New S2R Owner - Your tech advice appreciated.

[Glawster]

Hi Guys. First post here – I’m Derek from Cheltenham.
I’ve had a few Ducatis in the past, but not a Monster. In order of ownership my previous Dukes have been…
1958 200 Elite
1978 860 GTS
1993 750SS
2008 GT1000
1971 250MK3
1979 900GTS
1999 996 BP
In recent times I’ve switched more to old Guzzis and I find them a lot easier to live with and more suited to my level of mechanical competence! Anyway, a few weeks ago my son passed his bike test and was keen to own a Monster or Speed Triple. I’m a big fan of Hinckley triples, but we thought a 2 valve Monster would be more suitable, being light weight and more modest power.
This week we bought a 2006 S2R800. It’s a kind of half share arrangement where I buy, maintain and clean it. Tom’s input will be riding. The bike has done 25k miles and has plenty of service history – most recently by Mike Dawson Racing in Walton on Thames. It looked relatively unmolested (I don’t like aftermarket bling) in the pouring rain on Tuesday, but it’s only when you take a closer look that the bodges become apparent!
So far I’ve been mainly cleaning the years of grime from it. Some observations:
- The tank release clip is difficult to release. I’m guessing that the plastic tank has swelled with ethanol and the tank is now longer than it should be?
- The engine has been part painted – it would appear with silver Artex applied with a yard brush. Bit of a mess, but I don’t want to strip the engine unless it’s got a fault.
- Ordered 41mm and 46mm sockets for the rear wheel. There’s no tool kit so I guess I’ll also need the C spanner for adjusting the chain?
- Ordered new Michelin Pilot Power tyres. I had these on the GT1000 so I’m hoping they will be suitable. I just rode it round the block and it really felt vague at the front end. I’m hoping this is due to the worn front tyre. The headraces have been replaced so I hope they are correctly fitted.
- A full service including valve check and belts was done by MD Racing in Oct 18. Only 900 miles covered since then. I’ve replaced the oil and filter. The belts (branded Ducati) look brand new. I guess you’re going to tell me to change them though?
- I thought I’d take off the exhaust system and polish it up. Hmmm – this is going to be a problem. Of the 4 head studs it looks like only one of them has an undamaged nut fitted. A second has a rounded off nut and the other 2 have nothing at all, but could have been tack welded in place. For the moment I’ll leave them alone, but my questions are…
- The studs look like M8 x 1.25 thread?
- How hard are they to remove?
- Will they come out with the engine in the frame? The inside one on the back cylinder looks quite challenging.
- The number plate carrier and reflector bracket are very corroded and I don’t think they will survive blasting prior to powder coating. If anyone has removed these items and doesn’t need them I’d be happy to take them off your hands!
More questions to follow no doubt, but I’m very happy to take your advice on these points.
Cheers, Derek



IMG_0910 by Derek Wardell, on Flickr

IMG_0905 by Derek Wardell, on Flickr

DSC_2129 by Derek Wardell, on Flickr