Just checked the belt tension..... - Ducati.ms

jpgibson · Dec 26th, 2008, 9:14 pm

using the 5mm gap( or Allen key) for the horizontal and 6mm for the vertical method.
Vertical cylinder right on.Horizontal had no movement at all.ie bad
Fixed up easily with help form google ( www.ducatisuite.com).
The bolts on the adjusters are meant to be torqued to 45-55 Nm - I chickened out at about 41-> I thought the bolts were going to pull a piece of the cylinder with it.The guy from the above website had an educated guess at 30Nm.
The more I look at this bike, the less I feel inclined to take it to a dealer for routine maintenance ( maybe the valve clearances , as I couldnt be arsed fiddling that much).Overall, it seems VERY easy to work on.
Once again , I love my HM.
( I'll start composing the post " I wish I had tightened those belts more..." now)
EDIT: note to self: read the f*ing manual more clearly next time.The correct tension is 26 Nm on the mobile screw and 20 on the fixed---guess what ? Yep I snapped the top of the mobile screw off.What a fucking idiot. Now hopefully there's enough protruding to get it out- otherwise it'll be easyouts or worse.
I cant believe my own stooopidity. Lucky my wife's not here or I'd never hear the end of it.
Note to self#2: if it aint broke , DONT F*CK WITH IT.
out

jonathan

jpgibson · Dec 27th, 2008, 2:18 am

hi me , its me.
well, you can be lucky sometimes
vice grip to remainder of bolt-> out she came.
thankyou god of ducatis.
now I just have to get new bolts ( given Ive torqued the remaining 3 within a Nm of their life.
out
jonathan

08hyper · Dec 27th, 2008, 2:33 am

1. I feel your pain!

2. I'm glad you had "GOOD LUCK" in getting out the broken bolt!

3. We've all made stupid mistakes, BIG & small ones!

4. Your right, your lucky your wife's not there!

LOL,

Aloha Alex

Treadmarks · Dec 27th, 2008, 7:01 am

I popped my covers and took a look at the belts and thought they were way too loose. Searched this forum and googled some others and found the 5/6 mm allen thing. Went outside to tighten and adjust and found that even tho they looked loose as sheit, I could barely get the allens in. Left alone...

I still want to see them when the engine is hot, just to make sure.

debby · Dec 27th, 2008, 10:08 am

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the 5mm allen key trick was for the old 900 2V motors. Your belts are now too loose (although some people say it's not that critical).

The DS motors run the belts tighter and are spec'd harmonically not by deflection.

Grab a beer or two, do search on "belt tension", and settle in for a few hours of reading...

Debby

jpgibson · Dec 27th, 2008, 1:37 pm

yeh, shouldve done my research first!It seems people who have used harmonic method get about 3 mm between belt and fixed roller.I suspect what Ducati have done is used newer belts ( with kevlar) and tightened them more in an attempt to allow longer service interval.
As stated before, the vertical had the right amount and the horizontal none.As the belts dont really stretch, that one prolly gets pretty tight when the engines hot.
I'd prefer a bit loose than too tight.
Anyway,hopefully I can get the bolts today.
Mine was a classic case of not " measure twice , cut once"
jonathan
At least I didnt either thread the cylinder or snap the bolt in there.Phew.

debby · Dec 27th, 2008, 4:49 pm

I checked my belts on the GT recently and used the allen wrenches just for fun. Horizontal cylinder was at 3mm and the vertical was 5mm. I haven't tried checking them with a sound card yet. I suppose I should.

I tend to think a little loose is better than a little tight as well. I suppose I should snug up the vertical belt but the bike runs fine as is.

Debby

jpgibson · Dec 27th, 2008, 6:40 pm

all back together.on the advice of my dad ( a metallurgist) I changed all the four bolts- as its sunday, not with ducati ones.Anyway, all good.
Right ho, my wife can come home now.
jonathan