959 Desmo Service

At 15000 miles it will be due. The spark plugs also get changed at 15000 miles

 

Desmo refers to desmodromic valves. It's one of the main differences between Ducatis and lesser motorcycles ;-)

The idea most manufacturers still have for closing inlet and exhaust valves is to use a valve spring... the camshaft(s) open the inlet and exhaust valves and the valve spring returns them to closed. Ducati use a mechanical opening and closing system rather than relying upon the speed / strength of a spring to return the valve to closed. The name comes from the latin "desmos", meaning to "bond" (also helped to know that when convincing SWMBO that we should call the dog Desmo).

At certain mileage intervals the valve clearances need to be checked to ensure that through wear the inlet and exhaust valves are still at the correct tolerance. If they're not (through valve stretching, valve seat wear, shim wear, cam wear) then this needs correcting with shims until they're back within tolerance. It's a valve clearance check basically with corrective adjustment. It's quite a big job, quite an important job and not to be skipped. You need knowhow, right tools and the shims if required. Many people let a dealer or specialist do this if they're not so equipped.

Motorcycle valve clearances are sometimes "said" to have been done, but not... so for this reason I would not encourage trusting a non-Ducati dealer, specialist or talented enthusiast with this job.

 

is a desmo service for the panigale 15000 miles or 5 years as I have had two dealers saying this but cannot see on the service plan this is the case

 

It’s every 15,000 miles according to the manual, so this will include the oil service which is every 7,500 miles and the Desmo service. Brake fluid and coolant every 22,500 miles.

 

15000 miles or 5 years, whichever happens first.

 

Desmo is mileage related only (15000 miles on Pani'). The schedules are split nowadays between time and mileage operations. Different times/mileages trigger relevant ops.

 

I didn’t think it was 5 years, just 15,000 miles?

 

I wouldn't put all your faith in main dealers. The service mechanics can just be disiliusioned wage slaves, where what the say has been done hasn't.

A good Indy/one man band has their reputation on their last job.

Cornerspeed @nelly started as an Indy before going full factory...

A a main dealer has been shown on here for charging for work not carried out.

 

My 899 will need the demo service next year. I recently enquired what the price would be.....£1094

 

Check the pricing from Ducati John. Excellent reputation and a great benchmark for indie pricing. If all else fails, a valve servicing holiday might prove an efficiency.

 

Just had my 899 desmo service done by Paul @ PGPerformance for half that quote

 

Yes, not too keen on the £1094. That's the problem living in Cornwall, limited options. It may be time for a change anyway so the 899 may be up for sale soon.

 

Ouchshop around is the advice

 

Do some research and find a reliable indie. It’ll be half the quoted dealer prices. Many of the dealers have got real work to do to improve their tarnished image. The price is not justified in the quality of work from my experience. I use Russ at Bolton Motorcycle workshop and he’s class.

 

Yes - just because its a main dealer - does not mean its a good job - had my first multi serviced - got home to find the oil level way up... had to drain 350ml out to get to top level mark..

When i mentioned this - no its not possible was serviced my our Main Guy ... he always treble checks his work..

Since then never any problems... but using Main Dealer in no guarantee of Quality of workmanship... but it does uphold the Ducati Warrantee in even of issues..

Ducati John, Nelly and CJS in Bristol all have good reputations and probably cheaper than Main Dealer who charge £100 an hour rates..

 

£100 a hour really, my dealer charges way less than that, main dealer hourly rates are all different so saying they all charge £100 a hour is a bit unfair.

 

Ok maybe I exaggerate it was £98 an hour ( not in London)

 

I just last week paid £65 per hour for a belt service on my multi, main dealer price so at £98 per hour I would shop around.