warranty - tune up

ok, did some pricing for the 600 mile tune up suggested in the owner's manual.

seemed pretty pricey (as expected)($263), but nothing on the list from the dealership was rocket science. i would like to do the tune-up myself. would this hold up with a warranty issue if i miticulously (sp?) documented everything i did and kept all receipts? same with the 6,000 mile tune up (except for valve adjustment).

please let me know if you have any experience with this. thanks.

no love??????

Not a lawyer or DNA but...
They will most likely say you voided your warranty b/c a ducati certified tech didn't do the work (techs at my local dealer are too dumb to even flunk the certification test). But it really depends on how cool your dealer is. But if you can prove the work you did, did not cause the problem legally they can not void your warranty. So if the frame cracked and you had done you 600 m inspection legally you are straight, but that doesn't mean they won't try to screw you.

Just do a google search for 'Magnuson-Moss Act'. There is days and days of legal jargon to have fun with re. warranty disputes/issues.

My bike has never been to a shop for maintenance. I've done everything myself. Your are correct that it is not rocket science. If you're a decent mechanic, and are used to doing your own work, there a lot of resources on the web that can help you with the things that may be new to you. Like the Desmo valves, for example. There are not the black magic some would have you think, but they do take a little more attention and finesse than a regular valve adjust. The rest of the bike is just that, a regular bike. We have our quirks, but nothing too much out of the ordinary.

Warranty claims... I have kept every receipt and have had two claims on the bike since I've owned it (new in 2001). One was the front master cylinder which leaked, and one was a broken wire in the ignition switch harness which I troubleshot and temporary/emergency repaired before bringing it in. Both items were replaced without question. I guess if you had just claimed to have done the valve maintenance and you were bringing it in for a trashed cam or something, you may have a problem. Otherwise, if your a competent wrench, and can show you've done the work in a decent "workman like" manner, they pretty much have to honor the warranty. Or at least it wasn't a problem with me and the dealer I was using at the time.


Modified by redduck at 1:13 PM 2/10/2005