Bike servicing in Scotland

239desmo

239desmo

Is it nearly bedtime?
Not sure if this belongs here or under "technical" section but just to say I entrusted my beloved roundcase engine which required heads off and clearances (and a valve replaced which I didn't know was a problem!) and a few other bits and pieces to the care of Derek. (aka Ducati Forfar)
Work was almost completed before I arrived back home and only a couple of specialist parts which went awol in the post stopped this being the fastest ever repair/service.
Work was carried out to a truly exacting standard and at a VERY reasonable cost.
I have decided without any hesitation to put all work I cannot be bothered to do (which is a lot!) to Derek in future and have absolutly no hesitation in recommending him to anyone wishing to get their bike serviced to factory standards but without the main dealer costs involved.
I guess anyone planning a Desmosedici may not be interested at the moment but for anyone running 2V motors etc it is something to keep in mind.
Thanks again Derek!:thumbs:
 
Wow! Thanks for the words of praise. :o:o:o

To put this in perspective, in a couple of years I'm hoping to take an early retirement and to supplement what pension I will have I intend to put my 30 odd years of Ducati experience to good use by offering servicing and minor repairs to financially challenged Ducati owners, possibly those with older bikes where main dealer service history is no longer an issue.
Without me asking, a few of you have come to me already and asked if I will do a service or other work to their bikes, which has made me a bit chuffed and I have done and will continue to do all work to the best of my abilities. That may or may not be to "factory standards" since I have no official training but I've been spannering almost as long as I can remember and did my first Desmo head in 1976 - a friends 450 single. I have rebuilt several british bikes including restoring 2 BSA Goldstars from the bottom up. I have extensive experience with belt and bevel V-twins, 2 valve and 4 valve.
I have been buying and making a few special tools over years so I can cope with all normal servicing work including belts and shims both 2V and 4V. I also have diagnostic software for the IAW 5.9M ECU, enabling me to read and clear ECU errors, test sensors and components adjust the TPS, make fuel trim adjustments and reset the service light where applicable. As/when I can afford to, I intend a buy few more tools so that I can increase the range of services that I can offer, although I don't really want to get involved in full engine rebuilds, and since I originally started work as an electronic technician, electrical repairs and fault-finding are not usually a problem to me.

At the moment I'm still working full time, so can't take on too much. Since I'm working from home, the garage is very cramped for space, especially since my son has his bike in there too as well as a complete set of wheels for his car, etc, etc. So one bike at a time is plenty. If this works out I'm probably going to have to think about somewhere bigger to work from but that means more overheads which I don't really want.
I think I need to persuade my son to leave home :D
 
Sounds like a happy customer Derek!! and your description just needs your school records to complete your CV!!! ;) :p

On the same subject, my heads have flown south for the winter!! Baines Racing to be precise. They left this morning to have some new shiny bits fitted inside them (and some other inside bits repolished! Had Rose's family up over the holiday who very kindly packed them in the back of their vehicle and will deliver them for me.

I may use Baines for my requirements but I would nevertheless recommend the man from Forfar - seems like he knows one or two things about Ducatis!!! ;)
:)
 
Hear Hear Stewart - I'll second all that you have (very eloquently ;) ) written.

Derek has already serviced and sorted out my bike last year prior to it's Italian expedition. It came back from Forfar as a very happy Ducati :) and it's booked in again for January :cool:

All the best withthe venture Derek :)
 
Derek, not factory standard?:confused:
I have a report from you advising a valve clearance on checking was .0045".
I know of a certain dealer where measuring in fag paper thicknesses was scientific!
:)
 
When dealing with older Ducatis, I would never trust 'factory settings'!!!! :p ;)
 
239desmo said:
Derek, not factory standard?:confused:
I have a report from you advising a valve clearance on checking was .0045".
I know of a certain dealer where measuring in fag paper thicknesses was scientific!
:)
Click to expand...
Fag papers were indispensible when setting the points on a magdyno. They were deemed to be on the point of opening when you could just slip a fag paper out from between them. In fact ordinary green Rizlas measured 2 thou., the blue ones a trifle thinner. I always used the blue ones ;)
 
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