Ducati Manchester - customer service

or lack of ...

So, arranged to have the 750SS belt and valves done a this week, Jean took
it in on Sunday and when asked if it would be ready Wednesday (it was
booked in for Tuesday) was told unlikely, really busy, could not even
guarentee for the weekend.

So Jean altered her arrangements to travel to Brum on Thursday (train
instead of bike).

I got a call today saying it was ready and could I pick it up. I told them
"maybe" tomorrow morning, depending on Jean being around. Guy was a bit
snotty about shortage of space.

Jean rang them later, origionally to say we would do it 1st thing, but
once again the guy seemed to expect us to do him a favour by going out of
our way to make him some space, and pay £213ukp[1] for the privilige.

So, stuff 'em , they can wait until Friday after noon now. Its not as if
they are in a place you could get the train or bus to.

I'm not suprised they are expensive, they don't do much to build up
customer loyalty.

[1] To change the belt and do the valves [2]

[2] 'cos no one wants to do the valves

 

I know someone who knows Dukes inside-out, and runs his own business.
Do you need to use Ducati Manchester for warranty purposes, or would
you be prepared to go elsewhere?

Seriously, this guy knows shedloads about Italian bikes and working on
them..

--
Lesley
CBR600FW
SBS#11 (with oak-leaf cluster)
BOTAFOT#101A UKRMHRC#12
BONY#54P BOB#18
Real burds don't take hormones, they rage naturally

 

I'd recommend SPR Racing in Ruddington (near Nottingham) if they're
still going. They know Ducatis inside out (used to race them, hence the
name) and you might get a cuppa and a chat while they do the work, if
you've got time to hang around.

--
The From address is a spam-trap, so all replies to the newsgroup please.
{Mine} | {Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Rosso Mandello}
{Hers} | {Ducati M750 Monster}
{Ours} | {Kawasaki GPZ 500S}
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nail 'em up, I say! Nail some sense into 'em! ~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

It appears they are: http://www.sprracing.co.uk

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The From address is a spam-trap, so all replies to the newsgroup please.
{Mine} | {Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Rosso Mandello}
{Hers} | {Ducati M750 Monster}
{Ours} | {Kawasaki GPZ 500S}
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nail 'em up, I say! Nail some sense into 'em! ~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Happy to go elsewhere, I normally use Pitstop (Lowton) but Tony did did
not want to do the valves, he is happy for every thing else.

I'll shout next time it needs something similar.

 

Which bit of "Manchester" has missed you in "Ducati Manchester" ?

 

If you ever need a lift from Knutsford train/bus station up to there
during working hours-ish[1] let me know as I work just down the road.

[1] I'm about from 7AM to 4:30 PM

 

If they are inside-out they may need more than a service.

 

Sorry, I didn't spot the bit in your original post where you mentioned
that you would never, ever consider getting the Ducati serviced anywhere
but Manchester. ;-)

--
The From address is a spam-trap, so all replies to the newsgroup please.
{Mine} | {Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Rosso Mandello}
{Hers} | {Ducati M750 Monster}
{Ours} | {Kawasaki GPZ 500S}
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nail 'em up, I say! Nail some sense into 'em! ~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

That's not wildly out of court, depending on how many valves need
shimming. The belt are about £15 each, so £30, plus maybe an hour's
labour. Valve shims differ - there's a big difference in price between
the opening and closing ones - I can't remember atm which is more
expensive - and although it's only got two valves per pot, there are
therefore eight shims to check and maybe change.

I'd reckon a re-shim of a 750SS could be done by a competent mechanic
in about an hour and a half, and maybe more if several need replacing.
Remember the rear shock has to come off in order to access the rear
pot's exhaust valve. The main fairing panels also need to be removed,
although that's a quick job.

So.... maybe £60 for belts, shims and cover gaskets, at least a
couple of hours' labour at £50/hour, plus VAT...

 

Ta, but I doubt I will use them again.

 

£120 was for the belt alone !

I expected the high price, just not the piss poor attitude.

I think they are £40/hour, I'll probably visti SP's mate next time.

 

Whaa-aaaatttt?

You've been ripped off. They cost, I repeat, about £15 each.

Or less. See

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DUCATI-CAM-BELT-qty-1-M750-SS750-2001-others_W0QQi
temZ8047057044QQihZ019QQcategoryZ10448QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewI
tem

Seriously, Bruce, I'd kick up a stink.

 

Thats an ebay price,I bet they say "genuine" is more expensive

I'll moan

 

It's *not*. Not much, anyway. Like I said, genuine Ducati for the
750/900 S series (small short belts) is about £15.

The water-cooled four-valve bikes are much more expensive, mind. Just
ring any Ducati parts place and ask the price of genuine OE 750SS belts.
Last time I had mine changed they were about £14 each.

Do that.

 

Belts for the 748 are £27 each and it probably takes a bit longer.

I had the 600SS valves checked and adjusted and the belts done
with a good going over for £120 at my local independant, but that
was with the engine out.

 

Price sorted,
belt £20, + 1 hours labout
Valve check, 3 hours labour

The rest was odd and sodds + VAT.

So, sounds like I didn't pay for a competant Mechanic.

 

I dunno. Like I said, an hour and a half, plus removal and replacement
of the bodywork and rear shock - another 45 minutes or so..

Also, like I said, the cambelt replacement. So at least a couple of
hours' work.

I was blinking because I thought you were telling me you'd been charged
£120 for the cambelts on their own.

 

That is what the original said cambelt change would cost, man behind desk
was either way wrong or it gets cheaper as you get more work done