Just purchased first bike! From San Diego CA

[Stephan1992]

Hey everyone ! Just bought my first bike, a 2003 Ducati monster ie! It had 4k miles on when I picked her up the Monday of this week. Got it for a really great price. I just need to put a power commander on because they had a full arrow exhaust system without doing so. So I'm waiting to get the money to order one online .  It's been dreadful this whole week not riding ! I have my first bike and Im having to wait to take it out. I just don't like how off the throttle feels and its way to lean . I honestly don't feel enough power coming out the bike: so I'm waiting till I can install that PC . And also I'm repaintin the bike today. The last thing I wanna say to all you is , does anyone have a stock Ducati monster headlight from 2003-2006 laying around I really need a original headlight . I have dual rizoma headlights on right now that came with the bike. Let me know if anyone wants to trade or sell me something ! Thanks
-Stephan

[Slide Panda]

Welcome - you bought in a good town. CA-Cycleworks is there - so if you ever need help - look 'em up.

Well there's some stuff you *NEED* to do first.
- Know how old the cam belts are? If you're not sure they have been replaced in the last 2 years (or at all) you need to get new ones. They are a 12k mi. or 2 year item.
New fluids - oils (fork included) hydraulics.
If the tires are original, you should be looking at a new set as well. Tires usually have a recommended service life of 5 years. As they age they get stiff and you get less traction.

Now for the power commander - If the airbox is stock (full lid, paper filter) you're probably fine with out the PC. Just running the exhaust doesn't alter the Fuel/Air mix, which the PC does.

Are you sure it's running lean? have you taken and steps like running a couple tanks with and additional does of something like Techron or Sea Foam?

[Stephan1992]

Ya I needa replace all fluids Forsure, and get new brake pads. Also hydraulic fluids and everything else you mentioned. As for my cam belts, the previous buyer has documentation of replacing the belts recently! But I haven't check myself. My bike has rizoma belt covers and you can see through the cover because it has clear plastic coverings. And I can easily take them off and check the belts , what exactly am I looking for to find out if my belts need to be changed ?!?! And ya I think I do need the PC because in 4-6 gears it lacks power . And the throttle sometimes lacks response, If that makes sense. Also it seems rich , so that's how I know it's running lean. I've found CA CYCLEWORKS. Can they do everything for me there??  Thanks Sad Panda !!! I need some advice , I appreciate it. That's why I joined this forum .

[Slide Panda]

if they have been replaced within the last 2 years you should be set. I'm assuming he's got some sort of reciept.

As far as a visual inspection of the belts - it's possible you'd have a belt on the edge of failure that would not have obvious signs. But never hurts to look. Cracks, shiny spots, anything shredded are all bad news.

2003 What btw?

Also it seems rich , so that's how I know it's running lean.

Yeah no... I think you're a tad confused. Running rich and running lean are the opposite ends of the spectrum. Rich is too much fuel in the mix, lean is too little. Both can cause poor running. In this case it is probably lean as there's plenty one can do easily to a bike to lean the fuel-air mix. Adding fuel is harder (more expensive)

Check under the tank and post up what's going on in the air box. Stock, the lid will be mostly enclosed with a sort of snorkle and the filter will be a paper media filter. If the air box lid has been opened up and/or the filter is a cotton gauze K&N type filter that will allow in more air and lean the mix.

If you have the ability to get some photos and post online - pull your spark plugs, take a good photo of each and post. The condition of the plugs can indication the running condition - Rich or Lean

There's other stuff that can cause poor running/ low power also. Clogged injector, clogged fuel filter, poor performing pump etc can restrict the fuel supply and cause problems.

So - take a look under the tank and let us know what's up. Also get thee some Techron and add abit to the fuel per directions.

Hold off on oerding the power commander - unless it's shipping with a pre-loaded 'canned' map that's appropriate for your model+ exhaust it won't do jack shit without tuning which needs to be done at a place with the right gear.

CA-cycle can handle all your needs. I'm not sure they have a Dyno, for tuning Power Commanders Etc - But I live on the wrong coast to be an expert on all the services they offer.

[Stephan1992]

I have a 2003 Ducati monster 620 ie. and the belts are fine. I checked. Also I came upon a major problem!! My first spark plug has oil !!! I'm so upset.  And its probably due to crack cylinder rings. I'm really bummed out ! I wasn't able to upload pics . But I think I found my problem . My bike could be running on one cylinder . That's probably why it's lacking so much power. I did a lil research before reply. Buy I'm not sure. Forsure I'm going to take it to cycle works so they can get my running right .

[Slide Panda]

Are you sure it's oil? It could be wet from gas as well if the cylinder is not firing. Easy way to tell is to leave it out on a bench, shelf etc for 24 hours. If it's still wet n glossy that's oil. If it's dried then it's gas. Gasoline soaked carbon deposits can look like old oil.

So before you go jumping on a cylinder rebuild figure out what really is the problem.

You know Occams Razor? - Roughly the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.

In your case there's a number of more simple and likely things that are causing it to run on one cylinder. For example a loose wire or poor connection.

But if you're unsure how to proceed, Chris and his crew at cycleworks can sort it out.

[Stephan1992]

What's occams razor ? Can you explain please. And yes it's Forsure oil. As soon as I get home I'm going to check for any lose wires or poor connections anywhere , and everywhere.

[Slide Panda]

Occams Razor? - Roughly the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.