Started the 15k mile service on the Ducati. Updated: Job done!

[JulesMaximus]

Took me a good hour just to get to this point and I haven't even started on the valves or belts. 15k service requires an oil change, valve adjustment and replacing the timing belts.

Update: JOB DONE!

The moment of truth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r8HgNt1ZpM&feature=youtu.be

 

[ballmode]

Thumbs up

 

[JulesMaximus]

The deconstruction continues.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Wow, very nice. Why does the timing belt need to be changed so early?

 

[NutBucket]

Because it's Italian! Duh!

Similarly, I think the belt interval on a 944 turbo was something like 30k.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Wow, very nice. Why does the timing belt need to be changed so early?

The timing belts probably don't really NEED to be replaced but I'm going to stick to Ducati's service interval set for my bike and replace them anyway. They cost me $86 for the pair, (there is one belt for each cylinder). I am also replacing the spark plugs and changing the oil. I'm going to drain the oil today and get started on measuring the valve clearances.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My drawer of Ducati specific tools and the belts/plugs.

Timing belts

 

[AMCRambler]

Definitely Italian hehe. You'd think if you had to change them every 15k they'd be easy to get at but nah. I suppose it technically they are easier to get to because on any other Italian machine the instructions start with drop the motor.

Respect to Jules for doing it himself though.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Definitely Italian hehe. You'd think if you had to change them every 15k they'd be easy to get at but nah. I suppose it technically they are easier to get to because on any other Italian machine the instructions start with drop the motor.

Respect to Jules for doing it himself though.

Thanks, after looking at it again I think I'm going to have to remove the exhaust to get the belts off.

 

[AMCRambler]

Thanks, after looking at it again I think I'm going to have to remove the exhaust to get the belts off.

What does the dealer charge to do the service? Starting to sound like it might be worth the money. The header pipe has to come off or just the slip ons?

 

[JulesMaximus]

What does the dealer charge to do the service? Starting to sound like it might be worth the money. The header pipe has to come off or just the slip ons?

At least a grand... or about 1/7th the current value of the bike.

Exhaust is off. Access is much better and this was necessary as there is a screen that needs to be removed and cleaned (part of the oiling system) as part of this service. Removing the exhaust was actually pretty easy and now I have much better access to the timing belts.

 

[manimal]

god those things actually look better after the plastics are off altogether.

Thx for the pictures!


no pointy elbows here!

 

[JulesMaximus]

I wonder how much it weighs now. :biggrin:

Plastic fuel tank.

 

[twinrider1]

Something to drool over during breaks from the deconstruction efforts. Modern performance/dependability gains are amazing, but the necessary bits and pieces that have to be tucked and packaged in every nook and cranny can be a pain.
Thank you for the pics. Always a fun time.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Because it's Italian! Duh!

Similarly, I think the belt interval on a 944 turbo was something like 30k.

I guess Ducati wants to be on the safe side. Nice looking bike, Jules!

 

[AMCRambler]

Well don't screw it up. If it's like a car and its an interference setup with the valves, it'll cost a lot more than a grand to repair.

 

[theApp]

I've suspected it's due to the smaller pulleys and distance between pulleys flexing the belts. It's not bad replacing them once you've done it once or twice. On a 916 style bike it's about an hour and a half job, no exhaust removal needs to be done though.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Well don't screw it up. If it's like a car and its an interference setup with the valves, it'll cost a lot more than a grand to repair.

It is an interference engine so if the timing is off valves will go smashing into pistons.

Everything is measured, both intake opener and closing shims were fine but on the exhaust valves both opening shims were so tight I couldn't get even the thinnest feeler gauge between them. Tolerance was effectively zero. Then on the closing shim they were both loose. I shaved down the opening shims but need to buy a couple closing shims so reassembly and belt replacement will have to wait until next weekend.

I'm off to watch a Formula One race.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Well, new belts are on. Vertical cylinder is perfectly adjusted, took longer than expected due to bonehead mistake on my part. The cylinder was not at TDC so it was impossible to get the opening rocker back on once I changed the closing shim. 2 hours later and a lot of frustration and I figured this out. Put the original shim back in, measured, got the same measurements for unloaded and loaded gap and then verified piston was at TDC on compression stroke and bam, opening rocker slipped right on easily. Put in correct shim, measured the gap and it was perfect.

Tomorrow I'm doing the horizontal cylinder and setting the tension on the belts and then it's just a matter of putting it back together and firing it up.

Man, this all seems like voodoo at first but after today I feel like a damned pro.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I thought tension was measured with a frequency monitor? Seems like I read guys were using their iphones or guitar tuners or something.

In reply to the person say just take it to the dealer - there's really something to do doing things on a bike yourself. It's a much different feeling than a car, in my opinion, when your life literally depends on the bike functioning properly. You get a sense of satisfaction that you just don't get working on a car.

Also modern ducati, even though they can be a little overly complex, are very enjoyable to work on. Even little things like electrical connectors are more solid and well thought out. Wiring is tucked in and neater.

My biggest gripe is the requirement for special tools. I also still have a drawer half full of ducati tools and I haven't owned one in 5 years.

I dunno WTF I'm going to do with a rear wheel nut tool for a 1098/1198 but damn the thing is beautiful, machined out of solid SS. Same with the steering head nut tool.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I thought tension was measured with a frequency monitor? Seems like I read guys were using their iphones or guitar tuners or something.

In reply to the person say just take it to the dealer - there's really something to do doing things on a bike yourself. It's a much different feeling than a car, in my opinion, when your life literally depends on the bike functioning properly. You get a sense of satisfaction that you just don't get working on a car.

Also modern ducati, even though they can be a little overly complex, are very enjoyable to work on. Even little things like electrical connectors are more solid and well thought out. Wiring is tucked in and neater.

My biggest gripe is the requirement for special tools. I also still have a drawer half full of ducati tools and I haven't owned one in 5 years.

I dunno WTF I'm going to do with a rear wheel nut tool for a 1098/1198 but damn the thing is beautiful, machined out of solid SS. Same with the steering head nut tool.

That's how Ducati sets the tension (they have a special tool for this that measures frequency) but most people use the 5mm allen key method. There is a website with a comparison of methods and they found that frequency was not as accurate a method of setting belt tension as the 5mm allen key method.

Hehehe, I have a drawer full of Ducati tools too. I have two rear wheel nut tools because I bought one that wasn't quite as good as the one my friend has. The point where you attach the wrench is recessed so you have to use an extension and it doesn't fit on the nut as securely as the one my friend has so I bought the Speedymoto rear wheel nut which is a much better tool. Tolerances are tighter and it fits on the nut perfectly.

I have the steering nut head tool and the flywheel holding tool (which you really do need if you want to torque the flywheel nut properly).

 

[JulesMaximus]

The moment of truth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r8HgNt1ZpM&feature=youtu.be

Quite frankly, I didn't expect it to fire up so quickly. I did prime it a couple times though by turning it on and off a couple times before hitting the start button for the first time.

Holy crap was this a time consuming job but I learned a few things and one of them is that it really helps to have a knowledgeable friend to lend a hand and bounce ideas off when things aren't going quite right.