude to the time he took to explain the things he told me.  He's booked solid for a few weeks, but I'll be taking the Monster in for a checkup and service as soon as there's a spot. 

Thanks for the recommend.  =)

[NFG]

Bike wouldn't start this morning.  Hadn't ridden it all weekend, got it out this morning and had to choke-start* it briefly, but then everything went pear shaped.  Massive backfiring, wouldn't idle without my hand on the throttle (see: backfiring).  As soon as I let the throttle go it'd chuff to a halt.  Checked the choke, checked the gas, found a loose hose had come off the oil vapor recovery tank, reattached that to no avail.

Last time I had running problems I just tweaked the idle screws and all was well (Also, I think the choke doesn't release smoothly when pushed back in...)  I'm reasonably sure it's not the idle screws this time, but the wake-the-block backfiring really kind of alarms me.

* It seems I have a one-revolution window to crank the starter and blip the throttle to get it going first thing in the morning.  If I miss this, I have to use the choke. 

[brimo]

Have you drained the carbs and checked for water?

[NFG]

I didn't try that, no.  I'd be surprised if it was water, since I just filled up a few days ago, but it wouldn't be the first time I've had water from the pump...

I've been unable to find any kind of guide or instructions for draining the carbs.  Know any?

[brimo]

My bike is fuel injected, however most carbs will have a (usually brass) plug on the bottom or side of the carby. Hold a glass jar under it when you open it and you will soon see if there's any water in there.

Here is a handy website too...
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Motorcycle-Repair-837/1998-Ducati-Monster-Breaking.htm
and I've also found this handy..
http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm..

[NFG]

Thanks for those links, I will be checking them out.