x2 Why risk having it done at a dealer anyway?!!! Make sure you check the tensioners too, particularly the mobiles as they do get rough and seize. Unless they've been changed to the later part they'll be a double set of bearings that can be changed independently - with some effort mind! Best Lumpy
Some of us just aren't confident in our own mechanical ability. I agree I'd prefer to stay away from a dealer (How much per hour? ) but some of the Independent Ducati places are top notch and reasonably priced.
OK of course if you are not confident/do not have the correct tools then do not attempt it. I change belts for mates and a couple of beers are a lot cheaper than £70 ph! Otherwise as you say there are alternatives to the network.......
For me, having seen the you tube belt change video's i feel confident I could do them. However, this is my first Ducati and I need/would like, a starting point where a well thought of independent mechanic/garage can go through it with a fine tooth comb, give the negatives and plus's of my bike and then allow me to decide what next. It is after all a 13 year old bike. From a logistical/future point of interest, I've always found it a positive to have a garage stamp in your service book from time to time. As to the cost, The independents tend to be cheaper BUT If I were worried about the cost of keeping it running then I would have kept my Honda, rough with the smooth as some may say. Thanks for all the inputs though chaps, much appreciated.
Apologies, I did follow this up with a review of the independent that did it elsewhere. Having seen how it was done, I know I can do it but For me I have always felt there should always be a "go to guy" when it comes to any of my bikes. I ended up using Glen who owns Moto V in Colchester. He took me through all the work being done, showed me what I needed and didn't need. Belts, plugs, oil and filter, throttle bodies checked, rear break bled and fluid etc etc and all the usual checks/adjustments. All in was a very fair price too Rode home quite happy knowing I had chosen the right workshop for my bike. There is a piece of mind knowing the belts were correct ones, fitted by someone who does this day in day out and I should be okay for another couple of years.
The next/current issue is working out if my apparent useless digital bar fuel gauge is faulty, (not unknown) or whether a faulty Reservoir breather valve/fluid recovery reservoir is causing an airlock which leads to my gauge showing full when in fact the air lock only allows a 2/3's full tank.
Tbh, I'm not sure that a dealer stamp for just a belt change is really worth anything. A dated receipt would have as much value, I think. And anyway, knowledge of previous belt change history doesn't really tell you a lot ... if the belts didn't snap there's no problem, no matter how frequently they were changed in the past. Of course, its worth having the stamp for a full service, but not perhaps if its just for a belt change. My advice would be, have a go yourself next time.
I think you'll find that noobie said that he'd probably have a go himself at most things next time, but he wanted someone that knows about these machines to do it and make sure it's all as it should be And look over the rest of the bike to see if there's anything else iffy that an experienced eye would pick up on. So when noobie does anything himself then he won't be working around previous bodges or issues. Glen is a real enthusiast that charges sensibly. So not a full dealer price to make sure that he has a good 'base line' to work from in future.
I think Andy pretty much summed it up as I did in the earlier posts. This is my third v twin but first Ducati and as I had only bought it earlier in the year from an owner who was honest enough to admit he had hardly ridden it much in the last few years as he didn't like it, then you are never sure just what it is you've bought. Going to a workshop whether authorised or independent, gave me a great starting base to know what I had, what I needed to do, what I didn't need to do and discuss future works. For that I found Moto V and Glen a great help and at a very fair price in away absolutely I would use them again...Although...He makes crap tea and the tea I made was better As to the stamp, I have never seen a bike with a receipt with the works done and a stamp in the service book as a negative.
