I'm delighted that you like the bike Tom. I'm the previous owner, only sold it because I bought a new Speed Twin and didn't have the space to keep it. I recently put new seals and oil in the forks and I think I got the suspension set-up just about as good as I could get. My weight at the time was 11 1/2 stone, and I found that one click either way on the compression and rebound on the rear shock made a big difference, so if you weigh differently from me it's worth experimenting with the rear settings. I put a new clutch basket and hub last September, the chain and front sprocket haven't done that many miles. If you like the bike, I would recommend a new air filter , and a valve clearance check up, as I feel it can run a bit smoother with a bit of tlc. In my 3 years ownership I changed the oil and filter regularly with Shell Advance 4t. I expect you have read the note I included for the next owner about the fuel sender issue ( a very common problem with Ducati's, never bothered me, or the previous owner, I just ignored the lights and used the trip gauge to know when to refill. I have done nearly 200miles on a full tank. Do let me know if you have any questions about the bike and I will be happy to help. Enjoy the bike, cheers, John.
Oh yes, I had forgotten about that. Serendipitously ( i think that's a word) I heard from the previous owner today who had offered me a 1.5 plate,so hopefully I can return the favour.
Now if it was a box of Chocolate Digestives wink wink. In all honesty I'm very happy with it/her (haven't thought of a name yet) so far. It's got some paddock stand bobbins through the rear wheel but my regular Micron stand of old is too wide to hold it so I will have to remove them and find another solution. Can anyone recommend a single sided rear stand of not astonomical cost?
This should do the trick chief, pin H for the fugley I believe https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/warrior-single-sided-paddock-stand-319613/
Just had a lovely chat with John, the previous owner of Black Betty (just thought up that name) and I now know my bike has been very well looked after, something that I will continue diligently! The clutch works very nicely, did someone want some bits back?
That was me - @CRYSTALJOHN brought Black Betty over to mine and we sorted out the basket and hub swap as I have all the tools. The clutch pack height wasn’t quite spot on so I dug out a 1.5mm plate to make it perfect. I was just kidding that I wanted it back! Have fun and maybe see you around.
Thanks very much for that Ricky - keep an eye out for me around Sussex, can't be too many more Betty's around the south coast!
I used to have one of theses as well....racked up 6,000 miles a year, great bike. Had a termi exhaust and modded air box and racing ECU .... it felt a bit faster and sounded great. Oh yeah...dropped a tooth on the front sprocket too. Enjoy......and great name , black Betty bam a lam!
I'm on the lookout for a Termi exhaust if anyone has one stashed anywhere? Very much enjoying the bike though - have found a couple of decent old school mechanics in and around where I live for valves etc.........am quite looking forward to changing my belts when I need to though........... Took the doris out on it yesterday and she was even quite complimentary - she hated my Hayabusa
@Tommyg Good to see you enjoying it so much, they are great bikes to own and ride arent they. I cant think of a bike that would give as much pleasure per £ . You dont have to worry about it being stolen either on account of the " challenging" looks. Still, you dont look at it when you are on it.
Also ... not putting out lots of power, but enough to enjoy and easy to ride. No need for electronic gizmos.....I used to spray waterproofing on mine as much as possible ... especially the clocks, most of them had at least one instrument change under warranty.
