DIY Questions - Ducati.ms

**Da_Bull** · Oct 17th, 2008, 10:50 am

As I stated in another thread I have a list of projects lined up for the next few weeks/months. I've been doing some research and wanted to get the general consensus from the DIY crowd.

Shim Kits - who's got the best price?

VDST Software - how necessary is it really? I'll drop the money ... if I can justify the expense.

Special tools - I know I need the engine turning tool, and I'm beginning to think a clutch tool is a must-have ... any input or experience here on the best supplier(s) for these things? Belt tension tool? What about a degree wheel? Preferences and input would be greatly appreciated on this particular issue.

Manuals - I've got the ridiculously convoluted Factory Manual for my bike, but is there a better text available?

My last question is more of a "while you're in there" kinda question. Since I'm going to have the valve covers off and cams out, is there anything else I should check/do over and above the standard maintenance stuff? Are there any preventative measures I can take to give the guts a longer life?

Thanks in advance, guys.

goliath1031 · Oct 17th, 2008, 11:02 am

I know I am a newbie to Ducs and this site but what r shim kits and what do they do????????????

dukepilot · Oct 17th, 2008, 11:14 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Bull

As I stated in another thread I have a list of projects lined up for the next few weeks/months. I've been doing some research and wanted to get the general consensus from the DIY crowd.

Shim Kits - who's got the best price?

VDST Software - how necessary is it really? I'll drop the money ... if I can justify the expense.

Special tools - I know I need the engine turning tool, and I'm beginning to think a clutch tool is a must-have ... any input or experience here on the best supplier(s) for these things? Belt tension tool? What about a degree wheel? Preferences and input would be greatly appreciated on this particular issue.

Manuals - I've got the ridiculously convoluted Factory Manual for my bike, but is there a better text available?

My last question is more of a "while you're in there" kinda question. Since I'm going to have the valve covers off and cams out, is there anything else I should check/do over and above the standard maintenance stuff? Are there any preventative measures I can take to give the guts a longer life?

Thanks in advance, guys.

You can get just about everything you need from Chris at www.ca-cycleworks.com or LT at www.desmotimes.com Desmotimes also has a decent 2V maintenance manual that I use along with the factory manual.

They both have the shim kits and most of the tools you'll need including the VDSTS. If you're going to install the cams yourself, you will need the degree wheel, dial indicator, and crank turning tool. A piston stop would also be nice to have. The one tool I haven't had much luck finding is the socket to remove the cam pulleys. I heard that BCM may have this special tool available at a reasonable cost but I haven't called them yet.

I think the VDSTS is a good investment at $200. You are basically paying for the cable since you can download the actual software from the Technoresearch site. Its good for TPS resets, fuel trim adjustments, and clearing the maintenance icon. You can also do data logging and some other stuff that's interesting but probably not essential. If you're going to adjust fuel trim, you should also get a gastester or wideband 02 setup. I use a Gunson gastester, its relatively inexpensive but not very sophisticated. Good enough to set your CO level though. A decent wideband setup will cost around $500 or so, depending on features.

One thing you can add is a set of MBP valve collets also available from ca-cycleworks and desmotimes. These will extend the mileage between valve checks. If you're going to pull the cams, might as well install these too.

Tools are usually a good investment and having the right tools can make the job so much easier. Have fun with your project!

**Da_Bull** · Oct 17th, 2008, 1:20 pm

Dukepilot, thanks for the reply.

I have a pair of dial indicators but I might need the locating fixture for the head and probably a pair of pins for the gauges - depending on length and shape. I also have a Snap-On portable CO machine so no worries there, either.

What do you do about belt tension? Any info on that tool, or is it a "feel thing"?

Also, do you have any recommendations on the degree wheel? LT's site didn't have one listed ... is there a Ducati-specific wheel or will any wheel do?

Thanks again for the input.

dukepilot · Oct 17th, 2008, 3:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Bull

Dukepilot, thanks for the reply.

I have a pair of dial indicators but I might need the locating fixture for the head and probably a pair of pins for the gauges - depending on length and shape. I also have a Snap-On portable CO machine so no worries there, either.

What do you do about belt tension? Any info on that tool, or is it a "feel thing"?

Also, do you have any recommendations on the degree wheel? LT's site didn't have one listed ... is there a Ducati-specific wheel or will any wheel do?

Thanks again for the input.

Any degree wheel will work, I have a motion pro but I haven't used it on the HM yet. The center of the wheel may need to be reamed to fit on the end of your crank. For belts I used the 45 degree twist method on the longest run of the belt but a much better way is to download a guitar tuner on your laptop and use a PC mike to tune your belt to the appropriate spec. I think it's between 105-110hz, but check the specs for yourself. By the way, the spec listed in the service manual is incorrect at 140hz which is too tight.

**Da_Bull** · Oct 17th, 2008, 6:10 pm

Thanks again.

Mr Hyper · Oct 18th, 2008, 3:47 am

dukepilot, you have a lot of mods there, but you didn't show us your tasty black nuts! Seriously, do you have any pics? I'm totally into pimping out my Hyper too look as good as it can/deserves to, so I'd like to see how they look. Why did you get the Nichol's crank? Does it mess up the great power delivery I love? I like the low down torque and HP, and I'd like to keep it pretty much the same, but add some midrange and upward juice. I've got the full race Termi, and thinking about the cam? Is there a thread for this, or is this one good? You just seem like you might know. It's embarassing having those little 600's pass me on the straights during a track day! I don't need to keep up with them, but I'd like to make it a more even playing field! Got any ideas, anyone?

scottysspeedshop · Oct 18th, 2008, 9:52 am

Beast r intake+hc pistons+Head work+power commander+cams+DPecu and exhaust= around 100 hp.

dukepilot · Oct 18th, 2008, 10:31 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hyper

dukepilot, you have a lot of mods there, but you didn't show us your tasty black nuts! Seriously, do you have any pics? I'm totally into pimping out my Hyper too look as good as it can/deserves to, so I'd like to see how they look. Why did you get the Nichol's crank? Does it mess up the great power delivery I love? I like the low down torque and HP, and I'd like to keep it pretty much the same, but add some midrange and upward juice. I've got the full race Termi, and thinking about the cam? Is there a thread for this, or is this one good? You just seem like you might know. It's embarassing having those little 600's pass me on the straights during a track day! I don't need to keep up with them, but I'd like to make it a more even playing field! Got any ideas, anyone?

Here is a pic of one of my nuts...

Have on on the other side too!

There are some pics of my bike at the bottom of the page here...
Hypermotard Picture Thread...

As for the flywheel. I think it enhances the power delivery, revs quicker and less gyro effect. If you ride a lot in traffic however, it might not be such a great idea as it will make the bike a little more jumpy.

As for more juice, I agree with Scotty in his post above. Even with all these expensive engine mods, a good rider on a 600 will probably still blow by you on the straights. Get an 8481098 if you want a level playing field on the track!

**Da_Bull** · Oct 18th, 2008, 2:10 pm

Forgive my ignorance of the Ducati engine management system, but here goes:

Is the PCIII really all that necessary? If I have the VDSTS and a full exhaust and cams with the ECU, can't I just tune the thing properly? From what I can tell the PCIII is a tunable piggyback module ... but isn't it kinda redundant if you have the VDSTS?