Self Service - Tools and Storys

[Plum]

Well i have taken it upon myself to service the H***** D*******, and have though 'why dont i just service the monnie myself?' One of my best mates is a bike mechanic (does HD's now but aint nothing he aint touched) but i feel its a bit of a p1ss take asking him to do it for me (and i would still pay him). Now i know you need some 'specialist' tools, but anyone got anything they have bodged together to help them. Am i correct that you need a special tool to remove the oil filter?

So come on then you self service gurus. Any hints,tips or storys? I am sure we would all benefit

Stay Groovy

[gary tompkins]

Plum,

You can get a large hex socket adapter for the filter, but I use a cheap strap wrench (webbing type) from Halfords that works fine. You need a hex adapter (think it's 10mm?) to undo the sump plug, and torque it back up afterwards. May need a plug spanner as the one supplied in tool kit is usually the wrong size depending which plugs you buy.

You can knock up a clutch holding tool (from old plates) for stripping & overhauling 900 dry clutches, but as you have a 600 this will not apply.

No special tools needed to swap belts, although I did buy a 30lb spring balance from a fishing shop to set the belt tension - 10lb I think? Never attempted Desmo shims etc.. yet, preferring to leave it to shop but you do need special tools to get this right.

A set of balance gauges will be handy for setting up carbs, and a decent paddock stand will also be a must for cleaning/adjusting chain. I use an old plastic washing up bowl to drain the engine oil into.

Other than that - just good quality spanners & socket set, some screwdrivers, allen keys and a plastic funnel would be a good buy if you haven't already done so.

[Mrs Soup]

Plum

You will need a padock stand to remove the left hand side footpeg hanger. I think there's a thread somewhere which explains why.

[Plum]

No worries there. I have a paddock stand as it was one of the first things i bought. I must have had a foresight into what would be coming with Ducati ownership! I have pretty much serviced everything i have owned, but the Duc has been the only thing i have had done.

Dont know about the rest of you, but i am not happy with doing brakes and its about the only thing i wont do.

[steviej]

Get a Torque Wrench....................
............................invaluable!!!! :p

[Plum]

Serviced the 'other' bike today. What a ba$tard of a time. I had to go to the tyre place to have the tyres taken off the mags and put on the spokes, then me mate call and says 'that useless twat has given you the wrong air filter (the so called 'twat' is my mates colleague). So i drop off the wheels to my waiting mate (who in the meantime has been servicing the thing) and go off to the stealership to change the filter. Get back, my mates finished the service, drinking posh coffee he made his missus get from town, waiting for me to get back. So, wheels off and swapped, service with brakes done, and he was good enough to do a couple of other things. It took him 2 1/2 hours and i am gonna slip him some notes (and he has just left after drinking my beers), he even buffed the parts he touched as if he were infected. Its very clean, i'm very happy, and it runs like a dream. I am so lucky to have a good mate that i trust, and know the bike would be done the way HE expects it to be done!

So i just laid it on him that as the Duc needs a service and the brakes need doing, i could really do with the clutch changing. He has questioned why i need a new clutch at 5500 miles. Cant think why :rolleyes: