How much over 6000 miles for service is okay

[marginwalker]

I am over 6000 miles for my 6000 mile service. I have a 2003 Monster Dark i.e. I am actually at 6800 miles. I have just changed the oil and oil filter. Do I need to get in asap for the valve adjustment and belt change or can I hold off a bit longer. Money's tight. But I'd rather not ride than screw anything up.

thanks.

[streetfighter2]

I'm no expert...but, I think it's all depend on how hard you ride the bike, how does it run now, compare to when it was newly tuned. If you don't see any different in the way the bike run, and the gas mileage did not go down, then I'd say it's OK for a while...

Cheers,

[marginwalker]

Well, I bought it from Motoprimo, Mpls when I worked there last summer. Some guy had traded it in with on 1300 miles on it. Since I bought it I have ridden it pretty conservatively, mostly commuting around town, and some highway riding--a few day trips. I haven't gotten crazy on the thing--haven't revved it over 6000rpms. Kinda boring I know, but I haven't had a sport bike in a while and don't want to kill myself. Oh, and regular oil changes. It rides as well as it did when I bought it. Haven't noticed any changes.

Do I need to worry about belts, especially cam belts? Ducati maintenance is new to me.

thanks, Julie

[streetfighter2]

We are riding about the same style...and nothing wrong with that. Your bike will remain in good shape for a long, long time.

You're lucky to have gotten such a great shape bike. All you need for now is to get a 6000 miles service at your next convenience, and change your
oil every 3000 miles. You won't need a timing bell replacing until after 12K.

If you live in the bay area, go to Nichol, they'll take very good care of your bike...

Thanks,

[swinger822000]

I have 14500 miles on my bike with origional belts on it and they still look new. i do all the services my self but if your not to inclined i would open the covers up and inspect them myself. its a pretty simple thing to do a few bolts and see if the belts are frayed or slacking. i would check the plugs and check fluids. and thats all the 6000 mile service is.

[marginwalker]

These are the 6mm hex bolts for belt tensioning and I cannot get them loose with a hex wrench. I'm worried I may have slightly stripped one and I cannot get any of them loose with a t-wrench. Help?

[streetfighter2]

Originally Posted by swinger822000

I have 14500 miles on my bike with origional belts on it and they still look new. i do all the services my self but if your not to inclined i would open the covers up and inspect them myself. its a pretty simple thing to do a few bolts and see if the belts are frayed or slacking. i would check the plugs and check fluids. and thats all the 6000 mile service is.

Have you made the valves adjustment yourself? From what i was told the valves adjustment is almost needed every 6000 miles, and it's not easy to perform?

[marginwalker]

I can't afford to do the valve adjustment just yet, but I got so freaked out by people telling me what could happen with five-year-old belts that I thought spending a hundred bucks on that for now and doing it myself would be some good insurance for the time being. By the way, the belts looked kinda worn on some edges. Better safe than sorry.

I've also been told that because of the kind of riding I do and the mileage that there's a really good chance the valves are still within spec. I dunno. I'm still learning.

[swinger822000]

streetfighter2: i have done them myself to check them but so far they havent changed at all from stock, but i changed them just to do it for safety sake. but it was a pain in the @$$. definately need a magnet rod and a few special tools that get kinda expensive but alot less than having someone else do it.

Marginwalker: What could happen and what has happened are 2 different things. i've only heard of one time that someone blew belts and that bike was 9 years old and never changed the belts. But i would change them every season thats me!

[streetfighter2]

Originally Posted by swinger822000

streetfighter2: i have done them myself to check them but so far they havent changed at all from stock, but i changed them just to do it for safety sake. but it was a pain in the @$$. definately need a magnet rod and a few special tools that get kinda expensive but alot less than having someone else do it.

Marginwalker: What could happen and what has happened are 2 different things. i've only heard of one time that someone blew belts and that bike was 9 years old and never changed the belts. But i would change them every season thats me!

Thanks Swinger822000,

Where can I find the tools and the instructions? I would love to, at least learning how to check the valves...and other maintenances...

Thanks again,