Reviving dormant Ducati

After Christmas, I possibly only let the starter motor run a second or
two, to rotate the newly fitted belts.

So, it most likely didn't run by itself since around mid-November. Is it
then normal to expect it to be a bugger to start now?

After a couple of rounds of / starting attempt / plugs out / drying &
heating plugs / plugs in / I seem to conclude that the way to go is max
choke, no throttle, keep the starter spinning whilst praying to the
Ducati God that it eventually will catch, before the (newish) battery
goes flat.

Or - ?

 

Mine is distinctly reluctant in winter after a mouple of months of
inaction, which is why I try to run it up every month or so.

A jump-start off the car plus, in extremis, a blowlamp on the plugs
always starts it, though.

 

Yes, I did tell you about that trait, therefore it was easier to run it
every 2 weeks for about 10 mins.

A small amount of time on full choke, then 1/2.
If it does not fire after a couple of mins, leave it, go and have a cup of
tea. Take the front plug out and clean it.

Replace plug, repeat above.

After 30 mins of the cycle, put battery back on trickle charge and leave
it until the next day.

 

I was never been tempted to jumpstart it. I had to learn patient after the
1st time. But yes, warm plugs help.

I also kept a spare to swap in, I am sure that was under the seat when TS
picked it up.

 

So what's your objection to jump-starting it then?

 

Shifting the car, moving it out the garage, arsing around and then worry
that someone will have the bright idea of turning the car motor on.

I did consider hooking it to the XJR or the XJ900, but again, couldn't be
arsed.

 

Eh? I've always considered that having the donor vehicle's engine
running was a prerequisite.

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Mark Olson

No it's fine, so long as the off-side of the car is nearest the
Westernmost point of the motorcycle.

Well, in the Northern Hemisphere anyway.

 

Is that West wrt the car or the motorbike?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Ace

Yes.

 

Thanks, I'm glad that's clear.

But what happens if it's a Southern Hemisphere car, or bike, or both?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, Ace

I think I can demystify the whole Northern / Southern hemisphere thing,
and cut through any potential confusion with the simple question: "Who
cares about the Southern Hemisphere?".

 

Yes, I'll have to adjust to that, as long as the SS has me.

Hopefully that won't be necessary, if it allowed to purr for a while
evry month, then.

 

I had my Bandit jump started by the AA patrolman's flatbed lorry the
other day. At my request I add. Doesn't appear to have done it any
harm.

 

(checks)

Yes, nice & shiny NGKs.

 

Yup, already there. More like 27 ft, at halfways between the garage and
house.

 

(fishing out faint memories) . . , yes. I defaulted back to my winter
lay-up SOP, which is to change the oil and leave alone to not drain the
battery.

Thanks. I should have thought back on my XL600, which was easy to start
with _exactly_ the right amount of choke, but would leave you sweaty &
panting[1] if it got marginally too much.

I think I'll leave the battery disconnected and roll it over to the car
for the monthly purring sessions.

[1]Kick start only

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, R C Nesbit

Don't be ridiculous.

 

Which is what I am also led to believe, and I don't want to test the
theory.

 

Karma