First Ducati experience going as badly as expected

[Oliver_FF]

A few weeks ago I brought a Ducati 749 from an official Honda dealer in Kent. Schwing! It's an '07 plate with 19k miles and a fully stamped service history at 600, 6k, 10k and 15k miles.

It hadn't been serviced in a while, and going by what I've heard of ducati's, I figured it was going to need a big service so I put aside £850 to get my local garage to go over it and check everything, possibly replace a few things. Anyway I took the bike straight over there and let them have it to do their stuff. Today I got a phone call today saying "can you come take a look and we'll show you what needs doing".

I got over there, they had the thing stripped down to show me something so I went out the back and took a look. Specifically, they wanted to show me the valve clearances. 0.5cm. Yes, half a centimetre. There was so much of a gap that the cams didn't even touch the lever things (sorry, I'm no mechanic). Add to that the belts were so loose that you could twist them at the top between your thumb and first finger... They reckon the worst case scenario to get it all fixed is ~£2k. Doesn't look like the valve clearances were ever checked/adjusted at any of its previous services. The guy literally said "mate, I'm surprised you made it over here!"...

The booklet is stamped by "Motorline Ducati" Dealer code: 382897, Tel: 01233 648686.

5h1t Day.
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Current bikes - 2001 CBR600F, 2007 CBR1000RR Fireblade
Previous bikes - '05 CG125, '97 CB500, '06 CBF600S, '04 ZX-6R, '07 Ducati 749

[Fisty]

Take it straight back to where you bought it and demand a refund.
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
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[pepperami]

What Mr Fisty said
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Tim..]

Sad to say its probably a fake service history, or there's something seriously wrong with it since its last service! Either way you want to be looking for a refund.
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[c_dug]

Obviously get a full write up from the mechanic first though so you have some proof of whats up
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[Ariel Badger]

[rac3r]

When was the stamp?

Read here: (bad rep)

https://www.ducatisti.co.uk/forum/dealers-workshops/4982-motorline-ducati-ashford.html

https://www.ducatisti.co.uk/forum/dealers-workshops/8100-your-thoughts-please-motorline-ducati.html

And more I'm afraid.

I highly recommend you take it to Ducati Proteam in Strood. Depending how far you are they do a free collection and delivery service and their prices are great.

Hope you get it sorted
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[neatbik]

Yep, i would want a refund too.
As said, get the mechanic to write a report, take photos, etc etc, that might grease the wheels a bit.

Also, tell the dealer you arent prepared to ride it back to them in case of severe engine failure and you want them to collect it.

[Oliver_FF]

[rac3r]

Once that is all done take it to a Ducati specialist! They have the proper knowledge and equipment to fix these bikes and indis usually end up being cheaper

For the 749 valves+belts+full service should be about £800. As said use Proteam if you are in London/Kent.
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[colin1]

can someone explain to me why correcting valve clearances could cost £2k ?
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[rac3r]

[iooi]

[calyx]

[Ariel Badger]

[Oliver_FF]

[Oliver_FF]

[Oliver_FF]

[woll]

hmmmm just a thought, have you used this garage before? Just wondering if while they we're stripping it they decided to alter a few things to make themselves some pocket money?
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Current Bike- Suzuki DRZ400 SM K6
Previous bikes - Derbi Senda Xtreme50r, Honda CBR 125, Kawasaki ZZR 250, Yamaha DT125R, Suzuki Bandit 600, Gas gas ec 250, Honda CBR600FW
Damaged spleen, damaged kindey, 2 popped lungs, 2 broken ribs, broken face, broken wrist and 5 back fractures... remember kids walls hurt

[Ariel Badger]

How well was it running? I imagine with what effectively was an atmospheric inlet valve it had about as much go as a 12HP Ped.
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[rac3r]

+1

How did it feel when you were riding it before the garage said 'OMG!!!' ?
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[swiftb]

Damn, another thing thats putting me off buying a 749. Me being a suspicious chap and all I would be worried incase the garage who stripped it have either a) fecked somthing up in the process, or b) are trying to make a quick buck.
How recent were the belts and valves changed/checked according to the service book? Maybe some comeback from the garage who did that. Good Luck!

[neatbik]

The thing that i find funny is that Ducatis arent hard to work on, yet people pay a fortune to have work done on them!
Belts and valve clearences are easy and not particularly time consuming, and the rest of the servicing work is routine stuff as on any other bike.

I reckon im going to specialise in them, that way i'll be able to afford that Aero 8...

[Kickstart]

Hi

A 5mm valve clearance is ludicrous. I would suspect that would only happen if one of the shims had been spat out. The valve gear should have an easy life as nothing is having to push against heavy valve springs.

All the best

Keith
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[Ariel Badger]

Keith....Two things
1. A 5mm shim seems rather thick even for a low precision Italian machine
2. Have you lost a blob?
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.