Ducati 749 Biposto (04) Valve adjustment & belt change - Ducati.ms

JyriC · Sep 1st, 2006, 4:41 am

Hello everyone!

I am about to put my lovely Ducati to winter storage and I am also going to check/adjust valve clearances and change belts during the winter. I have some questions I hope someone who is doing maintenance himself could advice me...

- Do you have to purchace any Ducati special tools when checking/adjusting valve clearances? I know that crancshaft turning tool helps but others?

- Can you just make your own marks to timing belt rollers on heads because there isn't any? Is there one on lower roller (i remember there should be?)?

- Why changing new belts affects timing or does it? I am just wondering how the new tool (the one which locks camshafts) works which Ducati uses when tightening belts...

- What method are you using to set belt tightness on Testastretta?

Thank you for your advice!

B_Cebrian · Sep 1st, 2006, 12:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JyriC

Hello everyone!

- Do you have to purchace any Ducati special tools when checking/adjusting valve clearances? I know that crancshaft turning tool helps but others?

No, I don't have any special tools. You really don't even need a crankshaft turning tool. To turn the engine. Put the bike on the rear stand, put it in gear, Pull the plugs, and use the rear wheel to turn the engine over, works great. The only other tools I use is a Twinmax carb ballancing tool to check the intake ballance. A good set of torque wrenches is recomened. The only really special tool I've found you need is a cluch hub holding tool to do clutch work. I made mine out of a set of old clutch steel plates.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JyriC

- Can you just make your own marks to timing belt rollers on heads because there isn't any? Is there one on lower roller (i remember there should be?)?

There is a TDC mark on the drive roller on the bottom. When I start I set it to TDC. Then I use some testers model paint to make marks on the cam roler to match it up to the top edge of the head. I make three marks on each left right and up. This method is discribed in the Desmo Times manual that I use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JyriC

- Why changing new belts affects timing or does it? I am just wondering how the new tool (the one which locks camshafts) works which Ducati uses when tightening belts...

No, it dosn't the belts do not stretch enough to make any real diffrence. Once you get the new belts on you should remove the cam holding tool (Which I don't use, I have a friend with big hands.) prior to tentioning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JyriC

- What method are you using to set belt tightness on Testastretta?

Last time I used a guitar tuner to set the tighness, I don't have my notes with me here, but I think it was 250mhz+/-20 but I'm not sure. Worked fine. There are a bunch of diffrent ways to set this tension. I'm now of the opinion as long as it's not over tight it's not that big a deal for the average rider. Best of luck, I've found taking a weekend to do the maintainance is great therapy

JyriC · Sep 4th, 2006, 2:14 am

Thank you for great help. I will start servicing my duc soon, I believe too servicing bike by myself is great theraphy.

Sam916 · Sep 4th, 2006, 2:49 am

terve Jyri!

(Of topic)

So you are going to put your Ducati in for the winter already, no more track sessions at Alastaro or Ahvenisto?

Sam

JyriC · Sep 4th, 2006, 2:16 pm

Terve Sam (also offtopic),

Yes, I am unfortunately going to put my lovely bike to winter storage... I have to spend all the time I can with our little baby and I also have another time consuming project at the moment, so no more trackdays this year

Anyway it was very nice indeed to ride this summer at Alastaro, the weather was very good (no rain).

Are you going to do some modifications to your beautiful 916? It is perfect as it is of course, but some special parts allways add some nice finishing touch to a Ducati. I am going to install STM cluch slave cylinder, single seat fairing and maybe some NCR titanium parts too if I can get some from Italy on november. Please let me know if you are modifying your Ducati, it is allways nice to hear about local Ducatisti!

- Jyri -

Sam916 · Sep 5th, 2006, 2:16 am

I have some modifications on my short list;

1. A new steering damper, I will start looking in october - november on the german E - bay for one.

2. A rear hugger - I' m fed up with the fact that the rear tire keeps banging stones etc on the rear shock absorber...

I will keep you updated,

take care

vtwin · Sep 5th, 2006, 7:29 am

I got my rearhugger from carbonworld.de (made by ilmberger), very good quality.

I also have used carbon airrunners, if you are interested, _no_ turnsignal holes.

JyriC · Sep 6th, 2006, 1:30 am

Hi Vtwin,

how much are you asking for these air runners? My friend crashed his 748R at Alastaro and he needs new ones... please contact me with pm if you still have those... you can contact me in moottoripyora.org asswell.

Sam,

I have also ilmberger hugger on my 749 and quality is awesome.

- Jyri -

tuomas996 · Sep 7th, 2006, 1:57 am

OT
Lots of Finns here! Just got my new Ohlins R&T- fork installed to my 996.. Feels like heaven. We still have nice weather and some trackdays to ride.. Why so early ending for this season?

-t

JyriC · Sep 7th, 2006, 2:37 am

Hi Tuomas,

Pretty nice forum this is!

I want to spend some time with my small kid so I just don't have any time to ride at the moment. Fortunately I still have some time to purchace some special parts to my Ducati and during the winter I will have some time to install them too! Rare and special motorcycle parts make you smile all the time =) Btw, your Öhlins fork was very "expensive" errr... damn you I am jealous!

I am starting to look at next summer, have lots of things to do before that...