7,500 service Open wallet surgery - Page 2

03-04-2013, 09:33 AM

Ditto on the above advice, opener clearance is independent from the closer.

utopia · 03-04-2013, 02:42 PM

Yep, that seems to make sense.
I guess I was being overcautious and somewhat confused by the misleading comment in the Ducati manual......it wouldn't be the first time.
Sorry for the diversion and thanks for clearing the point up.

03-04-2013, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunlop0_1

Out of warranty and you have done servicing before. Definitely do it yourself. I bet at 7k the valves won't need adjusting, just check for piece of mind.

I have just done exactly that......my M1100s was 3yo beginning October 2012, and hence due the following, All fluids and filters, belt check, valve clearance check....so as its out of warranty I did it myself over the winter, its only done 10k miles and valve clearances were within limits, so it was quite easy really, it will be due belts end of sept this year and will do them myself....whilst the service book will show nowt, I have kept receipts for service consumables...

03-04-2013, 05:11 PM

The only man to service my bikes is Carl .
He's totally honest , good pricing and is a real star as far as I am concerned.

Well it's one of two ?
If the bikes not under warranty use an independent!
Often better service then dealers ..

Use Carl honestly ...
The girl with the gayest bike in the village said so

Well I know someone who just over a year ago paid £65 a hour plus VAT.
So my guess is its them

Along the lines of twinkle twinkle.

Some people sadly think il get a better job at a dealer even if I pay more.
I'm not dissing anyone as I can't ..
But it's a total myth ..
Carl's place is spotless and I have never heard one single bad word said against him.
Only praise.
As long as I am in a rideable distance not say the South of France he's the chap that looks after my old boys .
He's so knowledgable and has a real passion.

03-04-2013, 05:16 PM

I miss tinkering

But I have to have adult supervision now.

uksurfer · 03-04-2013, 05:57 PM

I think the Ducati service dealers are probably better than independent as they probably know a lot more about the bike, and have access to parts
(IMHO)
I would shop around and get a better price, even if it means travelling and ask if you can have a demo while your kicking around?

Grumpy · 03-04-2013, 06:57 PM

Being specific, Carl Harrison is a Ducati trained mechanic.
He worked for Chris Clarke, one of the biggest Ducati dealers in the 90's.
His knowledge and helpfulness is great.

On a general note, there are many independent servicing people out there with a first class reputation.

Rosso.
Luigis.
Gtec

to name a few, do your home work and the good guys are out there.

03-04-2013, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uksurfer

I think the Ducati service dealers are probably better than independent as they probably know a lot more about the bike, and have access to parts

I had my Monster worked on by a certain independent garage in Silverstone, and when they needed parts to identify a fault, they got them from Ducati UK next door on loan, and a good deal on buying the ones they needed.

03-04-2013, 10:03 PM

Yup Carl has a hell of a pedigree.
There's other out there as well who have had the training or worked for a dealer and have then set up them selves .

Seastars have always been polite to me.
I've only nipped in for daft stuff like tank pads .
But they have always been polite to me.

Unlike others .

I respected Carl because I turned up on a tatty 400 grey import and he came out and had a chat to me ... Someone with a much nicer bike pulled up and didn't look like a hooligan like me and he didn't walk off or blank me .
He gave me his time and did not talk to me like what on earth have we got here.

That was enough for me .. Plus he knew all about my obscure bike.

There are several independents who are Ducati trained.
Don't write them off Carl is incredibly knowledgable as are Rosso in London.
You don't hear bad about them .
If you do it's usually someone being a knob.

Every bike is treated well be it a tatty old dark like mine was or if a top of the range bike turned up.

I've seen that as well ... ( oh it's old and tatty doesn't matter)
Well that old tatty bike like an old guzzi is someone's work horse or pride and joy.

Do your homework , nip in if you can and get a feel for a place.
I've walked into places and walked out as bad vibes.

Also sometimes I think it's snobbery .. Mine goes to such and such dealer ..
Sorry to be blunt.

My bikes get serviced by someone who's passionate about bikes,
Doesn't talk to me like I'm some stupid woman ( had that )
Is honest .. No bull**** either.
He will tell you like it is .

Poor chaps got my old boys to do this year

A service for a friends R1 here was £600 .. And it was a very basic service.
That was in my town at a jap dealer .

If you know what your doing great !!
But il admit I'm pants .. I'd love to learn to do more on my own bikes but sadly being in a confined garage with me for a couple of hours would test a saint .

03-04-2013, 10:05 PM

Scuse my dreadful reply ...
Typing on a phone is pants and I can't see much at the mo

03-04-2013, 10:23 PM

My Monster is currently residing in Riders in Bristol for it's big service, they've said I'm looking at approx £450 for belt replacement and other service thingymbobs.
I asked an independent mechanic if he would do the 'big' servicing of my bike but as he wasn't a Ducati specialist he wasn't too keen to do the big stuff on my bike.
He'll get my bike back for small interim servicing, but I expect I'll take it to either a Ducati dealer or specialist if I can find one in/around Wiltshire for the next big service.

Jayos · 06-04-2013, 10:11 AM

Thanks for all the advice.

Bit the bullet and took to Parkys in Colchester this morning. Bloomin cold out there though Bbbrrr......
£350 quoted was better than the other quotes. Baffled as to why the others quoted so much more. But appreciate main dealers have the overheads and need to invest in their staff. If we all avoided main dealers how long would they last?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickj

Does that mega price include, as well as the service, free coffee and buns?

No such luck but did nip to McDonalds for a Sausage & Egg Muffin and a coffee to warm up.

Monster is going to need a big clean when it's ready to get all that salt off. Guess what I'll be doing on Sunday

Jayos · 06-04-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by He11cat

The only man to service my bikes is Carl .
He's totally honest , good pricing and is a real star as far as I am concerned.

Use Carl honestly ...
The girl with the gayest bike in the village said so

Will do next time, you can't beat someone who has a true passion!

03-04-2013, 05:57 PM	#21
uksurfer Its all grey now Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: southampton Bike: M1200s Posts: 2,940	I think the Ducati service dealers are probably better than independent as they probably know a lot more about the bike, and have access to parts (IMHO) I would shop around and get a better price, even if it means travelling and ask if you can have a demo while your kicking around? __________________ Evolution - M600 - S4 - M796 - M1100evo - M1200s

03-04-2013, 06:57 PM	#22
Grumpy record breaker!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Peterborough Bike: M1200R Posts: 2,154	Being specific, Carl Harrison is a Ducati trained mechanic. He worked for Chris Clarke, one of the biggest Ducati dealers in the 90's. His knowledge and helpfulness is great. On a general note, there are many independent servicing people out there with a first class reputation. Rosso. Luigis. Gtec to name a few, do your home work and the good guys are out there. __________________ It's not the destination, but the journey that matters Definition of a motorbike, a devise for overtaking cars!

03-04-2013, 09:33 AM	#16
Dookbob Guest Posts: n/a	Ditto on the above advice, opener clearance is independent from the closer.

03-04-2013, 02:42 PM	#17
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,545	Yep, that seems to make sense. I guess I was being overcautious and somewhat confused by the misleading comment in the Ducati manual......it wouldn't be the first time. Sorry for the diversion and thanks for clearing the point up.

03-04-2013, 05:11 PM	#19
He11cat Guest Posts: n/a	The only man to service my bikes is Carl . He's totally honest , good pricing and is a real star as far as I am concerned. Well it's one of two ? If the bikes not under warranty use an independent! Often better service then dealers .. Use Carl honestly ... The girl with the gayest bike in the village said so Well I know someone who just over a year ago paid £65 a hour plus VAT. So my guess is its them Along the lines of twinkle twinkle. Some people sadly think il get a better job at a dealer even if I pay more. I'm not dissing anyone as I can't .. But it's a total myth .. Carl's place is spotless and I have never heard one single bad word said against him. Only praise. As long as I am in a rideable distance not say the South of France he's the chap that looks after my old boys . He's so knowledgable and has a real passion.

03-04-2013, 05:16 PM	#20
He11cat Guest Posts: n/a	I miss tinkering But I have to have adult supervision now.

03-04-2013, 10:03 PM	#24
He11cat Guest Posts: n/a	Yup Carl has a hell of a pedigree. There's other out there as well who have had the training or worked for a dealer and have then set up them selves . Seastars have always been polite to me. I've only nipped in for daft stuff like tank pads . But they have always been polite to me. Unlike others . I respected Carl because I turned up on a tatty 400 grey import and he came out and had a chat to me ... Someone with a much nicer bike pulled up and didn't look like a hooligan like me and he didn't walk off or blank me . He gave me his time and did not talk to me like what on earth have we got here. That was enough for me .. Plus he knew all about my obscure bike. There are several independents who are Ducati trained. Don't write them off Carl is incredibly knowledgable as are Rosso in London. You don't hear bad about them . If you do it's usually someone being a knob. Every bike is treated well be it a tatty old dark like mine was or if a top of the range bike turned up. I've seen that as well ... ( oh it's old and tatty doesn't matter) Well that old tatty bike like an old guzzi is someone's work horse or pride and joy. Do your homework , nip in if you can and get a feel for a place. I've walked into places and walked out as bad vibes. Also sometimes I think it's snobbery .. Mine goes to such and such dealer .. Sorry to be blunt. My bikes get serviced by someone who's passionate about bikes, Doesn't talk to me like I'm some stupid woman ( had that ) Is honest .. No bull**** either. He will tell you like it is . Poor chaps got my old boys to do this year A service for a friends R1 here was £600 .. And it was a very basic service. That was in my town at a jap dealer . If you know what your doing great !! But il admit I'm pants .. I'd love to learn to do more on my own bikes but sadly being in a confined garage with me for a couple of hours would test a saint .

03-04-2013, 10:05 PM	#25
He11cat Guest Posts: n/a	Scuse my dreadful reply ... Typing on a phone is pants and I can't see much at the mo

03-04-2013, 10:23 PM	#26
Dinkybiker Guest Posts: n/a	My Monster is currently residing in Riders in Bristol for it's big service, they've said I'm looking at approx £450 for belt replacement and other service thingymbobs. I asked an independent mechanic if he would do the 'big' servicing of my bike but as he wasn't a Ducati specialist he wasn't too keen to do the big stuff on my bike. He'll get my bike back for small interim servicing, but I expect I'll take it to either a Ducati dealer or specialist if I can find one in/around Wiltshire for the next big service.