First Ducati monster

[M600buio]

Hi I have bought a 600 dark carb model, it's my first Ducati and it needs mot and service I've previously owned japanese bikes so I am pretty clueless about a suitable place to take it. Can anyone recommend somewhere to take it in the Swindon/Wiltshire area? Thanks in advance.

[Luddite]

Congratulations on joining the family!

From personal experience, you can't get much better than Moto Rapido http://www.motorapido.co.uk/ in Winchester. It's about 50 miles from you and worth the trip.

Give Stuart in the workshop a ring on 01962 873984.

Meanwhile, enjoy your Monster!

[MrsC_772]

Hi and welcome,

A lot of folks in your neck of the woods use Louigi Moto in Bristol (http://louigimoto.com/) Not an official franchised Ducati dealer, but a Ducati specialist. (I haven't used them myself but plenty on here have).

Heading in the opposite direction, Moto Rapido (http://www.motorapido.co.uk/) are the official Ducati dealer in Winchester, and have a good reputation. They've got me out of a couple of holes at the last minute, when I needed work doing and my usual dealer couldn't fit me in. They're also a popular source of Ducati parts for the DIY servicing crowd.

Not sure about MOT places in your area.

[Liz]

Hi and welcome to the UKMOC.

Stafford and I live in Calne and have multiple Ducatis! Did you visit Calne Bike Meet back in July as we had a stand there?

I would also recommend Moto Rapido in Winchester, they are very good. You also get 10% discount off any parts you order for being a member of UKMOC.

Keep a look out on the Wiltshire and Hampshire area region announcements as we tend to double up for brekkies and rideouts.

Any info needed whether big or small, please always ask. Someone on here will know the answers!

[Dave G]

And before you go any further with dealer servicing, would you consider doing it yourself?
Changing belts is an easy DIY job and rest of it is standard fluids, filter and plug changes.
Easier to do than on many other bikes and way cheaper than getting a dealer to do it for you, especially on an older bike.:)

[utopia]

Seconded ^^^^

When I first got my 750 I was daunted by the prospect of it being a fickle Italian needing specialist servicing.
But in fact, the early 2-valve Ducatis are delightfully easy to work on.
It only starts to get tricky when you get into re-shimming the valve clearances.

Ten years down the road, my 750 has still never seen the inside of a dealer's workshop.

[Darren69]

Haynes do a 2V book which is a good start. Checking the clearances is straightforward enough but as Utopia says it gets tricky if they need adjustment and shims are required, then its probably better off at a dealers or a local Ducati mechanic who will have shim kits of various sizes.

[M600buio]

Hi thanks for all the reply's and recommendations, I think I will start with getting an M.O.T. locally and take it from there. Hopefully try and make it to a meet up after it passes (fingers crossed) M.O.T. :) :)

[Maggsy]

Hi there fellow Moonraker! Had my 696 for one whole week now! Definitely keep an eye on the Wiltshire notice board. Everyone seems very sociable.

[Zimbo]

The other ducati independent specialist localy is Tim at MotoVation in Cheltenham, he's Ducati trained and knows them well, lots of local Ducati owners use him, including me. He is quite busy but prices are quite good and he does a thorough job.