2002 Ducati Monster S4 in Red, reg EF02 ZKJ - Page 2

jerry · 23-09-2019, 08:43 PM

I have a lot of S4 experience , servicing , mods etc ,, find out what the service history is and any improvements ,, check when valves were last done and if rockers are in good nick,, ask me if you need advice

Grumpy · 23-09-2019, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTRdemon

Hi all,

Another update... the current owner has contacted me asking if I am still interested in purchasing the bike! I am beyond excited, however I want to check the condition it is in etc to get a good idea of the current price.

Are there any key things to look out for on a 2002 Ducati Monster S4?

Thanks again for any help, almost there.

If the bike has been fully maintained, there should be few issues.
The key item to look for is a known Ducati specialist service history.
If the service history is sketchy, then any issues become varied, depending how often and hard the bike has been ridden.
The main part of any service history, apart from oils and filters, would be changing the belts. From there any possible issues become varied!

Flip · 26-09-2019, 07:44 PM

Okay, so according to the DVLA the bike is currently SORN and the MoT ran out on the 17th May this year.

At it's last MoT 18/05/18 it had covered 22,122 miles so not a massive amount since new assuming it is genuine.

Going over the mileage history from MoT records on file it covered just a few hundred a year back to 2014 and from then back to 2006 anywhere between 1000 to a tad over 3000 per year so I would say about average for a UK bike used on sunny weekends only.

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

If that was indeed the case then you would think the general condition should be good but it depends on the more recent years whether neglect and lack of use has taken it's toll.

Generally speaking, Ducati's don't like being sat around unused so evidence of services would be a nice reassurance of it being cared for. Especially this last year where it hasn't been used at all- if it was just parked up and left that would be the worry. Ethanol in fuel can wreck havoc allowing water to sit in the bottom of the fuel tank slowly rotting it, not to mention the gummed up injectors and most likely sticky brake caliper pistons from moisture in the air.

However, if it was drained of fuel, the tank lightly oiled inside and the battery removed before being cleaned, wrapped up and stored in a nice dry garage it may well be not too bad.

That being said, almost anything can be fixed (even Triggers' broom

) or restored (just look at Albie's '93 900) and if this one has the sentimental reasons for you wanting it then it is probably worth it to you for that alone assuming a price can be agreed.

Personally, I'd say don't worry about if the belts were changed in line with service intervals- a years lay up is enough to factor in a pair as part of a full service with a valve check to give you a starting point for future maintenance records.

Because I'm a bit of a anorak over such things it would be nice if it had the original Owners and Service books but again these can be picked up via eBay etc. but one thing I would be wanting is the all important 'Red key' which I believe it should have (I'm sure an S4 owner will correct me if this is wrong?) to over-ride the factory immobiliser etc. should you encounter any electrical problems.

Other than that- get it and work through any issues you encounter as and when. Plus it will make a great thread here for us all to read about your progress

Darren69 · 27-09-2019, 04:35 AM

Yea should have red key and 2 black ones.

08-04-2020, 11:11 AM

jerry, Grumpy, Flip, Darren69

Thank you all for your help and advice. I am still in contact with the owner but I think it might be a while until I am reunited, especially because of the current times we are in.

I will keep you all updated on any developments!

Blah blah · 08-04-2020, 03:55 PM

When this all calms down a bit (end of the month?) and if it is in Cornwall, I could probably pop across and have a look / take some photos if you want

23-09-2019, 08:43 PM	#16
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,803	I have a lot of S4 experience , servicing , mods etc ,, find out what the service history is and any improvements ,, check when valves were last done and if rockers are in good nick,, ask me if you need advice __________________ MONSTERMAN

26-09-2019, 07:44 PM	#18
Flip Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Beachtown Bike: M900 Posts: 2,188	Okay, so according to the DVLA the bike is currently SORN and the MoT ran out on the 17th May this year. At it's last MoT 18/05/18 it had covered 22,122 miles so not a massive amount since new assuming it is genuine. Going over the mileage history from MoT records on file it covered just a few hundred a year back to 2014 and from then back to 2006 anywhere between 1000 to a tad over 3000 per year so I would say about average for a UK bike used on sunny weekends only. https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/ If that was indeed the case then you would think the general condition should be good but it depends on the more recent years whether neglect and lack of use has taken it's toll. Generally speaking, Ducati's don't like being sat around unused so evidence of services would be a nice reassurance of it being cared for. Especially this last year where it hasn't been used at all- if it was just parked up and left that would be the worry. Ethanol in fuel can wreck havoc allowing water to sit in the bottom of the fuel tank slowly rotting it, not to mention the gummed up injectors and most likely sticky brake caliper pistons from moisture in the air. However, if it was drained of fuel, the tank lightly oiled inside and the battery removed before being cleaned, wrapped up and stored in a nice dry garage it may well be not too bad. That being said, almost anything can be fixed (even Triggers' broom ) or restored (just look at Albie's '93 900) and if this one has the sentimental reasons for you wanting it then it is probably worth it to you for that alone assuming a price can be agreed. Personally, I'd say don't worry about if the belts were changed in line with service intervals- a years lay up is enough to factor in a pair as part of a full service with a valve check to give you a starting point for future maintenance records. Because I'm a bit of a anorak over such things it would be nice if it had the original Owners and Service books but again these can be picked up via eBay etc. but one thing I would be wanting is the all important 'Red key' which I believe it should have (I'm sure an S4 owner will correct me if this is wrong?) to over-ride the factory immobiliser etc. should you encounter any electrical problems. Other than that- get it and work through any issues you encounter as and when. Plus it will make a great thread here for us all to read about your progress __________________ You're perfect, yes, it's true- But without me you're only you!

27-09-2019, 04:35 AM	#19
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	Yea should have red key and 2 black ones. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

08-04-2020, 11:11 AM	#20
CTRdemon Guest Posts: n/a	Thank you jerry, Grumpy, Flip, Darren69 Thank you all for your help and advice. I am still in contact with the owner but I think it might be a while until I am reunited, especially because of the current times we are in. I will keep you all updated on any developments!

08-04-2020, 03:55 PM	#21
Blah blah Upsetting normal people.. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Portreath Bike: S2r Posts: 833	When this all calms down a bit (end of the month?) and if it is in Cornwall, I could probably pop across and have a look / take some photos if you want __________________ Power is nothing without control... I have neither !