Ducatitech.com: Ducati 749/999 Timing Belt Change Part 1

[@thelonewolf1394]

Surprised that you don't use the camshaft locking tools, and loosen the cam pulleys for proper setting of tension on the belts and cam timing as per Ducati service repair instructions? I know that you can "shade-tree" it like you are doing in the video, but it isn't technically the best way to do it.

[@CaCycleworks]

Yes, absolutely, the factory method requires little interpretation. This is the point of their procedure: to limit chances of mistakes. But did the factory spec change to adjust for the difference in mass of the moving systems? No... because these are hypothetical situations. Besides, if someone were truly that worried about the exact last nth of correctness, they'd have the dealer perform all services.

[@thelonewolf1394]

@@CaCycleworks Or, they would buy the necessary tools to do the job per factory standards? Anyone who knows their way around mechanical things, especially Ducati, knows that there are "work-arounds", and that you don't always need to perform procedures per the letter of law of the manufacturer, however, it would have been prudent to list the proper procedures (and tools required) in the video, and at least properly educate the audience in the differences. Just my $.02, coming from someone who has done it both ways as a garage mechanic as well as a Ducati certified tech.

[@CaCycleworks]

@@thelonewolf1394 sure thing, make that video to instruct what you believe is the correct way and we'll link to yours.

[@OlDirtysanchez1]

Tools u will need is a Bud light lol !!

[@kevinzahra1389]

Good Work and Tutorial, have you got a Ducati Diavel Gen 2 Belt Change? Keep it up 👍

[@CaCycleworks]

No, we don't, sorry ... probably won't have access to any either.

[@MetricHotrodsdotcom]

They don't make it more complex, they make it perform better, and complexity is a by product. Ever see a dyno sheet of a 999 compared to an RC51?

[@AndyW_inUK]

A 'how to' guide has just been added to the: Ducati Multistrada 1200 Information Resource ....KZbin doesn't allow links/urls here ;-( Andy MTS1200.info

[@davidweiniger7722]

Thanks for the excellent video's Chris, even though several years old, still great! Would there be any alterations for the '06 999R or are the steps identical? thanks, Dave in NJ

[@CaCycleworks]

Probably pretty close to the same. Even though I'm forever mocked for telling people to mark the old belts, please don't skip that step. Not everyone is as great of a mechanic as those keyboard commandos... They can judge all they want, but they won't help when someone bends valves because the timing is off.

[@Xlac]

At the required tools you forget to mention that you also need a Bud Light, lol.

[@naterush5938]

"Another tool you'll need is a crescent wrench.... it's nice and crude, so that should appeal to many of our audience..."

[@CaCycleworks]

Definitely sounds like my form of sarcasm. :D -Chris

[@marcosansone7771]

Povere ducati!!! Chissà perché la ducati ha messo le pulegge regolabili...... Poteva mantenere quelle fisse.

[@desmomotodesmomoto2033]

Measuring valve lash, would measurements be different, with timing belts on, vs timing belts off? Should i measure valve lash with timing belts on or off? Thank you.

[@CaCycleworks]

The belts do not affect valve clearance... ensure each cylinder is at TDC for that cylinder. With the timing marks lined up, the forward / horizontal cylinder is at tdc. Then turn the engine forward, watch rear cylinder intake open and close, and then you can use a screwdriver to watch for TDC.

[@515moto]

I just used the video to change the belts on my S4RS. I set the horizontal cyl at TDC, then marked the cam pulleys with the seam between the head and valve cover, removed both belts and replaced with the new ones. I didn't mark the belts and I don't see any need to. What's the point of marking the belts and counting teeth?

[@CaCycleworks]

Marking dots on the old belts and transferring them to the new belts helps with ease of mind. There have been people who bent valves. None of them used the dots. It's a very easy thing to do. Me, personally, I consider small double checks to be mandatory if I'm working on someone else's bike. I do it on my own bikes because I rarely ride or work on mine.

[@reneforjanic3722]

Hi, preping to do the belt change on my 2013 848 Evo Corse and was wondering, if the proceedure is the same / similar to this? Thanks, Rene

[@CaCycleworks]

Similar-ish... I recommending checking the forums at ducati.ms for how-to posts.

[@medioman74]

hi, have you ever dealt with a multistrada 2010 timing belt change? i'm finding quite a challenge just removing the vertical timing belt cover, the frame is in the way. do you work around it or remove part of the frame? thanks

[@CaCycleworks]

I haven't worked on those (we actually don't do service) but I suspect it's a matter of trying all the different angles. Or get the service manual and they'll tell you the exact way it is supposed to work.

[@anguskangus8222]

Chris I am new to Ducati just bought a 2012 848 eve and am a little unnerved because it's just over 14,000 miles and is due for service.It is low on coolant and I can tackle that, but wow the list just goes on...How much should I expect to pay at the 15,000 mile mark?

[@CaCycleworks]

+angus kangus I advise shopping around your area to get quotes: shops will have different rates. Most dealerships have flat rates set up, while independent shops might discount if a service goes well to gain more business. Flat rates are slightly inflated to average in those times when a service doesn't go well. It's not like there's anything wrong with the bike, but sometimes every little thing that can become more difficult does... and that service can extend to twice the usual amount of time.

[@TheJudge64]

now is the bud light a must have tool for doing this or is it just an option? xD

[@CaCycleworks]

MUST HAVE. Or whiskey ...

[@DIYDanCars]

By chance will you guys have a video up for a 748? Thanks definitely will be getting a set of your belts!

[@CaCycleworks]

Take a look at our timing belt video for the 1000 motor it is a bit different, but not much. Go to you tube dot com/ cacycleworksdotcom for our channel. The videos you need are at the bottom of that page.

[@Mabbsg]

Hi. Im doing valve adjusment in my 848 sbk. With what setting on the torque wrench do you tighten the screws?

[@CaCycleworks]

Which screws? There are a few different ones. For the most part, Ducati adheres to SAE spec for steel fasteners threaded into aluminum. That makes a great starting place. Also the factory manual will have torque specs. Then where a screw isn't listed, it gives the SAE values for 5mm and 6mm fasteners.

[@CaCycleworks]

@kirkconway : I believe the point with special tools is to remove "feel" from the maintenance process so as to make Ducati service more consistent. For the at home and independent mechanics, an understanding of the process and intent is required. We do tell people to find a mechanic often. FYI, Cycleworks does NOT perform service, so my advice isn't so I can make a buck.

[@alexsbikesandmotors]

that thing about 2 years is total crap. You could leave the bike 100 years and the belts would be fine

[@gnarlyishellagnarly]

Chris, at 10:24 of your vid. you tried to rotate that intake valve pulley and appeared to stop half way thru. In my scenario, I placed the vertical piston on TDC and not "90 degrees past 90 degrees" as you state. Is that pulley not supposed to rotate 360 degrees? As if trying to align the marks and then the pulley spins past the stationary mark on the head? GOPR2862

[@gnarlyishellagnarly]

also, what would the problem be if both pistons (vert and horiz) are both at TDC. Is the crankshaft somehow screwed up?

[@Boxing-ju1es]

Is there no cam locks as on the car?

[@opmike343]

Not if the bike is going to see any kind of use. Even automobile timing belts aren't rated for that length of time.

[@ianwooloff3515]

Hi Chris could you please send me the link to the tuner software, i've bought of your belts from exactfit uk thanks in advance Ian

[@CaCycleworks]

Use nTrack Tuner from the App Store.

[@CaCycleworks]

@FunkiesLOL : I get your feeling, however the really short change interval on the belts ensures no one has a failure... it keeps us well below the bell curve of failures. A lot of people will double the miles for their own bikes, but I still recommend Ducati's factory recommended interval.

[@CaCycleworks]

ozjohnno: probably not too much unlike the new testa multistrada.

[@doca8792]

Thank you. First time Ducati owner (996s) and I tackled the belts with the help of this video.

[@515creativemedia8]

howd that turn out for you

[@christinafelton48]

what was the website for the guitar program and linux?

[@CaCycleworks]

This decade, people are using the "nTrack Tuner" app on their phones. Linux is ubuntu distribution and the guitar program is in its software center.

[@CaCycleworks]

@donger84 : no, transmission is in neutral and I use the crankshaft turning tool on the other side of the engine to turn it.

[@sbnrpd]

it is absolut necesary to change the belts to 2 years? i have a 749 and i changed them to 3000km. now i have 10.000 but i changed them 2 years ago? is any problem if i will change them at 20.000km?

[@CaCycleworks]

It's what Ducati recommends. Personally, on my own bike, I go 5 years. The real point is to not lose sleep or worry over it. Do what feels right.

[@onigiriman]

will this work on a 2007 ducati 1098? the testastretta evolution is based off this engine right?

[@CaCycleworks]

Quite similar, yes. We've had 1098 customers who agree that the 749 has the same appearance. -Chris

[@ozjohnno]

this is a great video, will it be the same for a 2010 multistrada 1200s ?

[@iannamico]

the company that makes those aftermarket belts probably makes the OEM ones too. what a racket.

[@CaCycleworks]

Actually no. There are a few dozen factories around the world who make belts. The OEM ones are made in Gates' plants throughout Europe. Except the Scrambler belt, which is identical to the OEM belt for 796, is made by Mitsoboshi in Asia.

[@CaCycleworks]

Probably required... I always worry about folks over-thinking and second guessing themselves. -Chris

[@TheThingamajig]

this is a 4 valve motor. is it the same for the air-cooled, 2 valve 750 sport or 750ss?

[@CaCycleworks]

Find our 2V belt change video in our videos section!

[@SunTheVaga]

12mm or 8mm for the nut on the tensioner eccentric ? how much mm are the tensioner eccentric 32mm ?

[@CaCycleworks]

12 is the hex size on the head and 8x1.25 are the threads. 32 sounds right... can you see it on the video?

[@peturdidriksen7234]

is it the same for the SIE 1000cc monster? 2004

[@turock101]

those belts still look in good shape

[@CaCycleworks]

Yes, Ducati's recommended change interval is very short compared to projected life span of timing belts. At one point, I estimated we change the belts between 3% and 10% of their expected life span. This keeps the belts below the bell curve of failures and prevents costly repairs. -Chris

[@artmchugh5644]

Hey man do you sell those belts ? And how much?

[@CaCycleworks]

Yes on our site ca-cycleworks.com

[@donger84]

Thank you for the vids. I assume the bike is at 6th gear while you're performing the task?

[@Sequential_Shift]

Le Nguyen he uses the crankshaft turning tool. So the bike would be in neutral. You can put it in 6th and manually turn the rear wheel to do the same thing.

[@kirkconway]

why do the italian's have to make everything so complex? seems like it's getting to be the home guy has to take it to the shop as without the right tools you cant work on it.

[@sergiodesmo8955]

Thank you Chris, this is brillant stuff. Very good indeed. I followed your instructions step by step and changed the 998 belts and pure joyce and satisfaction when pressing the start button again ! one million thanks :-)

[@tlfreek]

nice work Chris I just changed my belts using your series of videos and your 'exact fit' timing belts. You did a real good job showing how to do it. much thanks

[@tlfreek]

I should mention the only deviation I did was placing the bike in 6th gear and using the rear tire (moving it) to change engine position. That worked very well.