Nubie needs help with used Monster 750, no power

[SCouch]

I had been wanting a naked sport bike, or something like that, I just really wan't sure what I wanted.  I had a Concours, and a small Suzuki sport bike, but they just didn't fit the bill.  I live in Mississippi, and just don't see many Ducatis around here, I didn't even know what a Monster was.  I was told that the nearest dealer is Birmingham, AL.  But anyway, I found this one, and really enjoy riding it, its actually more comfortable than I had thought, and it handles great.  What a nice little bike!

So I heard about this one in a nearby town, and went to check it out.  The story is that unfortunately the owner of the bike had passed away in a car wreck a few years ago, and his father had kept the bike in the garage, didn't have the heart to sell it.  The father is a Harley owner, but has little mechanical skills.  The bike had set up for 2 years, so he tried to get the bike ready to sell, but really messed things up.  THe bike had an aftermarket tag holder, that he removed and replaced the original, but in the process shorted out the wiring to the rear lights.  He changed the oil, but overfilled it because he checked it sitting on the kick stand.  Afraid that the carbs may be gumbed up, he put 2 cans of carb cleaner and 2 gallons of fresh gas in the tank.  Needless to say, the poor Little Monster would hardly run.  The best it would do was 70 in 3rd, and couldn't even power a higher gear.  I told the seller that I was afraid of the bike, something was wrong with it.  He said he would negotiate, because he didn't want to keep showing the bike, and he had rathert me get it than possibly sell the bike to a youngster that might hurt themselves on it.  As we started talking, and he told me about the 2 cans of carb cleaner and replacing the tag holder, I realized where the problems were, so we hammered out a deal, and I took it home as my little project.  I drained the gas and replaced it with fresh gas, and the bike is running much better.  The wiring was fairly simple to repair, and I lowered the oil to it's proper level.  The bike appears to be stock, I don't think the carbs have been tampered with.

So here is the problem.  The bike has much better power, but is still lacks the power I think it should have.  I'm no sport bike rider, and I realize that sport bikes have taller gearing than cruisers and standards, so I'm confused about the power this bike should have.  I have a Goldwing, a Honda Magna 750 and a KLR 650.  The Goldwing and the Magna have considerable more power than the Monster, in fact, I think the KLR could take it in a 1/8 mile run.  I'm not a high speed rider, but I got it up to 100mph, and it seemed a little better at high speeds.  But in 1st & 2nd gear, doing low speed tight twisties, it seemed to be lame.  Is this a normal charecteristic for this bike?  I know the gear ratios can be changed, and I thought the owner may have put a higher gear on it, but I checked the gear and it is 15 teeth, which I believe is the oem gear. 
Can anyone inform me what could be possibly causing this.  If it is normal, then I want to go to the 14 tooth gear.  How much will this help?  100 is about as fast as I ever go, real power below 70 is what would really please me, I like to ride the tight twisties, which is what I thought this bike was bred for. 

Sorry to be so long winded, but I like the little bike, and I feel good about getting it back on the road again, I just hope there are no major problems with it.

[SCouch]

I also meant to ask what the specs are on the bike as far as 1/4 mile and top end, so I can determine if it is running as it should. 

Also forgot to mention, it is a 2000 Monster 750.

Thanks!!!!

[SCouch]

After watching some videos of Monsters on Youtube, I think this bike is only running on one cylinder.  I'm going after new plugs.     

[SCouch]

I should have known, the seller told me that the plugs had fire, he thought it was a fuel problem.  I checked it and the rear cylinder isn't getting fire.  I thought the bike sounded like a thumper, should have known something was wrong.   

Hello, is anybody home? I'm talking myself thru this one!   
Everybody must be out riding!  [moto]

[jdubbs32584]

I should have known, the seller told me that the plugs had fire, he thought it was a fuel problem.  I checked it and the rear cylinder isn't getting fire.  I thought the bike sounded like a thumper, should have known something was wrong.   

Hello, is anybody home? I'm talking myself thru this one!   
Everybody must be out riding!  [moto]

Sweetie. Its a Sunday. Give some people some time to get back onto the board. I'm sorry you're having all these problems. Someone with some technical expertise (I don't have much) will come along.

I know you're anxious to have the bike working properly, hang in there. 

[SCouch]

luckily the seller gave me a manual.  Whats causing my V-twin to be a thumper is a pick-up coil.  I wonder how much that will set me back? 

[Howie]

A new factory pick up coil (actually two since they come as a complete set) will set you back a
between $2-300.  Electrex in England   http://www.electrexworld.co.uk/#1259X0  sells aftermarket units for less, no FHE on that particular product.

[He Man]

you can just throw water on your header to see if its running on 1 cylinder. it would boil off in a second if it was firing.
Have you tried a new plug?

[hooligan machinist]

  While you're into it, i suggest giving it a complete servicing. Belts and valves included, you did say it had been sitting for a couple of years.

[SCouch]

  While you're into it, i suggest giving it a complete servicing. Belts and valves included, you did say it had been sitting for a couple of years.

It only has 3,600 miles, would that make any difference on the belts.  The seller said that he had cranked it once or twice a year.  I intend to check the valves.

[Bun-bun]

The belts need to be changed. Even tho the bike has only 3600 miles, the belts are most likely original from '00, and 8 years is too long. Especially since it has been sitting. The belts will take a set if they sit in the same position for too long, and, well, you need to change the belts.
Best would be to just send it in for the 6000 mile service. In your case, it's not the miles, but the years.

Don't get discouraged, these are marvelous machines when they're properly cared for, and the grins are worth the $$$.
Jeff

[VeryMetal]

What I would do: Change the belts, while they're off, do the valves. Change the plugs (make sure you gap them correctly), you might want to adjust the carbs, check and lube cables and pivots etc. A couple years sitting can sometimes be worse than actually riding it. None of this is going to be very expensive if you do it yourself. Make sure you use a book like the Haynes manual and don't rush it. Get a new air filter, change the oil (if you haven't already, just topping up or draining won't do after 2 years of sitting). The plugs will give you a pretty good idea of how the engine is running - there's a guide in the maintenance books on this.

+1 on 'The belts need to be changed'.

If you're only going to do one thing to the bike you need to change the belts, everything else can pretty much wait, you don't want a belt to snap. Belts need to be taken off when you adjust the valves too, that's the reason I say do them at the same time.

It might be a good idea to take it in to a dealer for an inspection so they can get an idea of what the condition of all the components is and let you know what they would recommend, then decide what you can do yourself and what you can't.

The bike should have plenty of get up and go, it's not a cbr rr but then that's the beauty of it, you don't have to take it to 14k revs to get into the power band. You're gonna have a lot of fun getting to know your beastie!

[SCouch]

I'll order the belts today!  I'm waiting on parts anyway.  Where is the best place to buy the belts?  Are there any on-line dealers that are easy to order from?

Thanks,

[Howie]

Dealers should have the belts in stock.  Ducati Seattle could mail them to you.  You might also contact Chris Kelley,  http://www.ca-cycleworks.com

[VeryMetal]

Dealers should have the belts in stock.  Ducati Seattle could mail them to you.  You might also contact Chris Kelley,  http://www.ca-cycleworks.com

+1 to this.

Ca Cycleworks is Chris's shop, it's just down the street from me and it's great. I actually picked some belts up last week and installed them over the weekend.