Hello to all from a very excited first time Ducati owner!!! I've just acquired a rather lovely yellow ST4s with 32k on the clock in excellent condition. Really looking forward to enjoying the v-twin grunt after too many years on IL4's. Would also appreciate opinions on the following- the cambelts were last changed exactly two years and 3k ago (the bike has been used in summer only so probably stood idle on its optimate during the winter). From what I've read it seems that the general consensus is the belts should now be changed but would you do it before using the bike or ride it for 2/3 weeks before the change? Also if anyone would be kind enough to recommend a good spanner man in the north london/herts area that would be much appreciated. Many thanks.
Personally I get 3 seasons from a set of belts as do many on here. Maybe take the belt covers off and inspect them and check tension. Learn your way around the bike, the fairing is a bit of a pain to take on/off on the ST range. Theres probably a youtube on it, or ask here.
First thing is change the belts, second is change the oil and filter, third is change the fuel filter, ST4 prone to fuel leaks in the crotch area due to rusting inside tank, have a good look. See if the ride height needs changing and get the suspension set up. Sounds A lot, but get these right and its a cracking bike. A great bike, they don't make them like that anymore, for me it was totally reliable for many years and 1000s miles.
St Neots Motorcycles. Years of Ducati experience. Check with Michel above, he knows them. Buy your new belts off Exige on this forum. Good belts. Do as Michel says, belts, oil, filters maybe brake fluids as well. My ST4 has done 50k. Great bikes.
Agree, they are very underrated bikes, especially when you get the ride height jacked up from standard. If you get a good one without the rocker chrome flaking (really is pot luck) and can put up with a bike that need the mirrors to be removed to do an oil change (!), then you've got a near perfect bike in my opinion. Seiously though, do pull the cams out and carefully check the rocker arms, you can't see any potential wear properly otherwise. If you don't you risk damage to the cams! Some bikes wear the rockers a bit, some a lot and a few not at all. Common on all Desmoquattros before the Testrastretta came along.
You can just about change the oil if you just take off the bottom fairing and use a flexible funnel. You won't spill much oil. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ffs you guys have got the guy pulling the motor down now. Change the oil and filter, check the mesh screen for shrapnel if its not been done this year and ride it.
St Neotts a good team, tel 01480 212024 also great is Proteam, tel 01634 7115556 based in Kent BUT they collect your bike and bring it back, lets not forget Baines at Silverstone 01327 858510. And defo change the belts, if they let go its a very expensive false economy.
Cheers guys for all the replies much appreciated! Had a good chat to about half a dozen independents and all in all a good experience but London servicing prices are scary!!! Decided to take the bike to Glen at Moto V in Colchester, bit of a wait before I can book in but in the meantime more time to ride. First proper ride today and still smiling
Good call to use a specialist independent. They tend to do as good if not better job than some so called Main Stealers! Great bike all in all, wish I still had my ST4
