I decided to resurrect my wife’s Monster. It had been off the road for a good number of years, she not wanting to use it but on the other hand she didn’t want to sell it either. However, following her passing late last year I buried myself in the garage to give myself something to do to take my mind off things. It’s been on the road for a couple of weeks now and running really well. Dealt with the rusty tank and clogged carbs and vacuum fuel pump. New chain and tyres, fork seals etc. It’s good to see it running again. She would be pleased I’m sure. What doesn’t work is the fuel level sensor (surprise). When we used to do our big road trips to France and Spain I always went by my speedo reading (900ss) and filling both up every hundred miles or so. I really have no idea of the range of the little Monster. I wonder if somebody could give me some idea of miles I could expect from a full tank. Another thing I notice is the rather heavy clutch ( compared to my 1994 900ss). I just dont remember it being particularly heavy, but it was a long time ago I last rode the Monster. I wonder if anybody could confirm that they are a little heavier. Sorry to rattle on Mike
Probably 100 miles or so. Mainly because it’s very underpowered so it’s off the stop everywhere. Tank isn’t huge either in volume, 13l springs to mind? They do have a fairly heavy clutch like all Ducati. But it’s also been years since I rode my last one and my monster now is dry clutch.
Nice to hear you’ve got the monster up and running. The tank has 16 litres capacity with approximately 55.6 Imp mpg depending on how you use it. I use the 100 miles rule on my 900ss as I’ve never noticed the warning light on the dash so suspect it’s drowned!
Thanks Carr I shall also continue to use the 100 mile rule as I always have done, It’s just nice to know at which point it becomes a matter of urgency to find a garage
My wife and I have a 900ss and a carby 600 monster too. 900ss light comes on around 100 miles as you say, the little Monster will happily do 150-160 till the light comes on. I always use the trip as well mind, as the Monster's level indicator has had the occasional 'blip' in the past, but then 'fixed itself'. Hope this helps.
That helps loads, thank you I dont suppose the occasion will rise when I do that mileage without filling up but but its nice to know that it’ll go way beyond 100 miles if needed without worrying about it. As you have both bikes to hand, do you feel the 600 clutch is a little heavier than the ss? She always said it was heavy even from new and impossible to find neutral at a standstill, gave her a hard time in traffic. I never had a problem with it because I always selected neutral just before stopping. She never got the knack. Always found neutral very easy at standstill when the engine is cold. As the oil warms the clutch its suddenly impossible to select without the bike rolling. Probably dragging slightly. Thanks again Mike
Personally I find the 600 Monster's clutch a lot lighter than the 900ss, though ours is a 2000 model year and I think the slave cylinder changed from the early ones, so that may make a difference? Regarding selecting neutral, my wife often has trouble finding it when stopped, though I don't usually. The only time I do is when there's a bit of air in the clutch line and a fluid change and bleed normally sorts it out.
Interesting, I will maybe try bleeding it again. The model year of hers, or rather mine now, is 1995 so maybe there was a change in the slave. Either way I can live with it. Thanks for taking the time to help.
IME of riding these older monsters, semi synthetic oil helps with engaging neutral and gear issues. Seems to help the clutch a bit
Always used semi synthetic I think, that’s whats in it now anyway. When i start up from cold and let it idle it snicks into neutral really easy time after time. After 2 or 3 minutes idling its suddenly impossible without rolling along slightly. It’s like as the heat builds then the clutch drags and loads the gearbox. It’s liveable with, just always bugged me that I couldn’t fix it. Maybe I’ll try pressure bleeding from the bleed nipple upwards (something different)
