Hi Chris,
Sounds like you have a Friday afternoon engine there, I suggest you follow up and get the motor replaced (I thought Dukes didnt have barrels, just bored out head?)
Just to make you smiles tho', I had a CBR600 a couple of years ago, brand new! After the first ride in the rain the centre stand rusted up and after its first trackday the regulator expired frying the dash and headlight. The thing was a pig to start and then a kid ran out in front of me as the hairdryer thing swept down the road. I swapped it for the Noisy Duke and never looked back. My Duke has been totally relaible never missing a beat and going strong after loads of mods and half a dozen trackdays; and hey what makes you feel better riding Honda or Ducati!!
Andy
[Edited on 18-10-2003 by andys 900ss]