Bad Service at Spectrum in Irvine -HYJACKED

[Strobman99]

Ok so just a little rant. Besides the 1098 i have a Aprilia SXV 550 which now has a blown motor after 1100 miles. Was in for service a spectrum at 750 mi and the motor blew at 1100 apparently it uses 1200cc of oil in that short of time. Even with no oil light or smoke coming out of the bike. So it was taken back to spectrum where it was purchased and they say too bad buy a new motor. They were no help at all in getting it fixed. now i have the bike back and in pieces in the garage and have to take is some where else. Spectrum woulnt help to get it fixed under warranty. just told me that you supposed to check the oil every time you fill up the bike and add oil. the amount of oil it "used" was more than my old 2 stroke dirtbikes did in their pre mix. also when the bike was purchased there the specifically told me that the oil sight tube was worthless and just watch for the oil light and make sure it is serviced at the correct intervals. well enough of that i will just never go back there. just thought i would give you guys a heads up that they are just about making a buck not helping the customer.

on a side note was in the shop getting parts and watched them sell a bike to a mentally handicapped person. the guy actually fell over in the parking lot not once but twice before the bike was even running and they still sold him the bike. i think that just shows the type of ethic they have. Out to make a Buck any way any how.

[DrGonzo]

Ive had a mixed experience with Spectrum at best, but DAMN!

that sucks! hope you get this all straightened out. Wont any dealership perform warranty repairs even if you didnt buy it from them?

[1st Duc]

Thanks Strobman99, I think this is exactly what this forum is for, to share info... And Dealers are on the list of "lets keep them honest"... I was feeling the same about my dealer "proitalia" in glendale. my story is: I went to proitalia for the racetech suspension setup day after riding ACH all morning. While waiting for my turn my friend 1098bandit noticed my steerer tube was almost out of the bottom (a few mm short) so I grab the service manager walked him over to my bike and he said : "I thought you had adjusted it that way"... (My bike was in for 600mi sevice 2 days earlier)... He tought I was trying to make cheap riser bars by droping out the steerer tube out the bottom... what a dumb ass. And if I was and you noticed it was unsafe wouldn't you warn the customer that it is not a good idea... fact is these guys are not to be trusted like friends, so lets keep them honest...

[IcePick06]

My bike is at Spectrum right now for the stalling issue. I won't be paying a dime either, so if they try and screw me over, they will be hearing from my lawyer (lol). There are a few good guys that work there, and Adrian (service manager) has his good/bad days.

Sorry to hear about your bike man. Check out Moto Forza, or Socal Ducati in Brea...if they sell Aprilia.

[Strobman99]

yeah i bought my 1098 from GP in sd they are great. should have got the aprilia from them too but wanted the 550 and no one but spectrum had it. the reason i took it back up to spectrum is that they did the oil change the week before so i figured the would fix it. Had my lawyer send them a letter they are still talking but nothing is happening, so i picked the bike up. Going to get it fixed elsewhere. The biggest thing is i no one else had had an oil usage problem with this bike. i personally think that spectrum didnt put enough oil back in the bike after it was serviced and are now placing the blame that you need to check everything on the bike even after a dealer works on it. you would think a good dealer would check over that stuff for you.

[Allan Gibbs]

Better Business Bureau complain can be a thorn in their side.

[apessino]

My experience with Spectrum was not nearly as bad as yours, but like you I am not taking my business there at all anymore.

Last November I purchased a brand spanking new Aprilia Tuono from them (mostly because of their main Aprilia service guy, Amauri… one of the best bike mechanics I have ever interacted with; he has since moved on to the Aprilia US race team.. good for him!).

So, I got the new bike and a bunch of extras all from them, including a full Akra titanium system, etc. Paid cash for the bike and took possession. As it turns out, I made a big mistake… I didn’t like the bike after all. Nothing wrong with it (in fact, it is as good as a naked streetfighter bike is going to get) but I just could not get used to the windblast, the wide bars and the upright riding position (20+ years of riding full on sportbikes will do that to you). Also, one week after I got the Tuono, Ducati announced the 1098, and I knew I had to have one.

So, I went back to Spectrum and asked them to sell the bike for me (with ~600 miles on it). They happily did (for a “modest” fee of 10% of the sale price) and within a week the bike was sold, at a total loss for me of about $5K (my fault for being a damn moron, so no problem there).

I told them to turn the money around towards a red 1098. Their sales manager, a guy named Rich, told me that I had to pay full MSRP (fine) and all of their bullshit fees to go on top (taking me for a ride, but fine… high demand for a product will do that). Then, without me even asking, he said “Since you bought two bikes from us in as many months, when you pick up the bike you will receive a $400 gift certificate for our parts department.” Hey, what a nice gesture, I thought to myself. I asked if the gift certificate could be used towards a Ducati stand, and he said “Anything in our store… up to $400!”

Months go by, then last April I finally get the call… the bike is in! I go pick up my gorgeous beast, and as I finish up the paperwork I ask for my $400 gift certificate. The dude looks at me like I have just asked for my free pink elephant. I tell him about my conversation with Rich, and the guy says “did Rich put it in writing?” I reply that I had assumed he wrote it in the paperwork, and that I wasn’t aware this was something I would have to argue about afterwards. So, the next thing out of his mouth his “Rich does not work here anymore, and since I don’t have anything in writing I can’t give you what he promised you, sorry!” The best he could do, he said, is to offer me some things from the parts department at cost, and only on that day.

This really, really pissed me off (and kind of ruined my “day of joy,” to be honest). I could have told them to keep the bike, but then I would have had to wait (possibly) several months before I could get another one. So I protested but accepted their lousy deal.

Now, I could care less if Rich wrote it down or not, or why he wasn’t working there anymore.. and it's not even about the freaking 400 bucks! Fact is, he made a promise to me and I thought a good dealership should have honored that promise. Did they really think I made the offer up? If so, I feel insulted, if not, I feel seriously underappreciated as a customer. It would have only cost them a couple hundred bucks to let me pick up some parts (if even that much) and keep me happy, yet they chose not to, and lost me as a customer in the process. Given the amount of business I have given to SoCal Ducati since, I think it was a very stupid decision on their part.

[Allan Gibbs]

But how are they to know you -or anyone else for that matter wasn't making it up since the sale guy isn't there any more and there's nothing in writing?

[apessino]

But how are they to know you -or anyone else for that matter wasn't making it up since the sale guy isn't there any more and there's nothing in writing?

They aren't to know... I thought that as a customer who has dropped well over $35K in cash in a couple of months, I would be treated as an honorable and honest person. I guess it was an unrealistic expectation.

[nucking_futs]

Ok so just a little rant. Besides the 1098 i have a Aprilia SXV 550 which now has a blown motor after 1100 miles. Was in for service a spectrum at 750 mi and the motor blew at 1100 apparently it uses 1200cc of oil in that short of time. Even with no oil light or smoke coming out of the bike. So it was taken back to spectrum where it was purchased and they say too bad buy a new motor. They were no help at all in getting it fixed. now i have the bike back and in pieces in the garage and have to take is some where else. Spectrum woulnt help to get it fixed under warranty. just told me that you supposed to check the oil every time you fill up the bike and add oil. the amount of oil it "used" was more than my old 2 stroke dirtbikes did in their pre mix. also when the bike was purchased there the specifically told me that the oil sight tube was worthless and just watch for the oil light and make sure it is serviced at the correct intervals. well enough of that i will just never go back there. just thought i would give you guys a heads up that they are just about making a buck not helping the customer.

on a side note was in the shop getting parts and watched them sell a bike to a mentally handicapped person. the guy actually fell over in the parking lot not once but twice before the bike was even running and they still sold him the bike. i think that just shows the type of ethic they have. Out to make a Buck any way any how.

Let me get this straight, you didn't add oil like you were supposed to and the engine blew, now you are pissed at the dealer??? How is that their fault???

[nucking_futs]

My experience with Spectrum was not nearly as bad as yours, but like you I am not taking my business there at all anymore.

Last November I purchased a brand spanking new Aprilia Tuono from them (mostly because of their main Aprilia service guy, Amauri… one of the best bike mechanics I have ever interacted with; he has since moved on to the Aprilia US race team.. good for him!).

So, I got the new bike and a bunch of extras all from them, including a full Akra titanium system, etc. Paid cash for the bike and took possession. As it turns out, I made a big mistake… I didn’t like the bike after all. Nothing wrong with it (in fact, it is as good as a naked streetfighter bike is going to get) but I just could not get used to the windblast, the wide bars and the upright riding position (20+ years of riding full on sportbikes will do that to you). Also, one week after I got the Tuono, Ducati announced the 1098, and I knew I had to have one.

So, I went back to Spectrum and asked them to sell the bike for me (with ~600 miles on it). They happily did (for a “modest” fee of 10% of the sale price) and within a week the bike was sold, at a total loss for me of about $5K (my fault for being a damn moron, so no problem there).

I told them to turn the money around towards a red 1098. Their sales manager, a guy named Rich, told me that I had to pay full MSRP (fine) and all of their bullshit fees to go on top (taking me for a ride, but fine… high demand for a product will do that). Then, without me even asking, he said “Since you bought two bikes from us in as many months, when you pick up the bike you will receive a $400 gift certificate for our parts department.” Hey, what a nice gesture, I thought to myself. I asked if the gift certificate could be used towards a Ducati stand, and he said “Anything in our store… up to $400!”

Months go by, then last April I finally get the call… the bike is in! I go pick up my gorgeous beast, and as I finish up the paperwork I ask for my $400 gift certificate. The dude looks at me like I have just asked for my free pink elephant. I tell him about my conversation with Rich, and the guy says “did Rich put it in writing?” I reply that I had assumed he wrote it in the paperwork, and that I wasn’t aware this was something I would have to argue about afterwards. So, the next thing out of his mouth his “Rich does not work here anymore, and since I don’t have anything in writing I can’t give you what he promised you, sorry!” The best he could do, he said, is to offer me some things from the parts department at cost, and only on that day.

This really, really pissed me off (and kind of ruined my “day of joy,” to be honest). I could have told them to keep the bike, but then I would have had to wait (possibly) several months before I could get another one. So I protested but accepted their lousy deal.

Now, I could care less if Rich wrote it down or not, or why he wasn’t working there anymore.. and it's not even about the freaking 400 bucks! Fact is, he made a promise to me and I thought a good dealership should have honored that promise. Did they really think I made the offer up? If so, I feel insulted, if not, I feel seriously underappreciated as a customer. It would have only cost them a couple hundred bucks to let me pick up some parts (if even that much) and keep me happy, yet they chose not to, and lost me as a customer in the process. Given the amount of business I have given to SoCal Ducati since, I think it was a very stupid decision on their part.

So the source of your discontent is a promised $400 gift certificate that never materialized? Let's be reasonable here. You returned a bike after 600 miles and they turned around and sold it for you, what else do you want? Rich was a lazy ass scumbag that's why Spectrum got rid of him. Sounds like he lied to you too, so why didn't you take it up with Jamie the owner? Also Mike is the new GM now and he's a reasonable guy and the new finance guy Sean is top notch.

I don't understand the Spectrum bashing. Those guys have always been good to me. I've never had any issues with them. They've taken care of me when I had my Aprilia Factory even tho I didn't buy it from them. And since then I've bought my 999R and 1098S from them because they've treated me well.

[Ara]

Yeah,
What Arnie says :1.
I drive 83 miles one way to Spectrum because I like all the guys there. There are 3 other Ducati dealers I pass on the way.

[redS2R]

I have had good service from Spectrum. Adrian has always been good to me and worked around my schedule for service. He fixed the stalling issue on my 1098 very quickly after I brought it to his attention. The new ECU was sent over night from Ducati and installed the next day. He performed my 3K service in time to ride to Laguna Seca this past weekend. I can't complain. Mike, the GM, has always been very courteous and professional.

When bad luck gets you down go to your happy place. This weekend was my happy place. The girls were happy too.

[IcePick06]

I have had good service from Spectrum. Adrian has always been good to me and worked around my schedule for service. He fixed the stalling issue on my 1098 very quickly after I brought it to his attention. The new ECU was sent over night from Ducati and installed the next day. He performed my 3K service in time to ride to Laguna Seca this past weekend. I can't complain. Mike, the GM, has always been very courteous and professional.

When bad luck gets you down go to your happy place. This weekend was my happy place. The girls were happy too.

Those girls were so nice, and cool to talk to. If only they would have accepted my humble offer to come back to my room to discuss life.......yeah, we could've just talked about life in general...but more importantly how to create it.............................................. :sex

On another note, Adrian said I should have my bike back by tomorrow with the new ECU so apparently Ducati shipped it overnight as well. Let's just hope the stalling issue is resolved now. :sweat I too get along pretty well with all the guys at Spectrum including Rob in Parts.

[nucking_futs]

When bad luck gets you down go to your happy place. This weekend was my happy place. The girls were happy too.

Whoa Larry! Any more pics??? :drool

BTW got your vm, I was not at Laguna. I didn't get your message until late Sunday.

Let's ride soon.

[1st Duc]

I suggest one of you Spectrum loving guys accompany "strobman" to spectrum so he can get the sevice you get...
let's not bash him for stating what happend... the question is: where did all that oil go in 350 miles? my guess very little was put in.

Who would expect this to happen? answer: no one.

[apessino]

So the source of your discontent is a promised $400 gift certificate that never materialized?

No, the source of my discontent is that I was lied to. I don't give a rat's ass who Rich is/was, if he were lazy or if he could tap dance... I did not hire him, I didn't make him the sales manager of the dealership and it is not my problem if he was not right for the job. Since it was their problem, I believe the right thing to do was not to doubt the loyal customer's honesty (me), but rather honor what the guy had promised, take the slight loss and put the whole incident behind them. The fact that they chose to do otherwise tells me, as the original poster stated, that they much rather get the quick buck than think of the long term repercussions of their actions.

You returned a bike after 600 miles and they turned around and sold it for you, what else do you want?

They sold it for a further 10% commission, not to do me a favor. In any case, I was not complaining about this... I was just providing some context as to the extent of the interaction I had already had with the dealership before picking up my 1098.

why didn't you take it up with Jamie the owner? Also Mike is the new GM now and he's a reasonable guy and the new finance guy Sean is top notch.

You are right , I should have talked to the owner. Sean was the guy I dealt with, and as far as I was concerned the story ended there.

I don't understand the Spectrum bashing. Those guys have always been good to me. I've never had any issues with them.

No one is bashing them... some of us have reasons to be unhappy with the level of service we received from Spectrum. You have been happy, so great... maybe they just like you more. :dunno

As with the original poster, I think that if your 1098's engine had detonated itself into nothingness 400 miles after you had it serviced without so much of a warning light, you'd be singing a very different song...

[Allan Gibbs]

Nice thing about these shops is the owner is usually pretty accessible and can resolve the problem pretty quickly - unless the problem's with the owner. :laugh

[Rhett]

Let's not make this a pissing match, he was clearly stating his side of his dealings with the dealer. To every bad story I'm sure there are good ones as well.

[Strobman99]

Let me get this straight, you didn't add oil like you were supposed to and the engine blew, now you are pissed at the dealer??? How is that their fault???
do you add oil to your bike after every tank of gas? also didnt know that i was supposed to do this no where in the manual or in person was i told to add oil. only after the fact was i told this. also since i rode it 750 miles with out adding oil dont you think they would have told me it was low when i brought it in for the first service...then 400 miles later it is out of oil...after the engine burned up they didnt drain any oil out of it....seems weird that in almost half the miles it burned all the oil and the first 750 burned none???

[IcePick06]

do you add oil to your bike after every tank of gas? also didnt know that i was supposed to do this no where in the manual or in person was i told to add oil. only after the fact was i told this. also since i rode it 750 miles with out adding oil dont you think they would have told me it was low when i brought it in for the first service...then 400 miles later it is out of oil...after the engine burned up they didnt drain any oil out of it....seems weird that in almost half the miles it burned all the oil and the first 750 burned none???

I do empathize with your story. I'll admit that I have never added oil beyond doing an oil change with ANY of my street bikes. The only bike that I had to add oil to was my CRF450 dirt bike. Also, there is no oil warning light on dirtbikes, so YOU (THE OWNER) are responsible for periodically checking the oil and I was even told this by the salesman who sold me the bike.

However, if nobody told you to add oil to your Aprilia, and it didn't state to periodically check it in the owner's manual, and there was no oil warning light, or weird noises while riding, etc. then I'm not sure I would have done anything different my friend; I do hope everything works out for you though.

[Allan Gibbs]

So, I was curious to see what the 1098's manual says and checking oil is part of the pre-ride check section. They have a little dislaimer saying, "failure to carry out these checks before a starting may result in damage to the motorcycle and injury to the rider."

I suppose they'd use this section to get out of liability. But if it could be proven that the shop did not add enough oil, I think they percentage of liability would over shadow the owner's failure to check the oil before each ride. But I'm not lawyer so......

[Thatguy]

also didnt know that i was supposed to do this no where in the manual or in person was i told to add oil.

page 2-31 of your owners manual.
you were'nt told the bike bike would fall over if did't use the kickstand.......common sense. Low oil = add oil.

[apessino]

you were'nt told the bike bike would fall over if did't use the kickstand.......common sense.

Yes, because that is the same thing... :rolleyes

Wow.. some of these replies are condescending to the point of unbelievability. If you read what he wrote, there was no oil at all when they drained the bike after it blew up, and that was just a few hundred miles after it was serviced.

It is pretty damn obvious the dealer screwed up and didn't properly refill the bike with oil as they should have, and yet you keep telling this guy that he is at fault for not checking the oil after getting the bike back? Even if he might have checked it and prevented disaster from happening, it seems gloriously unfair to state that he was expected to do so and is therefore solely to blame.

[Thatguy]

If you read what he wrote, there was no oil at all when they drained the bike after it blew up, and that was just a few hundred miles after it was serviced.

not your fault that he is giving misinformation but it did have oil in the bike. I am on the AF1 website often because i have thought of getting one of these bikes. So....to quote him from over there.

" i rely on my dealer to complete the required service. (1st oil change at 300miles; new plugs, sprocket, and radiator at 650miles, oil level fine; blown motor at 1000miles) some of the miles are freeway, 5mins at +/-70mph 2-3 times a week."

So.....he had the oil changed at 300 miles not at 750miles....er......650miles (in this quote). Then the bike nades at 1100...er...1000 miles. And BTW the bike had 200cc of oil....not much but something.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1476644#post1476644

[qqqqqqqman]

Feel for ya, Strobman :twisted. I've NEVER had to add even a ml of oil in any of 6 bikes, aside from the normal oil changes. Sure sounds fishy to me how all that oil could be gone through normal riding :rolleyes. Who checks their oil every ride in the absence of a warning light indication? :dunno


**

[nucking_futs]

not your fault that he is giving misinformation but it did have oil in the bike. I am on the AF1 website often because i have thought of getting one of these bikes. So....to quote him from over there.

" i rely on my dealer to complete the required service. (1st oil change at 300miles; new plugs, sprocket, and radiator at 650miles, oil level fine; blown motor at 1000miles) some of the miles are freeway, 5mins at +/-70mph 2-3 times a week."

So.....he had the oil changed at 300 miles not at 750miles....er......650miles (in this quote). Then the bike nades at 1100...er...1000 miles. And BTW the bike had 200cc of oil....not much but something.

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1476644#post1476644

Well then, apparently there is more to this story than what's been posted originally by Strobman. :shakehead

[nucking_futs]

do you add oil to your bike after every tank of gas?

No, but I check the oil level each time before I leave the house.

[Notorious DSB]

I check the oil level each time FutNuckers comes over the house.

How was class today, Arnie?

[nucking_futs]

How was class today, Arnie?

I just got home dude. It was loooooong! Back at it tomorrow. It's so funny there's a bunch of motorcyclists in the class too and we're having a good laugh about the fact that we're all there. At least the instructor is funny and entertaining and a nice guy otherwise I'd be poking myself with a sharp stick in the eye.

I'm definitely jonesing for a ride next weekend. How was ACH?

[Notorious DSB]

Arnie, check out the 7/28 jack thread. We jacked Mark's Pally ride within 1 post and he changed the entire ride over to ACH and didn't put up any resistance. It was pretty cool and mellow. Nobody did anything out of the ordinary but half the group got pulled over by the tree for crossing the DY.

I knew the chippie was on us so I was cruising and then JT and Jerry flew past me then the chippie flew past me and chased them down.

Kent pulled some strings and got them off by promising to buy the chippie a beer at the local cop bar. It was a fun ride though, we clowned a lot and we took over Newcomb's by playing the 7/8/07 ride dvd on their big screen while we ate. Everyone else was major hatin' but they all wanted to watch the video still of all the 1098 guys ripping up the Crest.

[HB1098S]

Maybe we should change the name of this thread to "I Didn't Get the Service I Wanted at Spectrum in Irvine"

[Thatguy]

LOl

:threadjacked

By the lawbreaker(arnie) and.....um... the lawman apparently. :)

You rode your bike to the class right?

[nucking_futs]

LOl

:threadjacked

By the lawbreaker(arnie) and.....um... the lawman apparently. :)

You rode your bike to the class right?

Yessireee bob, that's us - thread jackers and post whores.

And yes, rode the bike to class. Might as well.

[Notorious DSB]

Arnie, I might take my bike to Spectrum though and have that bearing seal checked out. My clutch problem is getting worse. During yesterday's ride, the clutch did not engage until 2/3 pull in and even at full pull, the bike was still rolling strong in gear. It wouldn't shift and I was stalling at every signal because the bike wanted to roll while I was holding the brakes.

I was able to shift and downshift on the freeway by blipping the throttle and then it shifted like butter again. Damn faulty seals. I read on Motowheels that it is a MUST that I get the clutch master slave.

What's the difference between the 28.5 and 30.5mm slaves? I know it's 2mm but what's the performance difference, if any? Will it take 2 seconds off my laptimes at Angeles?

[Notorious DSB]

Just got home from traffic school, it's finally over!!! Damn, my whole friggin weekend. Oh well.

My bike had the same exact symptom as yours. Talk to Adrian, he's the service manager and he's fully aware of the clutch issues. Brent is the tech that's most knowledgeable on Ducs at Spectrum. See if he can work on your bike.

Also, if they replace the bearing you're not going to need a different slave. Mine is good to go after they replaced the bearing.

Was everything under warranty and did they give you a hard time over the aftermarket clutch plate and screws?

[nucking_futs]

Was everything under warranty and did they give you a hard time over the aftermarket clutch plate and screws?

Everything was under warranty, and no they didn't give me a hard time on the aftermarket stuff.

[Notorious DSB]

Everything was under warranty, and no they didn't give me a hard time on the aftermarket stuff.

Beautiful!

Julio's bike is very nice and he did a good job, too bad he put on the FIM stickers which looked a bit too oversized and hokey.

[1st Duc]

Well my bike is doing it again. Not going into neutral and shifting into first hurts, the bike lunges.

So what are you doing Will and when. You buying a clutch slave or gonna have that bearing checked?

Has anyone taken their bike to Berts mega mall for service? and did it still run when they gave it back?
I'm asking because there close to me...

[nucking_futs]

Well my bike is doing it again. Not going into neutral and shifting into first hurts, the bike lunges.

So what are you doing Will and when. You buying a clutch slave or gonna have that bearing checked?

Has anyone taken their bike to Berts mega mall for service? and did it still run when they gave it back?
I'm asking because there close to me...

Avoid Bert's like the plague. Do not go there unless you want more problems with the bike than what you originally took it there for. Take it to ProItalia first and tell them about the bearing. And make sure you ask for directions on this board on how to get to Proitalia. :crackup

[IcePick06]

Arnie, I might take my bike to Spectrum though and have that bearing seal checked out. My clutch problem is getting worse. During yesterday's ride, the clutch did not engage until 2/3 pull in and even at full pull, the bike was still rolling strong in gear. It wouldn't shift and I was stalling at every signal because the bike wanted to roll while I was holding the brakes.

I was able to shift and downshift on the freeway by blipping the throttle and then it shifted like butter again. Damn faulty seals. I read on Motowheels that it is a MUST that I get the clutch master slave.

What's the difference between the 28.5 and 30.5mm slaves? I know it's 2mm but what's the performance difference, if any? Will it take 2 seconds off my laptimes at Angeles?

I'm telling you just get the slave cylinder. I was forced to buy one after my 3rd ride with you guys cuz mine would leak after every ride. It will solve your problems and the clutch pull will be much easier on your bike which is needed IMO; especially when I have to travel for 6 hrs through grueling freeway traffic to get to the Shell station at the bottom of ACH by 9am only to wait for you to arrive 2 hrs later :kicknuts...:lol

I believe the 30.5mm is 33% clutch pull reduction and the 28.5mm is 29% clutch pull reduction...not much difference, but I'd go for the 30.5mm

FWIW, Adrian at Spectrum seems to have fixed my stalling issue. I took the bike there a few days ago and they ordered me the replacement ECU (not DP racing ECU). My invoice said Brett was the technician (as I always request him), but they gave my bike to Eric again. Regardless, my bike didn't stall one time yesterday and I'm happy because after I put on those LV's, that thing was stalling at every other light. Spectrum is alright in my book.

[1st Duc]

Hey Mark, if you can get a DV camcorder I can let you have the tapes... you can dump it into your pc and edit all you want...let me know.

Thanks Arnie, I had the same feeling but was wondering.

Ok Mark, I'm going to wait and hear what Will does and see if it works or should I just do both.

What do you think Arnie?

[Notorious DSB]

1stAnt, I am going to call SoCal on Tuesday to see what they say. If I can get a slave cylinder for a reasonable price from them while they do the warranty on the bearing, I'll do both because I had an Evoluzione slave on my Aprilia and it really did help on the clutch feel so there's improvements other than the leak issue.

I backed out the clutch lever all the way to max outboard by twisting that little knob. Temporary solution but it gives me more space on the lever before it engages. At the end of Saturday, the lever would not engage until 2/3 pull in, now it's at 1/2 pull in.

I was stalling everywhere because the bike wants to go and I stop at a light or stop sign and hold the brake while the bike is fighting in 1st gear so it just stalls. I couldn't even shift with you guys up in the canyons without revving higher and blipping the throttle to get it to shift right.

[nucking_futs]

Thanks Arnie, I had the same feeling but was wondering.

Ok Mark, I'm going to wait and hear what Will does and see if it works or should I just do both.

What do you think Arnie?

IMO have the bearing replaced first, save yourself some moolah. That's just me tho.

[1st Duc]

ok Will let me know how it turns out.

Hey Mark, should I go ahead and do both?

[IcePick06]

ok Will let me know how it turns out.

Hey Mark, should I go ahead and do both?

You could do both, but honestly, if you do the slave cylinder, you won't have anymore problems so you probably won't need to do the bearing replacement. Plus the slave cylinder comes in different colors (blue, silver, black, red, gold) and adds some bling to your bike :cool

As far as editing, nevermind...I have an oldskool Sony camcorder that uses 8mm tape, so I won't be able to transfer anything from your digital camcorder. Just make the video however you want, the last one turned out pretty good anyway.

[1st Duc]

Arnie, if I just get the clutch slave will I need to have my bearing replaced?

[nucking_futs]

Arnie, if I just get the clutch slave will I need to have my bearing replaced?

No you don't, however, if you're bearing is defective the problem will persist.

This is why I recommend changing the bearing first, which is the root cause of this issue.

[1st Duc]

mmmmmmmm Thats a very good point.

Will, can you inquire about this when you go to spectrum and tell them Arnie sent you. I hear you get coffee and donuts while you wait, oh snap! you get those everyday anyway... Well just ask please.

Mark, have you noticed any problems at all since the clutch slave was installed?

[IcePick06]

mmmmmmmm Thats a very good point.

Will, can you inquire about this when you go to spectrum and tell them Arnie sent you. I hear you get coffee and donuts while you wait, oh snap! you get those everyday anyway... Well just ask please.

Mark, have you noticed any problems at all since the clutch slave was installed?


No, I have about 1500 miles on my clutch slave and I've noticed ZERO problems. God forbid something should happen (knock on wood) I'll check the bearing, but I can't imagine every single late model Ducati has a bad bearing. On the contrary, late model Ducati's are known for having leaky OEM slave cylinder units...which is why aftermarket companies like STM, Evo, MPL, etc. sell the better designed slave cylinders.

This is quoted from Motowheels' (site sponsor) website regarding their evoluzione designed slave cylinder unit:

"This is one of the "must do" modifications to all late model Ducatis. The Evoluzione designed large bore billet slave cylinder reduces the lever effort and leaking problems of the OE unit. You will wonder why Ducati did not use this design in the first place...

Fits all Ducati 6 speeds and some late model 5 speeds with the non-integrated external slave cylinders. Available in five colors: Black, Silver, Red, Deep Gold, and Light-Gold.

This slave cylinder is basically the same as the evo kit--but does not include the disposable bleeder bottle and extra bleeders. This kit is designed for the experienced mechanic or professional with hydraulic bleeding tools such as a "Mighty Vac". This kit does not include a bleeder cup or additional banjo bleeder fittings. If you have a bleeder tool, this is the kit for you. If you don't have any bleeder tools: See our "Billet Clutch Slave Cylinder: Evoluzione kit" for the complete kit with bleeder cup and extra banjo bleeders. Or just add a single banjo bleeder from the options list to make bleeding easier with this kit and save the price of the bleeder bottle.

*Three (3) separate piston seals eliminate leakage concerns

*Self-contained design w/end seal prevents damage due to chain “grime”

*Pushrod rides on precision ball bearing to eliminate galling due to siezed clutch bearing adjustable pushrod pivot allows for modified clutch design

*Built-in stop prevents clutch damage due to pushrod over-travel

While it is apart always check the throwout bearing on the clutch side, inspect the pushrod for defects, inspect the internal pushrod bearings, replace the o-rings, inspect and clean the clutch plates, and grease the pushrod ends."

[qqqqqqqman]

I believe the 30.5mm is 33% clutch pull reduction and the 28.5mm is 29% clutch pull reduction...not much difference, but I'd go for the 30.5mm

.



Actually, the Evoluzione site says "over 20%" for the 28.5mm.....and "over 35%" for the 30.5mm one....so likely a noticeable diff.


Damn, now I'm wondering when my bike will develop a problem :kicknuts


**

[1st Duc]

Quid-pro-quo Arnie?

Thanks for the info Mark... looks like a good deal...No, I have about 1500 miles on my clutch slave and I've noticed ZERO problems. God forbid something should happen (knock on wood) I'll check the bearing, but I can't imagine every single late model Ducati has a bad bearing. On the contrary, late model Ducati's are known for having leaky OEM slave cylinder units...which is why aftermarket companies like STM, Evo, MPL, etc. sell the better designed slave cylinders.

This is quoted from Motowheels' (site sponsor) website regarding their evoluzione designed slave cylinder unit:

"This is one of the "must do" modifications to all late model Ducatis. The Evoluzione designed large bore billet slave cylinder reduces the lever effort and leaking problems of the OE unit. You will wonder why Ducati did not use this design in the first place...

Fits all Ducati 6 speeds and some late model 5 speeds with the non-integrated external slave cylinders. Available in five colors: Black, Silver, Red, Deep Gold, and Light-Gold.

This slave cylinder is basically the same as the evo kit--but does not include the disposable bleeder bottle and extra bleeders. This kit is designed for the experienced mechanic or professional with hydraulic bleeding tools such as a "Mighty Vac". This kit does not include a bleeder cup or additional banjo bleeder fittings. If you have a bleeder tool, this is the kit for you. If you don't have any bleeder tools: See our "Billet Clutch Slave Cylinder: Evoluzione kit" for the complete kit with bleeder cup and extra banjo bleeders. Or just add a single banjo bleeder from the options list to make bleeding easier with this kit and save the price of the bleeder bottle.

*Three (3) separate piston seals eliminate leakage concerns

*Self-contained design w/end seal prevents damage due to chain “grime”

*Pushrod rides on precision ball bearing to eliminate galling due to siezed clutch bearing adjustable pushrod pivot allows for modified clutch design

*Built-in stop prevents clutch damage due to pushrod over-travel

While it is apart always check the throwout bearing on the clutch side, inspect the pushrod for defects, inspect the internal pushrod bearings, replace the o-rings, inspect and clean the clutch plates, and grease the pushrod ends."

[Notorious DSB]

I sent off a service inquiry to Spectrum on Sunday but they won't be back to work until tomorrow so we'll see. I already ordered a 30mm EVO clutch slave and I am going to do the bearing as well because like Arnie said, if the bearing is defective, the slave won't cure the problem, it'll just cure the symptom for now without going to the root, in a similar vein when you compare Western and Eastern medicine.

I wanted the EVO clutch slave anyway for the effort reduction so that wasn't the main point, I just don't like the clutch slipping like that. It was ridiculous how bad it got on the way home.

Anyway, the EVO clutch slave should be here in 2 days so I will probably schedule my service sometime late this week or maybe I will miss out on Saturday's ride, who knows. Can't very well ride with the clutch like that anyway, right?

[IcePick06]

If you guys read the last part that I posted from the Motowheels' site you will notice that they specifically mention that whoever installs your slave cylinder should inspect the throwout bearing anyway and replace it as necessary. This means that if the throwout bearing is bad, it will be replaced anyway so that cancels out that problem from ever popping into the equation again should your clutch act up in the future. Also some slave cylinders need to be bled on separate occasions to completely get ALL of the air out of the system (i.e. install, ride and bleed 2 weeks after installing). Also, the o-ring seals need to be replaced as the original ones will be corroded anyway from the highly corrosive brake fluid.

"While it is apart always check the throwout bearing on the clutch side, inspect the pushrod for defects, inspect the internal pushrod bearings, replace the o-rings, inspect and clean the clutch plates, and grease the pushrod ends."

[Notorious DSB]

Who installed your slave, Mark? I was thinking of Spectrum since they'll have my bike apart already for the clutch bearing inspec tion anyway, might as well do it all at once.

[IcePick06]

Who installed your slave, Mark? I was thinking of Spectrum since they'll have my bike apart already for the clutch bearing inspec tion anyway, might as well do it all at once.

I had Spectrum install mine...Eric Galles was the mechanic that worked on it. STM and Evoluzione are the most popular ones since those are the only ones sold in the U.S., but I got a good deal on this German made MPL-tuning parts unit (they are hugely popular in Europe, and slowly trickling into the U.S.). http://www.mpl-tuningparts.de/english/welcomepage.html

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2847/mplzc8.jpg

[Notorious DSB]

Haven't seen that one. I went with the 30mm GOLD Evo since I had the same on my Aprilia. I like Gold. Gold is my friend. Gold makes the world a better place.

[IcePick06]

Haven't seen that one. I went with the 30mm GOLD Evo since I had the same on my Aprilia. I like Gold. Gold is my friend. Gold makes the world a better place.

The MPL comes in lots of colors...silver, black, gold, red (mine), and blue.

[1st Duc]

Mark, 159.00 a good price? and they dont say what size 28 or 30, are they all the same?

[Notorious DSB]

Mark, 159.00 a good price? and they dont say what size 28 or 30, are they all the same?

Negative. The 30mm costs about $30 more for 15% more effort reduction. I'm getting the 30mm for a bit less than your quote.

[1st Duc]

ok Will, hook-a-brutha-up... you holdout...

[Notorious DSB]

Sorry, brutha, no-can-do unless you get yourself a competition license and get some credentials behind your name so the companies have an incentive to give you "racer" pricing. Told you to take it to the track!

[1st Duc]

ahh chit, looks like there getting my 180...

[1st Duc]

Ok Will and I have appt., 9:00 at SPECTRUM replace bearing and install evo clutch slave. Any of you guys want to meet us after for lunch... and Arnie I'm throwing your name around like crazy to get good service.

[IcePick06]

Mark, 159.00 a good price? and they dont say what size 28 or 30, are they all the same?

$159 is a pretty good deal. I paid $145 shipped for mine. I got a great deal considering these go for $200+ in Europe and on most websites that do sell them in the U.S. (not many) they are about $175+shipping: http://www.ducatidesigns.com/inc/sdetail/1436

The size is 30.5mm and it's the same size for all of them, so it decreases lever effort by about 33% according to the manufacturer.

[nucking_futs]

and Arnie I'm throwing your name around like crazy to get good service.

Uh oh, did I forget to tell you I owe those guys a lot of money! :badteeth

What day are you guys going?

[Notorious DSB]

Saturday at 9am. I wanted to go Sunday but Adrian said I might get pretty lonely waiting until Tuesday for them to get back.

[nucking_futs]

I'll come out and keep you guys company. And since you're all the way down here you might as well go ride Palomar afterwards!!!

[Notorious DSB]

I'll come out and keep you guys company. And since you're all the way down here you might as well go ride Palomar afterwards!!!

I am not riding Pally in my jacket and jeans. You didn't think I was going down to Pro Italia in a full suit while my bike was getting fixed, did ya?

[nucking_futs]

I am not riding Pally in my jacket and jeans. You didn't think I was going down to Pro Italia in a full suit while my bike was getting fixed, did ya?

Why not? You get double poser points for doing that.

[1st Duc]

Ditto....

I am not riding Pally in my jacket and jeans. You didn't think I was going down to Pro Italia in a full suit while my bike was getting fixed, did ya?

[1098BANDIT]

you got to test the bike once is fix, so the Palomar ride will do good I don't think anybody would mind the Squid Uniform.

[Notorious DSB]

Just got back! Had a great time down there. 1stAnt and I met up in La Mirada and rode down there, got our bikes signed over to Adrian, then went on the Aprilia Demo Days Ride which just so happens to start at 10am.

Then Arnie came and we had lunch and then Mark came and had some Jamba Juice. It was a pretty fun day.

We had some good stories today. Every ride with you guys is a Twilight Zone-ish laugh a minute riot!

[nucking_futs]

My stomach still hurts from laughing too much. We shoulda stopped at Captain Cream, I'm still thinking about that girl she was piping hot!

[1st Duc]

Here's my family. I am the asian guy haha.http://a13.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/00308/21/01/308091012_l.jpg

Yo yo yo! I'm in the hizzouse...he he he lol

[nucking_futs]

Yo yo yo! I'm in the hizzouse...he he he lol

LOL

[Notorious DSB]

Yo yo yo! I'm in the hizzouse...he he he lol

http://a13.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/00308/21/01/308091012_l.jpg



1stAnt, that's not you... is it? You look a lot shorter in the pic than I remember.

Where were you at? Some Import Car show or the Renaissance Fair?

:1

[nucking_futs]

1stAnt, that's not you... is it? You look a lot shorter in the pic than I remember.

Where were you at? Some Import Car show or the Renaissance Fair?

:1

Looks like K town during karaoke night. LOL

[Notorious DSB]

LOL. That can't be 1stAnt, he doesn't go to K-town. LOL. He said he only goes to the Renaissance Fair or Star Trek Convention. LOL.

[nucking_futs]

LOL. I forgot Ant lives in Monrovia. LOL.

[Notorious DSB]

LOL. I forgot Ant lives in Monrovia. LOL.

LOL. 1stAnt is hardcore into the Monrovia/Duarte lifestyle. LOL. You gots to give it up to the guy for keeping true to his roots. LOL.

LOL. If you can afford to live in his area, I definitely recommend it. LOL. I have 2 condos in Duarte myself. LOL.

LOL. You can also park a trailer there. LOL. No laws against parking your 2 bike trailer there. LOL.

[1st Duc]

hey I dont know who's picture that is... I just liked the chicks in em... all 4

i want to give them all the Shok-er

[Notorious DSB]

LOL. Shockers are great. LOL. I have 2 of them. LOL. If you got the $$$ for a Shocker, I would definitely recommend it. LOL.

:P

:)

:x

[Rhett]

I fixed the title for you guys.... :lmao

[nucking_futs]

I fixed the title for you guys.... :lmao

That is too funny!!! :crackup

[Notorious DSB]

That is too cool, R1, thanks!

[christopherr1]

1stAnt, that's not you... is it? You look a lot shorter in the pic than I remember.

Where were you at? Some Import Car show or the Renaissance Fair?

:1

Is that you will, it sure looks like you, O by the way, thanks for inviting us on saturday. I hear you almost got your ass kicked, thats why you need to role deep. Next time you feel scared or if you need a shoulder to cry on, hit my up....:limp

[Notorious DSB]

Got my EVO Slave today, anyone want to roll down Spectrums again this weekend?

[1098BANDIT]

Got my EVO Slave today, anyone want to roll down Spectrums again this weekend?


oh yea let's go and can we go to Paly after wards, to meet Gonzo and the Paly Crew? :ninja

[Rhett]

ok, how about we keep one spectrum thread?

which one needs to go? you guys pick... :lmao

or I can merge them lol

[1098BANDIT]

hey I dont know who's picture that is... I just liked the chicks in em... all 4

i want to give them all the Shok-er

I'll take one, can u share "THE SHOK-ER"?

is that ur specialty, so who are those chicks any ways??? are they Wills Friends?

[Notorious DSB]

R1, can you merge the two then but just call it like "The Spectrum Experience" or something?

[nucking_futs]

ok, how about we keep one spectrum thread?

which one needs to go? you guys pick... :lmao

or I can merge them lol

Merge please! that's going to be one long ass thread! LOL LOL LOL

[1098BANDIT]

there is only 5 pages wait until 10 pages to merge it.....

[IcePick06]

there is only 5 pages wait until 10 pages to merge it.....

Hey Julio is that your girl in your avatar?...:spank

[1098BANDIT]

is just some ramdom chick but that's a nice ass !!!!!

[ducman1098s]

As a owner of two of the three ducs I have puchased from Spectrum find some doubts of crdibility in your story. As a motor enthusiate as you advertise to be standing nest to a Ferrarri, checking the oil is sorry ( a no brainer) even for the mentally retarded, and cheap shots at a reputable dealer not cool for your lack of maintainance.
And standing next to a car with your considerably overweight body seems to verify the fact that you are Harley Country and Italian sport bikes are not for you.
Sorry I don't know the link to weight watchers, and Qback Morino is on vacation.

[nucking_futs]

As a owner of two of the three ducs I have puchased from Spectrum find some doubts of crdibility in your story. As a motor enthusiate as you advertise to be standing nest to a Ferrarri, checking the oil is sorry ( a no brainer) even for the mentally retarded, and cheap shots at a reputable dealer not cool for your lack of maintainance.
And standing next to a car with your considerably overweight body seems to verify the fact that you are Harley Country and Italian sport bikes are not for you.
Sorry I don't know the link to weight watchers, and Qback Morino is on vacation.

As much as I like Spectrum, please refrain from personal insults. They will not be tolerated here.

[ducman1098s]

And will do so, as this comment was out of bounds.

[1st Duc]

ouch!

1 point taken away from ducman1098s.

[nucking_futs]

And will do so, as this comment was out of bounds.

Thanks. Welcome to the forum btw. Were you at Spectrum today for the suspension clinic and setup?

[Notorious DSB]

As much as I like Spectrum, please refrain from personal insults. They will not be tolerated here.

Yeah, no personal attacks, no matter how true it may be! ZING!

[Sour Orange]

As a owner of two of the three ducs I have puchased from Spectrum find some doubts of crdibility in your story. As a motor enthusiate as you advertise to be standing nest to a Ferrarri, checking the oil is sorry ( a no brainer) even for the mentally retarded, and cheap shots at a reputable dealer not cool for your lack of maintainance.
And standing next to a car with your considerably overweight body seems to verify the fact that you are Harley Country and Italian sport bikes are not for you.
Sorry I don't know the link to weight watchers, and Qback Morino is on vacation.


DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMNNNN......GINA:shockbut how do you really feel and don't hold back now.

[Rhett]

I think this one has run it's course.....