Finally I have a working MTS 1000! So bought a very tatty 1000DS around 18 months ago. It was scruffy and had wrecked forks (eaten by road salt). I replaced the rear shock and rebuilt the forks with a spare set provided with the bike. I took the engine out had a local shop change the belts and adjust the valves. Then I re painted the engine. Excellent I thought. I'd always wanted one,the bike looked smart again. Reassembled everything threw some fuel in ready to go for a spin. After a performance it started - ran rough and wouldn't idle. That's when the fun began! Did simple stuff changed plugs, fuel filter and air filter - no change except now the bloody fuel pump assembly wouldn't seal (I did buy a new seal) so it dripped petrol everywhere. Bought a different seal and reassembled - it sealed - still ran rough with no idle and incredibly rich. Took to local shop who did the belts - they were confused by it. Intermittent coil fault. Replaced coils (one didn't test properly) Replaced idle valve - no Joy Downloaded Diag - and paid for rewriter - reflashed ECU - no joy. Desperate now.... Tried to get booked in with Luigimoto in Bristol (I'm in Weymouth) he was stacked. Managed to get it booked in with Nelly at cornerspeed for about a month later. Drove from Weymouth to Sutton in Ashfield and was helped by a truly decent bloke. Nelly was brilliant. He corrected the timing and valves that had been hashed up by the shop down here but couldn't fix the issue as the problem was electrical! He also put me in touch with a place to get the right manual for the bike. I then found a decent loom from a dry State in the US Bought a replacement ECU from Chris W on here - which was top notch - thanks Chris Assembled it and the bike ran - really rich but it ran. Then the sprag clutch went - replaced that I rode it for a bit but it was so rich it was fouling plugs and surging. I gave up for a couple of months - because the bike had done my head in. I hate not finishing things so picked up the mantle again. I always had a wet horizontal set of plugs so replaced the injector. Replaced and reset TPS Replaced air temp sensor Leaned it right of using the diag trimmer I vented the crankcase to air and sealed the hole in the air box (can a bike vitiate if is has blow by?) Replaced the throttle bodies with a set the idle valve turned up with. Started it....and it ran well and pulled cleanly Then tried to reassemble the bike and the quick release fuel clips were so worn they kept popping off and leaking fuel. Replaced fuel connectors reassembled and it works! It's a nice bike to ride too! It is much better for taking my son to school on too. It's been frustrating and at times more that I wanted to spend. But I have learned so much about working on Ducatis and have enjoyed most of it. Oddly I would do an MTS again as I've learned a lot about them. But for now am just going to enjoy riding it and can finally sell my Capirex 620 - which I've owned longer than I intended to!
Well done. Sticking with it takes real determination and as its a Ducati a fair amount of cash. Many would have given up and never had the satisfaction, nor the great riding! I do think we should get to see the beast, though include a bin in the pics for @Ducbird won't you...
As others have said you've done a fine fine job there. It's always heartening to see tired & forgotten bikes given some care and attention and brought back to life. And although more expensive in time & hassle it's financially cheaper than buying a new or a pristine example plus infinitely more personally rewarding
My daily is a rather tatty Cagiva V Raptor that has done 70k commuting miles in all weathers. Needless to say it's looking a little worn & frayed around the edges although I do maintain it as best you can with such usage. Hopefully this year I'll be able to spend some proper time on it and give it the full refurb it deserves. I also have an old bevel drive Darmah that I had left neglected in the back of the garage for too long but I have now re-instated back to it's former glory. See https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threa...relationship-so-far.94220/page-5#post-2033471
Great read and excellent persistence… Nothing more satisfying than completing a job that taxes the mind. Looks lovely too.. A very well done..
Andy that is lovely mate, I wish I'd kept some of my earlier bikes. There was a 748 I bought - but was a bit mechanically inept to get it right. I'd love to redo that now.
Hi there I am not too far from Weymouth myself and I just bought 2003 1000ds .. bit untidy but not too bothered about asthetics if I'm honest ..runs pretty well .pulls good .. just seems to be a bit indecisive when idling if you know what I mean ..and also I'm not too happy with the uselessness of the fuel guage ....any thoughts on the idle would be welcome .. thanks in advance
