620 Monster Maintenance: help and friends needed please!

[Dru]

Hi Folks,

well, got 6 weeks of the best fun i have ever had under my belt, and the 620 is still running smoothly. i have a few questions and would really value some direction!

1) Is it supposed to make a clanking noise in neutral? this turned up after a couple of weeks.

2) In my brake fluid reservoirs on the handlebars there is a minimum level line, but I cant see any fluid in the little window at all, never mind coming to the minimum lines. Should I take it straight into the shop, or is it the sort of thing I can do myself. if so, can anyone let me know how?

3) How often do I oil / grease the chain?

4) How the hell do I get the thing clean, hi power hose? Fairy liquid and a cloth? There is mud in places I can barely reach!

5) Does anyone know of a good book that covers basic maintenance that i can apply to a Duke Monster 620?

coming into winter probably wasnt the best time of the year to get on my first big bike, but i love it, love it, love it. ant dukes in London that are out and about i'd love to meet one weekend, or does anyone go down to battersea bridge on a thursday or box hill on a sunday?


many thanks one and all,

x a very happy dru

PS all i need now is a chiquita on a monster, maybe you should start a personals section!

[jyncks]

Hey Dru

Welcome to the site, any member with 620 is a friend of mine :wink: I passed my test two weeks ago and have an 04 620ie.

Now I got to admit I am probably in about the same zone as you regarding looking after the dam thing, but there are a few things I can help you with.

1.The clanking noise?......do I take it that it is not the normal clanking of a Ducati?, mine makes the usual rattle, a loud rattle admittedly, but it is normal for the duke, have you had a ducati before?

2.The fluid reservoirs are quite difficult to see into, i thought mine were non existant till someone else had a loo0k and showed me where the level was.......which was at the top, try with a torch, make sure the bike is upright.

3. no idea, when it gets a bit on the dry side I guess

4. Absolutely not, Dukes dissolve when wet..........have to use good old elbow grease and a bit of ingenieality (wow....big word.mis-spelt of course )

5. No but if you marry a race mechanic, that sometimes helps :wink:

The guys meet up at the Ace Cafe on a Sunday, there shud be quite a few tomorrow, so go and introduce yourself, I am pretty sure they are following on to box hill.

Someone else will pick up this thread and be far more helpful to you.........jools is good but dont tell him that I said that, he is having difficulty getting a crash lid to fit already.


J x

[jools]

Dude.............

I'm in an XL Arai already, can't get eny bigger!!!

[jyncks]

ut ohhh

I ent no dude 8)

Seriously tho Jools, you can prolly help this guy out, whereas me.........well i know naaathin :wink:

J x

[jools]

Soz, in answer to you're questions, Jynks is almost there,

1. - Normal, unless it's a pronunced knocking sound. All dukes like a bit of shake, rattle and roll.

2. - Yes, they're poxy, pop the lids off.

3. - They say once a week is good practice, depends on usage/milage. I only do mine every 2-3 weeks, using a degreaser first, then a spray wax. (Yoshimoto or something like, pretty gold coloured wax to match the chain!)

4. - Use Muk-Off or similar, and a toothbrush!!!!

5. - Haynes manual from Halfords arn't too bad, there's a link in Gen Tech forum to a site with manuals on, Parts catalogues can be found on www.ducati.com and I can eMail you the Ducati workshop manual in a Pdf, if you want?

An Italian man once told me this of an Alfa Romeo I once owned, "Treat her as a girlfriend, spend a little money and time regulaly tending to her needs, becaure if you neglect her, she'll be off!!!!!"
I'm sure this applies to anything Italian

We're meeting at the Ace tomorrow morning at 10.30 if you fancy it?????

[jyncks]

my hero

You font of all knowledge you

J x

[Dru]

Morning Jynks and Jools,

really appreciate your feedback folks, going to have a go this evening. one last question (for now ) the oil window, should i check the oil levels when its cold or warm? when its cold it looks empty, when its running it looks full! i guess i warm it up, then turn it off, let it settle and check from there.

i am writing this from my office at 10 on sunday morning, so i wont make it to the Ace, but thanks for the heads up, i'll be there the next free sunday i have.

anyone know of a good service garage / person in London, i'd prefer to meet someone who will become a trusted friend rather than take it to a faceless multigarage.

nice one, respect

x dru

[Brian]

Hello Dru

Check the oil when cold but check this with the bike upright :wink:

How far away from Daytona in Ruislip there good chaps and sort of in London And is this a minor or major service ie the one with belts

[Tony]

I would always recomend 'WURTH' for the chain, been using it a couple of years and its great stuff, dries clear and doesnt spray off everywhere, leaving masty black globs allover the underside of the bike.

again use it every week or so and make sure you apply it when the chain is warm go for a little ride first(always a hardship).

the usual source of the clanking Duke is the dry clutch, which will make more noise than one dipped in oil.

[Dan]

Thanks Tony, for the chain care advise, I was gonna ask about that! WURTH it is then.

[Dru]

thanks folks,

i'm gonna get my hands dirty this evening, have a try at those bits and bobs,

really appreciate the advice

x dru