that sick feeling, a tale of open belt covers... FIXED!

[teddy037.2]

glad to hear the motor's ok... 

riding season? what's that? 

[Jobu]

glad to hear the motor's ok... 

riding season? what's that? 

It lasts from January 1st to December 31st.  for you pineapple eating assholes anyway   

[teddy037.2]

for you pineapple eating assholes anyway   

bahahahahahahahaaaaaa...

no tracks, though. so that's pretty lame.

[Magnus]

The bike is back in my garage.  Steve at European Cycle Services did a fantastic job, sticking to both the estimate and the delivery date.  In addition to the valve/belt fix, ECS did a full service, valve adjustment, plugs, fluids, etc.  Also, the fast idle linkage was missing, so Steve suggested going with a Superbike throttle which has the integrated fast idle button.  Works like a charm! 

I've had problems with the clutch from the get go, which is probably due to the parts selection that I made.  Replaced it all with a Ducati basket and aluminum clutch pack, works alot better.  Throttle bodies were adjusted which is really noticeable, much smoother now.  I swapped out the injectors last year on my own, so it was due.

Steve went over the whole bike and found a few issues, including loose steering head bearings, loose/strip bolts, and the clip ons were aligned incorrectly.  I try to do things myself, but I guess I'm a little sloppy...

Finally, when I picked it up today, Steve tuned the suspension for me.  The drive home, in the rain, was awesome...  much improved suspension feel and it runs like a charm.

I would highly recommend this shop, very skilled, professional, and friendly!  FYI: When I first called him, he offered to pick the bike up, and since he was already dropping off another one in the area, he didn't charge me for the service.  Middletown, NY is about an hour and 15 mins from me. 

http://www.europeancycleservices.com/

[Howie]

Great to hear you are back on the road again and happy with ECS. 

 

[Bill in OKC]

I'm glad you got it fixed up with only 2 bent valves and nothing else major.  I have belts about 2 years old and about 5K miles so I guess it is time to take the covers off and inspect/replace belts.  I have a question, from the close-ups it looks like your overflow/recovery tank is black.  How did you color/dye/paint it?   thanks, Bill

[MotoCreations]

overflow/recovery tank is black.  How did you color/dye/paint it?

The fill line area is still "exposed" to check coolant level. (taped off)  Rest was primed and painted.  A white tank would have been ugly on this bike.  More details abound -- you are the first to mention seeing this one!

[DucatiBastard]

Magnus, congrats on getting the bike back! also, you mention a Superbike throttle w/ integrated fast idle, any more details on that? is it electronic? what year/model Superbike? does it require electrical splicing?  Again, Congrats!

[Magnus]

Magnus, congrats on getting the bike back! also, you mention a Superbike throttle w/ integrated fast idle, any more details on that? is it electronic? what year/model Superbike? does it require electrical splicing?  Again, Congrats!

Thanks!

It's not electronic, just a spring loaded toggle from what I can see...  you press a small button on the underside of the throttle housing that just holds the throttle open a bit.  Twisting the throttle will release the toggle.  Here's the part no.:

DUCA65420021A   THROTTLE CONTROL   113.95

[DucatiBastard]

Thanks!

[Rameses]

That's great news!

I'm glad your experience with the shop was a good one.   

[DuciD03]

Glad to hear there was less damage than expected!

Re Belt covers; I've replaced the stock ones with carbon; (or does your bike come stock with carbon?) I did consider some with slats cut in the side giving a louvered look and that exposed look, you may be able to do this easily with the stock covers.   I decided its better to keep the dust and pebbles away form the critical components ... cheers D

[DesmoDiva]

Glad to hear that you got your problems sorted out. 

I have heard nothing but great things about ECS. 

Now you can get some  [moto] before winter. 

[Magnus]

Thanks, definately good to get some seat time before the weather turns on us!

I was going to slot or window the belt covers on my own, but instead Mark Savory has them now and is doing something unique, which is what he does best... 

[ducpainter]

Thanks, definately good to get some seat time before the weather turns on us!

I was going to slot or window the belt covers on my own, but instead Mark Savory has them now and is doing something unique, which is what he does best... 

I woulda painted 'em....