new M900 owner in VA..

[imthestig]

Been lurking in the shadows here for a bit, and figured it was finally time for me to make my introduction thread. My name is Mark, im residing in Fredericksburg Va. i just recently picked up a 99 M900 with 16k miles. Bike was mostly stock aside from from frame sliders and exhaust. for the short time i have had the bike i have added...

-Monster Tail chop kit
-Barend hindsight mirrors
-Rizoma clutch pressure plate
-Griptech tank grip

i think now im going to focus a little bit more on some maintnance stuff.

when i picked her up


riding home


sexy clutch time


how she sits now


i must say this bike is a pleasure to drive!

[herm]

congratulations on a great bike, and welcome to the board.

[Narflar]

Hey, another VA guy not in NoVA!  I'm down in Richmond.  Not a big scene around us but there is a Local Board for NoVA, DC and maryland.  Check it out if you haven't.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=20.0

[Curmudgeon]

Welcome! 

There's an excellent dealer in Winchester. Not inexpensive, but competent. They must be swamped with this warm weather. Good team though. http://www.ducpond.com/ When were the belts last changed and how old are the tires?

As Narflar noted, there are bikes in Central VA, but hard to coalesce without a dealer in Richmond Metro proper. If you feel adventurous, from ~ 9 - 10 AM on the 2nd Sunday every month, a mass of bikes collect at Poe's Pub in Richmond. Participation varies but I've seen as few as 10 and as many as 40 Ducatis there, particularly if the crowd from the Norfolk area ride in.

Narflar, at the end of last summer I spotted a red/white stripe S2R1K (?) riding though Oilville as I was headed to Montpelier. No time for more than a wave unfortunately as we were both "moving". 

[ducatiz]

That side pic of you makes you look like you wear a shoe size of 14 or bigger.. you may need rearseats to make you more comfortable.

How tall are you?

Nice bike!

[Slide Panda]

And he didn't say - but 'Tiz is one of the CAM gang, as am I. Both NoVA denizens though.

Getting to Winchester would be a good haul for you - but Ducpond is a good shop. I'm not sure what's what down your way

So you've got a unique bit of kit on there. That rear brake was only stock from the factory on the 2000 900S - otherwise it was a Ducati Performance add on.

I'm going to steal from one of my other recent posts regarding older monsters:

So now for the older monster speech
Buying an older bike, especially a duc there's some stuff to check on.
The Cam belts are a two year/12k miles service life item. If you don't know how old the belts are think hard about replacing them. at 7k miles I'd assume they are 11 years old unless youv'e got anything that says different.
Valves should have been checked at 6k intervals - any notion of that was done?
Fluids should be replaced. This is oils (fork included) and hydraulics.
Any notion of how old the tires are? Most manufacturers recommend a service life of about 5 years on moto tires. They do get stiff over time and loose their grip and ability to flex.
Some techron in the gas tank wouldn't hurt anything either.

So, welcome - and pop by CAM

[imthestig]

Thanks for all the info guys..

Curmudgeon, I have heard alot about ducpond, there is also Coleman's here closer to me in woodbridge I'm going to try out.

Ducatiz, lol those are only 10.5's and I'm 6ft. I feel pretty comfy on this compared to my old 600rr. Belts were changed at around 10k so I'm planning on changing at 20k.

Sad panda, previous owner was a triumph tech and explained the valves to me. I'll be making an appointment here soon at 18k. Fluids are on the list for that appointment as well. Tires still have some life in them, and still have a soft feel. However I already bought a set of Q2's sitting in the garage ready to be put on. Also as part of my basic new to me vehicle maintenance, I already ran some seafoam through the gas/oil/carbs..

can't wait to make it out and meet some other duc owners and see there bikes. I'll be sure to poke around the CAM section. 

[Slide Panda]

Sounds like you've got it in hand - but any notion about the belts?

That's a pretty easy DIY job. I'm guessing that with an engine hoist in the garage you've got all the tools to do it.

There's another older duc purchased intro thread here:
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=55945.0
Linked to a vid of a belt change. If you don't know the belts age consider a new set cheap insurance.

[imthestig]

After looking at that video I think I'll just take care of it now. Looks like a relativly easy install!

[Slide Panda]

Yeah - it's no biggy. If you like your tools pick up one of these
http://www.motomfg.com/Crank_shaft_turning_tool_for_Ducati_s_p/et-1.htm
Makes life a bit easier, but not necessary. I'm assuming you know the turn the rear wheel trick, just a bit more fussy than the accuracy of turning the crank directly.

Another tip is wear gloves. The vert cylinder is a bit of a PITA. when the timing marks are lined up the cam is hovering on the edge of the helper springs. So you need a bit of force to get it in position and then it loves to go over the nose of the cam if you look at it funny. My 900 was being fussy one time and I was at it for a number of tries bare handed as I was in a buddys garage. Hand a couple raw spots for my efforts.

[ducatiz]

Thanks for all the info guys..

Curmudgeon, I have heard alot about ducpond, there is also Coleman's here closer to me in woodbridge I'm going to try out.

Ducatiz, lol those are only 10.5's and I'm 6ft. I feel pretty comfy on this compared to my old 600rr. Belts were changed at around 10k so I'm planning on changing at 20k.

I wear an 11.  It must just be a trick of the image because your foot looks crazy long.

If you must go to Colemans go to the one in Merrifield.  They have a Ducati tech there who actually knows the bikes.

[Slide Panda]

If you must go to Colemans go to the one in Merrifield. 

He means falls church. There's no Colemans in Merrifield.

[ducatiz]

He means falls church. There's no Colemans in Merrifield.

i thought the area there was merrifield..  there you go.. falls temple.

[imthestig]

Well judging from some research and some other local opinions, looks like I'll be making the trip to ducpond for any real work that I'll need done.

[Curmudgeon]

Getting to Winchester would be a good haul for you - but Ducpond is a good shop. I'm not sure what's what down your way

Hmmm... It's "only" 140 miles for me or 125 to Yorktown.  No comparo between Donnie and Redline either IMO. Just the price of riding a decent bike...