2010 696 Monster Front Brake Caliper

Once again I suspect my (2010 model) 696 is trying to punish me for my years of riding it all year round in all weather and not cleaning it very often ...

This time, helpful George at Micheldever Tyres pointed out (after fitting a new PR4 on my front wheel on Saturday) that while there was plenty of meat in the brake pad on one side, the other pad in that caliper was almost down to the metal - one of the calipers appeared to be sticking.

That might explain the annoying squeak as I pushed the bike out of the garage the other day (which I'd put down to my bike having devoured yet another set of front wheel bearings - for once, it hasn't!)

My bike is now of an age and mileage where I'm reluctant to pay main dealer prices for brand new official Ducati parts. I've been quoted in the region of £250 for a new caliper if it needs one, and even if I wanted to take the risk of having to pay that if it turns out the existing caliper can't be unstuck, both Snells & Moto Rapido's workshops are fully booked for about the next 6 weeks!

Apart from the UKMOC Weekender, I've got a bike trip to France booked for early June, and then there's WDW in July. I'd really like my brakes sorted before my continental jaunts.

Can anyone recommend a source of reconditioned not-seized-up 696 brake calipers?

I found this Dutch scrapyard online (https://www.boonstraparts.com/en/parts/mke=Ducati/) which sells a variety of Ducati parts (including 696 brake calipers for 75 Euros) but there's always the risk that a second hand part could be in no better state than my existing one. Has anyone bought parts from Boonstra, or can you recommend somewhere else?

I will also need to find an independent mechanic as I don't know I can twist my other half's arm and pay him in lasagne to do this job (especially as it's not electrical)

All this is making me think I should also be on the look out for a tidy second hand 696 so that I have a spare bike for the times when something else has worn out or seized up on my current bike ... The 100,000 mile ambition still stands, but my current bike (on nearly 70,000) is not making it easy, and I do need daily transport. I contemplated buying a small commuter bike, but struggled to muster any enthusiasm, whereas if I had 2 x 696s, I'd never be disappointed on going into the garage and having to get on the second/spare bike ...

 

Thanks guys for all the helpful suggestions.

A UKMOC friend had suggested I talk to MD Racing (pretty local to where I work) although I know that not everyone on this forum has had the most positive recent experiences there, although they used to be quite good. I'll give them a call tomorrow and see what they say.

Android - that's a really kind offer. I'll PM you tomorrow (once I've spoken to MD Racing) and let you know. The (Diavel-riding!) other half normally works from home and should be around Friday and early next week, and I could probably work from home one day next week if needed. I have the 696 workshop manual on pdf, but if any specialist (as opposed to generalist) tools are needed (weird things for pushing back and retaining pistons on bike calipers), we don't have those.

 

Right now the bike is at MD Racing - phoned them at lunchtime, and although they were busy, suggested I pop by and they'd have a quick look so went round after work. Will cross my fingers that all it needs is new pads ...

 

Piston was seized. Have bought old (unseized) calipers off a UKMOC friend who upgraded the brakes on his 796, and will get them to MD to fit to my bike, rescue the (seized RH and unseized LH) ones taken off mine, and take them back to my friend who has offered to see if they can be unseized and refurbished at our leisure, if I get hold of the seal kits. All being well I should get my old bike back on the road this week.

I've just got back from a day trip to Cardiff to putting down a deposit on a not even run-in ultra low mileage 2013 model 696 (which will become my "best" bike for sunny days and tours, and for when my original one, which will retain its year round commuting ratty Ducati status, needs inevitable further work), I will have a need for 696 bits for years to come

 

Having picked up my friend's old brake calipers on Friday and got the other half to drop them at MD Racing (together with the rear brake caliper bracket off ebay) on Monday, this evening I collected my bike (now with working front and rear brakes) from MD Racing!

It has been a bit of a nailbiting week - whether I'd have a bike for the UK Monster Owners' Club Weekender at all, or have to turn up in the car - neither Andy nor I being keen on doing the whole Weekender two up on the Diavel. (I'm not due to collect Secundus - the new bike - from Cardiff until a week on Saturday, due to the need for an MOT and service first.)

Despite my landing myself and my bike on them with no notice at what is all bike garages' busiest time of the year, when they were snowed under with other jobs, the guys at MD Racing (especially Neil) came good, and got me back on the road just in time.

A massive thank you is due to MD Racing!

 

Thanks for the tip about Trevor Pope in Gosport as a source of the necessary seals for the old calipers - I'll see my friend this weekend and find out when we might be able to take a look at them.