[Introduction] Noob Q&A

[muskrat]

service is at 6K.  I'll bet you need new belts and valve check/adjustment, the latter may not be necessary but some techy will chime in here.

[xRANDOx]

how much does that cost?

[junior varsity]

1200 +/- 200 based on parts needed to be replaced

bikes typically feel like brand new, mechanically, after a full service.

service includes belts, valve/shim clearance checked, plugs, oil change, chain/sprocket inspection/clean/lube, tps etc reset on fuelies, yadda yadda yadda

[junior varsity]

service is at 6K.  I'll bet you need new belts and valve check/adjustment, the latter may not be necessary but some techy will chime in here.

i always pretend any bike that i'm looking at "used" needs a service regardless of mileage and owner history, because its been out of my control. belts should be replaced upon purchase of new bike, as well as an oil change. That gives a second set of eyes on the bike besides the new owner, who may have overlooked something... especially something big, like a cracked motor mount, abnormal stresses in triple clamp, etc that may indicate the bike has been down before.

[xRANDOx]

So how many miles could I safely get over 6k before service. It's gonna be a month or two before I can save up another grand over this.

[CajunR]

Has the owner had it serviced at all?  He might have a documented history for ya... 

[muskrat]

1200+ for a 750?  I didn't pay that much and Jordan did the work.   

[junior varsity]

most of the time it is less, but i would rather say too-high rather than too-low and have a bad surprise.


A person could go over the 6,000mi service and only experience the adverse effects of slowly degrading performance - the services at earlier mileages are more important than the ones at higher mileage - as the motor gets lots of heat cycles, things change less.

keeping the belts fresh is VERY important though, a failed belt doesn't lead to degraded performance, it leads to grenaded performance.

[muskrat]

the most expensive insurance is none at all.......belts are cheap to replace.

[xRANDOx]

Proud new owner of a 2000 Ducati M750 Dark. I'll post up pictures tomorrow when I'm in the light!

287 mile round trip! Any tricks to getting bugs off the helmet? Found alot of those

[muskrat]

congrats. 
there is bug cleaner you can buy at Auto Zone or the like BUT you better make sure it doesn't strip the wax.  Some of those solvents are very strong.  Personally I use a microfiber towel that's wet and ring it out before wiping, then your choice of gloss enhancer like McGuires.  If the bugs are really bad then just lay the cloth over the area and let it sit for about 10 minutes.  Come back and wipe off.  That's the easiest method.

[xRANDOx]

so is windex a no go because it will destroy the wax? Also is there anyway to get a digital gauge setup on this bad boy?

[junior varsity]

no to windex.


i use wet microfiber or plexus+microfiber.


digital gauge: Yes. There are cheaper alternatives, and then there is the MotoGadget (http://www.spieglerusa.com/motogadget/). Its the one I'll eventually purchase and put on my Monster and the project bike

[CajunR]

Congrats!  And totally agree with the damp-towel-on-the-helmet method.   

[muskrat]

yeah, windex sucks IMO.  Plexus or the spirit cleaner they sell at Honda dealers is great.  If you have a cycle gear near by go there as well.