Thunderbike Race Prep Video 12 - Ducati 748 Fitting the timing belts

[@snakehips916]

Excellent video. There are quite a few belt change videos but yours is the one I’ve been waiting for ! 👍

[@ShelbyMustang505]

Jeepers if you own a 748, 916 or even a 996 this has got to the best resource bar non. way way better than my owners manual, Haynes manual. thanks mate

[@DesmoWerx]

Thanks C&N, glad the videos are of use to you 👍😊

[@emgeesea3983]

Great video. I was hoping you would show the tension on the belts by pushing them up and down, so for those of us without the frequency tool, and using a 5mm method, we’d have an idea of whether we got it roughly right!

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi Emgeesea, I might make a video to compare the different methods and show what differences there are to the sonic method. Watch this space. 👍😊

[@danielec3269]

Hi, thanks for the video! In the Ducati workshop manual there is nothing about that, but in many forum and websites (like ducatitech, desmodromico and much more) there is the suggestion that for checking the orizzontal belt the orizzontal piston has to be in the TCD (as you made) and for checking the vertical belt the vertical piston has to be in the TCD too, which can be abtained rotating the timing belt drive gear 135° counterclockweise. This because in the TCD the cams of that cylinder have no resistance, and I think it will equally allocate the tension along the whole belt. Did you never heard something like that?

[@DesmoWerx]

HI Daniele, You are correct, I missed showing the vertical check as I just completed parts of the build without filming it due to time. I am going to do another video on the next belt change to show the full process correctly. With the horizontal cylinder at TDC the vertical intake cam is under tension when why you should move the Vertical to TDC to measure its tension :)

[@aaronbutcher9009]

interesting videos.. I have a 916, the motor is making a horrible noise, do you rebuild theses engine's for anyone? you sound quite local as well..

[@VoyagerMoto]

Hey bud, I'm doing my belts right now. Wondering where you grabbed the 110 hz number. My 916's manual is based off the old ducati tool that uses force instead of pressure to measure. All I can find for the 110hz refference is for bikes with stretta motors.

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi, It was a general service update from Ducati way back in 2009. This covered all models for setting the belt tension via the DDS system which moved to ultrasonic measurement - at the time it omitted the 748 and ST4S but covered every other model, there are a few posts on various forums where people copied the update across The only exception I know is the 748R which has a manual spec of 98hz +/- 5Hz in 2002 issued manual (with no mention of whether this is for new or old belts) I have used the 110hz for new belts and 105hz for old belts for the last 10 years with no issues Hope that helps

[@DesmoWerx]

Here is a link to one of the posts I have just found: www.ducati-upnorth.com/forum/showthread.php?10144-Updated-Belt-tension-settings

[@VoyagerMoto]

@@DesmoWerx I appreciate the info. I've been going back and forth between trying the tuning method, or 5mm of clearance mthod as others have suggested. Since my 916 won't be taken to the races, I'm thinking it might be ok without.

[@DesmoWerx]

I think in a later video I may carry out the 5mm method and see what frequency that measures out at. Good luck with your 916 build :)

[@apehanger46]

Just doing the new belts on my 748. All fitted no problems, all turning over and tensioned to 110Hz using the Courroies S/W. All seems fine but when I turn over the motor a few times and check again with H and V cylinders in the correct TDC position I get different readings, 115, 107, 104 and it varies every time the motor is turned over and set into the right position. Your setup shows virtually no change except for a small tweak. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? :)

[@DesmoWerx]

Are those readings on one belt or across both belts, are you getting consistent readings at all? Also what is the temperature where you are fitting the belts?

[@apehanger46]

@@DesmoWerx I'll have to check the temp for an exact measurement generally I'd say around room temperature. In terms of different readings they were examples across both belts once I had both set to 110Hz. Seems that turning over the engine back to correct TDC I'll get different measurements and then hit back on 110/111Hz. Further revolutions then give different readings. I'll check exact temp of garage.

[@apehanger46]

To answer the other question re: am I getting consistent readings at all. If I set up at 110hz and leave it alone it gives me 110 all day long. Once engine is turned over and back to TDC I’m getting different readings.

[@apehanger46]

Garage temp is 60 degrees F.

[@DesmoWerx]

@@apehanger46 if the readings are consistent at the new value then its the stretch in the belt and I would check again after 100 miles, the service limit is 70hz in use so I would run the belt and see what it comes back at, just don't rev the nuts off it until you have checked the running tension. I have had belts where the reading was inconsistent at installation but okay in use. Was the belt genuine or aftermarket?

[@BladeBarn]

how much power did this motor make?

[@FERNANROLLER]

Near 100 HP.

[@DesmoWerx]

This bike ran at 99.6 bhp after Dyno set-up - Its a strong number for a 748 👍😊 This is from a pre-build 93bhp on the same dyno

[@gman3725]

Hey, I’m wondering if you’d be willing to compare using your frequency tool with an iPhone app that measures frequency? It would be useful to know if an app would work.

[@DesmoWerx]

HI G Man, will be making such a video when the ST2 project is over 👍😎

[@gman3725]

DesmoWerx Thanks!! Looking forward to it. Love the videos....super informative!

[@jamesollier2048]

Off the subject but why would you disconnect the air pressure sensor !!!!

[@robvanspijk]

Hi there, great videos. Very helpful. Have bought a 748 where I want to do the timing belts. Do you use the genuine or aftermarket belts? And what about gaskets brands. Curious about your experience. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@DesmoWerx]

Hi R. Spijky - I use Dayco, Gates belts or OEM for the 4V engines, gasket brands I use are either Athena or OEM. Not had an issue with any of these brands during my time.

[@robvanspijk]

@@DesmoWerx Do you have a great address or helpful shop to order? I find it difficult to find a great Ducati shop for parts. Maybe because not much people do the maintenance by themselves.

[@trevor1200]

Nellie ciao, I've a couple of question about belt change, can you help me?

[@DesmoWerx]

Sure Trevor, what help do you need?

[@trevor1200]

@@DesmoWerx I sent you an email