new guy from sharon, on

[Jcraft200]

Hey there everyone,

I'm Mark and I live in Sharon, On, Canada
I've been riding for about 20 years. The last 10 years I have just been riding Friends bikes. I sold mine for a boat. Ya know, boys will be boys. And the difference between men and boys are the price of their toys.
I finally just bought and picked up my dream bike. 2001 M900. Due to limited selection and cost here in Canada, I went down to PA to get it.
Now that I'm back, I'm itching to ride. Only problem is the temp is at the freezing mark. Oh well the spring will come soon enough.
Cheers All

[Slide Panda]

Welcome,

Well you can always play with it over the winter. Know if it's all up to date on the maintenance? On Ducs, the timing belts are spec'd to be replaced at 2 years of age, so that would be something to look into.

New fluids, like brakes and oil. If you're feeling more industrious and have the capacity to support the  bike you could have the suspension out for a refresh. Forks and shocks do like some TLC. If the shock's never seen a service it really should. Forks too as they need TLC a little more often.

[Jcraft200]

Hey Slide Panda, thanks for the reply!
I am getting the belts done in the spring. It is already booked in. Yay.
As for the forks and the shock, what do you propose is done? Brakes are good and the fluid is good. The oil is good. Changed before I picked it up.
I would like to do some stuff over the winter. Just trying to figure out what to do.

Cheers

[Slide Panda]

Well, of course, it depends a bit on their present condition. Might just need a refresh, might need more invasion.

At the least sending off the shock to have the oil replaced and a new gas charge. I just came from a talk about shocks over the weekend and the expert recommended a shock refresh every 2-3 years for a street bike depending on how hard you ride and the conditions. For a race/track bike refresh annually. - They had a neat demo shock with a clear body and showed what happens to the oil if the gas charge gets too low - massive cavitation and foaming of the oil.

For the forks, new oil 12-18 months. Fork oil takes more abuse as it's not in a pressurized environment. Also, fork oil is easier to change out.  Probably  good idea for the sliders to get pulled from the tubes so the seals and bushings can be inspected. New seals probably won't hurt, and I'd wager you need new bushings. While the sliders are out, it's a good chance to polish them for smoother action.

If you're not sure one, the other, or both have ever been serviced you might be in for some more work. Bushings probably need to be replaces and probably seals. And depending on things, some cleaning out. Fine particles rubbed off the various surfaces can clog ports passages if left go too long.

I just dumped the fork oil on my SuperMoto and it was basically opaque black  - was clear cherry soda red color when it went in.

If you've got a local shop you trust, have a chat with them and work on a battle plan. Depending on whats needed it could get expensive. My shock refresh, which needed no new parts was $150 (us) - though I live in a high labor cost area. I did the forks myself, and it was about $150 in parts + my time. New seals, bushings, and oil. The seals for the KTM were a bit prime price - seals for the Duc were less, last time I did 'em.

[Ducati Doctor]

Hello Mark, it appears we have the same taste in bikes, I aso have recently purchased a 2001 M900, which I believe to be a " Dark " model, it is also a previous US bike.. I will also be doing oil changes and belt replacement before hitting the road in the spring.... best wishes and good luck in the up-coming New Year.
Pics will be coming shortly..

[Jcraft200]

Thanks for all the tips.
The belts are being done in the spring. The parts didn't come in time before I shut down for the winter. The oil will also be done in the spring. Question about oil, what I'll is recommended for this?
I will order seal and fork oil too. I am going to be looking at the rear shock as well. I will do all my reading during the winter on it.
Does anyone know of a god website for tips and instructions? I found ducatisuite.com and they were pretty good. Just looking any others.
Also, would like to get a shop manual. Any thoughts?

Merry Christmas

[Ducati Doctor]

Haynes has a good manual covering the Ducati 2 valve V-twins '91 to '05...
try
www. Ducati.ms
another great forum, lots of info and pics

and for parts diagram
www.ducatiomaha.com
I am sure there plenty of other sites but this is what I found to be the best so far....