Bimota DB4ie belt change. - Ducati.ms

polyesterpig · Oct 9th, 2007, 5:37 pm

It is possible to change the belts without lowering the engine. All I had to do is grind abount 3/8 inch off of a Sears allen wrench to get to the 2 top vertical belt cover bolts. Once the tension was off of these two bolts, I just spun them with my fingers.

Two reasons I purchased the DB4IE is because it is light and the 2V air cooled V-twin is simple to work on. I prefer to do my own work. If I had to drop the motor to change the belts, it would have gone on ebay. WHEW! That would of been an expensive test ride.

dnovo · Oct 9th, 2007, 7:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by polyesterpig

If I had to drop the motor to change the belts, it would have gone on ebay.

Put that beauty on ebay just because you might have had to work at it a little harder? Kinda like telling Charlize Theron to get out of your bed because she refused to help you change the bedsheets the next morning! Dave (aka, Hammer's Dad, and yes, before you say anything, Mom said its okay as long as its Charlize, but only Charlize.)

froryde · Oct 9th, 2007, 10:40 pm

Speaking of easy to work on, Dave, how was the SB6? I haven't done any work yet, but I've heard that it's a nightmare to work on, such as dropping the motor even just to get to the plugs?!

Any insights on working on / living with the 6 would be great. Thanks!!

Phil

dnovo · Oct 10th, 2007, 8:21 am

Well, to tell the truth, everything you heard about the SB6 is true. Maintenance was a bitch. The two tiny batteries up behind the steering head are a nightmare to get at, and crap out easily. (The SB6R addressed many of the maintenance issues on its half brother, the battery is a 'normal' one and located back by the airbox for ease of access.) And yes, wait until you need to work on the carbs, let alone the rest of the engine. The carbs on the 6R require you to pull the tank to work on them, like many newer sport bikes, but you don't need to disassemble the bike for routine work, again unlke the older model.

Sorry, but this time it ain't an urban myth, its true. Dave

froryde · Oct 10th, 2007, 11:16 am

Doh!!

ZAWA · Oct 10th, 2007, 11:49 am

Froryde, Hate to interrupt, most things should be fairly easy on the SB6. Once the bodywork is off, the tank and airbox are no problem. Carbs are in the open so jetting and balancing should be easy. Sparkplugs also should be no problem. Valve adjustments you will have to tilt or drop the motor, as well as for work on the clutch. Dropping the motor or tilting it is not as had as you would think, and allows much better access to work on things also better vision. It really makes the job quicker and safer for you as well as engine. The front sprocket also looks like fun. Overall for a four cylinder bike about average.

polyesterpig · Oct 10th, 2007, 1:40 pm

[QUOTE=dnovo] Kinda like telling Charlize Theron to get out of your bed because she refused to help you change the bedsheets the next morning! QUOTE]

Who is Charlie Theron? I don't know who this guy is? I don't get to watch much TV due to 3 out of control kids, a wife that wants the kitchen finished and a fish that will probably live longer than me.

P.S. I would of kept the DB4 even if I had to tilt it for a simple belt change. It is a very simple and fun bike.

dnovo · Oct 10th, 2007, 5:51 pm

[QUOTE=polyesterpig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnovo

Who is Charlie Theron? I don't know who this guy is? I don't get to watch much TV due to 3 out of control kids, a wife that wants the kitchen finished and a fish that will probably live longer than me.

It's CharliZe not Charlie. She is one of the most beautiful, sexy, etc women on earth. Tallish, slender South African-born blonde. As in THE DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, as in THE ITALIAN JOB (remake); etc, etc including AEON FLUX, a candidate for the worst movie ever made -- right up there with DEMOLITION MAN and JUDGE DREDD, another movie made from a comic book. Plus they had her dye her hair black, yuck, almost enough to keep me from watching it on cable. Almost, but not enough, and it did cut down slightly on my drooling. Do a google on her, and she can eat crackers or anything else she wants in this dirty old man's bed anytime she wants. I have written permission from my wife of 30+ years, although I am not exactly expecting her to show up at the door.

I always tilted the motor forward on the SB6 as getting to the carbs for any major work was a pain. Clearly not a maintenance friendly as the 6R. Dave

froryde · Oct 11th, 2007, 6:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZAWA

Froryde, Hate to interrupt, most things should be fairly easy on the SB6. Once the bodywork is off, the tank and airbox are no problem. Carbs are in the open so jetting and balancing should be easy. Sparkplugs also should be no problem. Valve adjustments you will have to tilt or drop the motor, as well as for work on the clutch. Dropping the motor or tilting it is not as had as you would think, and allows much better access to work on things also better vision. It really makes the job quicker and safer for you as well as engine. The front sprocket also looks like fun. Overall for a four cylinder bike about average.

Thanks for the info. That sounds a bit more reassuring (I admit I'm not much of a mechanic!) although I don't have any illusions of it being easy. Guess I didn't really do my homework before buying the bike!

Well, if it proves to be too much, I guess it'll be on Ebay (might be sooner than later as I'm trying to score a DB4c Corse Limited Edition).

dnovo · Oct 11th, 2007, 8:46 am

Say, your note says that "I'm trying to score a DB4c Corse Limited Edition?" That's a new one on me. Bob Smith, the US importer, set up several carbed DB4s with Corse exhausts and some extra Corse parts, including flat slides, etc. I have one of those models, but I was not aware that this was sold as a "DB4c Corse Limited Edition" nor have I heard that phrase before. Are we talking about the bike I have, or is there a different model out there? Please advise, or if anyone else has some information on this, please feel free to chime in. Dave