How to Change Ducati Cam Belts | Back in the Garage | Ducati Monster

[@marka.hemingway2087]

2 CRITICAL steps NOT mentioned in the video, although they might be posted in the comments above somewhere... Failing to perform these can likely end up in a trashed motor-- FYI for anyone who doesn't know. 1) Mark the belt and the gear on the side opposite the tensioner, count the teeth, and transfer these marks to your new belt. Make sure the marks don't end up on the wrong side of your new belts. If tooth count is off by even one tooth, you're going to have problems. Each add'l tooth increases the chances and severity of catastrophic failure. 2) Rotate the motor, BY HAND, 2 full crankshaft rotations to ensure nothing binds, no valves contact pistons, cam gear teeth are in correct positions, etc. Do NOT use the cam gears in any way to do this, it must be done at the crankshaft in the proper direction. These two steps won't take long, and help to ensure your intended "maintenance" doesn't become the unintended cause of death for your motor.

[@luisantolafrancis519]

There is another way to check the tension in the drive belts . Its pasing thru the roller of the tensioner a series of allen wrenches between the roller and the belt 5 mm is ok. 6 mm is too loose and 4mm or less is too tight .

[@RSchannel777]

That seems like a much more accurate method

[@Drakos99]

nice vid, i love the back to basic old school way of doing things, you have just demonstrated, requiring no fancy special tool and microphones and lap tops and what not. i just bought a quite scruffy old multistrada 1000ds and i have no idea when the belts were last done and i have looked on here for tips and nearly every vid shows fancy crank turning tools to get the marks lined up and i was wondering why they didn't do exactly what you did, just put it in gear and rotate the back wheel, and then when it comes to tensioning they all show going by frequency with some computerised gadget or an app on your phone or whatnot, such a relief to find someone confirm exactly what i was wondering, cam belts have been around on ducatis since the 80s with the pantah, and no one even had computers then let alone computerised microphone gadgets to 'tune' their cambelts to a given number of hertz! i've been looking for someone to show the old fashioned back to basics way to do it, thanks you! will order my belts now and do it exactly the same way!

[@2WR]

Congrats on the picking up the 1000ds and yes, my methods may not be as fancy but they are effective. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@edwardmedeiros5464]

Great video.. bought the service manual and all the cam locks crank rotation tool and truthfully didn't need it .. follow your instructions and used a HZ tester.. you made it look easy and it actually was

[@2WR]

Glad to hear it helped!

[@flynlowred695monster5]

Thank you for this video. It’s not a very technically challenging job but it sure gets the heart pounding at the moment of truth. I was scared as hell in a good way but now it feels amazing to have done it myself.

[@2WR]

Glad you hear you got it done yourself. The money saved will buy a lot of gas for the bike!

[@flynlowred695monster5]

2 Wheeled Rider thanks man! I’m going to attempt checking the valves in fall and possibly shin if needed. Thanks again.

[@ducducgoose989]

Flynlow Red 695 Monster I am thinking of doing my monster as well. Was it really as easy as it looked?

[@Charlie-vj7cr]

GREAT VIDEO . HAVE A 2004 DUCATI MONSTER 1000 SIE WITH 15000 MILES GOT IT FROM MY TOW YARD,I WILL TRY AND CHANGE THE BELTS MY SELF. ONE MORE QUESTION ON THE OIL CHAMGE WHATS THE ALLEN FOR THE OIL PLUG

[@samj1185]

I wondered for a second what Starbuck was doing in a garage? Nice vid, informative.

[@gustwowheeling7337]

Excellent how to change cam belts video! You and Angela be safe.

[@2WR]

Thanks Gus. They weren't too big of a pain to change.

[@grahamseward1388]

Great video, very helpful, going to attempt mine on my S2r now !

[@charlieryan1736]

Great Video, you make it look so easy & you saved your sister a lot of money doing that service for her nice job

[@grahamseward1388]

Did you do the valve clearances ?

[@jjhearn8015]

I’m fixing to change my belts. Is there any practice for keeping the vertical alignment true, Other than being careful?

[@RSchannel777]

Could you reply as I want to know how to check the valves on a ducati? What tools, how to make sure you do it right?

[@2WR]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJDdep5rqM51opI

[@ducducgoose989]

Man you made it look so easy. I think I’m gonna go for it! Is it really that easy? I’m shocked over how expensive it is to do this at a dealership and here you go doing in minutes like it’s nothin! 😎

[@2WR]

It’s that easy. Just takes a little some.

[@ryanvallieu594]

huh - we've always done the 5mm hex fit tension method - never heard of the 45 degree flex check. What manual was that in? We have the LT Snyder DesmoDue maintenance manual.

[@KyleCook]

I am in the market for a Ducati and was wondering the difficulty of checking the valve timing, it was mentioned in this video but that footage wasn't shown. Before I dive head first I wanted to make sure I could do much of the maintenance the bike would require.

[@2WR]

Kyle, are you talking about the valve clearance?

[@KyleCook]

@@2WR 0:51 - check the valve clearance! That is what I was wanting to check out :-)

[@jimccc9467]

Did I miss the valve adjustment part?

[@AndyQuinn748]

Picked up a 04 620 yesterday with 14k and on original belts I think. I'm gonna pull the cam covers off before I spin the motor over. Thanks for the video guys. Andy Quinn, Ireland.

[@2WR]

Get those belts changed ASAP!

[@cm-kl2wx]

I have a 2006 Monster 1000...would the procedure and belt tensioning information be the same? Regards to all!

[@2WR]

All the air-cooled belts are pretty much the same. You can also tension it based on harmonic pitch (should be in the manual). I think there are even a few apps for it on the phone if you don't have the tool.

[@RSchannel777]

I would have liked to have heard that baby start up. Also I'm glad it appears to not be overwhelming to change those belts. I don't know if other bikes that have that same configuration, so I'm thinking it's just extra work. But I don't know ducati's either. Anybody want to comment on reliability that would be nice, meaning someone who's had one of these bikes for like 5 or 10 years

[@2WR]

Ducati's are the only brand I'm aware of that uses this setup on nearly all of their bikes. My sister's Monster is an 02 and she's had no engine issues. I had an air-cooled 620 Multi and no issues on it either. As long as the maintenance is performed, these engines last a long time.

[@RSchannel777]

@@2WR excellent. Thanks for the reply

[@hunkkwoizer6653]

who knew 5 mins can be life saver...... g8 bro

[@taffyboy07]

Great vid Mario, I wish a belt & plug change really did take 5 mins, keep up the good work 👍

[@2WR]

Thanks. Definitely not a 5 minute job but much easier than I expected it to be. Also can rest much easier knowing it's got fresh belts.

[@mooseyman74]

Good video 👍🏻 glad my local ducati dealership didn't answer the phone today when I rang to book a belt change

[@Mabbsg]

i'm afraid because dealership doing it with device which cost like $3000, and we doing it with smartphone app, it is safe for my bike? - I'm doing everything in my bike, like valve adjustments etc. but really afraid. THANKS for answer

[@2WR]

Matt, there's a little room for variance that's not going to junk the valve train. That said, if you don't feel comfortable have an expert do it.

[@WadeBarmby]

Hey Guys. Great video. Just bought a 2003 Ducati Monster 400 and will be doing a service on it myself. Oil, filter, plugs etc but as I don't know when the belts were last done this video has inspired me to give that a go as well. Do you know if it would be much different for the 400? Keep up the good work!!

[@2WR]

All the air cooled L-twins are gonna be the same

[@themrwinston9570]

How many teeth on the belt between each pulley? Or does it not matter?

[@2WR]

Doesn't matter.

[@stevieg7403]

The easiest cam belt change I’ve seen, excellent!!

[@2WR]

Easy to change the belts on this thing than the timing chain on a CRF100

[@t88byrd]

I just found an Ducati monster on base here in Hawai'i. It's probably been sitting four 4 or 5 years, what do you recommand I do first?

[@2WR]

I'd change the belts, check the valves, check the battery, change the oil/filter, check the air filter and check the plugs first (if it's an older carbureted model, I'd pull those and clean them as well). Once that work's done it should be running pretty well. I'd also change the brake fluid, check the brake pads, check all the bearings, inspect the chain/sprockets before doing any real riding with it.

[@angelol134]

would this be the same for a 2002 750 ie monster ??

[@2WR]

Yep

[@breazz718]

Why did you have to take the spark plugs out? Recent purchased a monster as a project bike. Ducati wants $460 to change the belts. Is it really just alignment of those points and proper tension? So easy...

[@2WR]

Spark plugs are removed to make it easier to manually turn over the engine to get it to TDC. And yep, align the marks and get the tension set.

[@bobbychicano]

Still a bit confused about this. How does removing the spark plugs help turn over the engine to top dead center?

[@Stlbrd76]

@@bobbychicano When you remove the spark plugs there won't be any compression left in the combustion chamber so the cylinder will move easily thus making it less hard to find TDC

[@poasei]

Great video.why does ducati charge so much for a belt change that seems to be so simple and fast to do?

[@2WR]

On the 2V I'm not sure. It's my understanding there's a bit more to changing the belts on the 4V engines but personally I've never worked on one.

[@bicycle551]

Comment regarding removed NGK plugs showing threaded terminals without a 'Terminal Nut'. The previously installed NGK plugs apparently came without a nut, as is common with different types of NGK plugs. The Spark plug wire caps are designed to mount onto the typical terminal nut as shown on the Champion plugs used. Simple fix to maximize the electrical connectivity: unscrew a terminal nut from a used plug and screw onto the new one. However, always use the type of plug end intended for the spark plug wire cap connection. www.ngk.com/learning-center/article/794/spark-plug-terminal-types

[@joecrennan2061]

JOE CRENNAN Everything is easy in America! - brilliantly clear demonstration, no long winded faffling as most you tubers. And faces (why do you tubers not show themselves?)

[@mickeyriderph3143]

Will it be the same for 2002 S4 916?

[@2WR]

pretty much the same on all of them

[@mickeyriderph3143]

@@2WR thank you so much... parts and service do not exist here.. thanks to you guys in the internet.. parts i am relaying basically from other motor vehicles here for fabrication and similarities

[@2WR]

no problem! We've kept that bike running like a top since it was bought new back in 2002.

[@mickeyriderph3143]

@@2WR it was really helpful.. i was able to understand the bike.. since it was similar... hope you can do more video on the monster...

[@anguskangus8222]

As a Ducati owner all I can say is, Damn that is a Sexy little bike !

[@dannyvelasco2245]

My Ducati skipped time and idk where to start

[@2WR]

I’ve had that happen on other bikes. Way too difficult to explain in the comments section.

[@nigelren3719]

Mate thanks for making this video (from Scotland)

[@glaywinters5231]

Just got monster 821 today brand new

[@2WR]

Congrats!

[@ryankung87]

Nice video! I recently just brought a 2002 ducati monster 620 too. right now its at the shop waiting for the timing belt replace too.

[@2WR]

Be curious to know what they charge for that.

[@ryankung87]

2 Wheeled Rider $500 for timing belt replacement.

[@2WR]

Ouch. Though I can't say I blame them, it does take some time. Plus, from your standpoint, it's cheap insurance to keep it running right.

[@ryankung87]

2 Wheeled Rider just wonder how do you do the belt tension when you change the timing belt. Cuz my mechanic said that he doesn't have the right tool to do it. He have to send it to ducati to ask them to measure it.

[@2WR]

Ryan Kung no clue what your mechanic is talking about. There is no special tool required to adjust the belts. It's either a 5 or 6 mm hex head to loosen or tighten the belt adjusters. You tighten it until you can twist it at a 45° angle. That's it.

[@TexRider]

great stuff Mario

[@2WR]

Thanks Tex Rider!

[@Desertduleler_88]

Two years for belt replacement, that really sucks….

[@samj1185]

the easy answer to that is 'Honda".

[@Desertduleler_88]

@@samj1185 Exactly, I have two of them.

[@samj1185]

@@Desertduleler_88 Wise fella. Me...99 1100xx, 99 VFR800, 03 cr125 , 2013 Crosstour.

[@Desertduleler_88]

@@samj1185 Lol....Me 2004 1100XX, 2005 VTR 1000 Firestorm. I almost brought a low mileage 2017 VFR800F, missed out by 20 minutes.

[@samj1185]

@@Desertduleler_88 nice!

[@michaelmaxwell568]

Wow, no marking and counting teeth on the belts? Oh boy.

[@jeffcoker48]

You didnt check the valve clearances

[@2WR]

Different video

[@landonlockau2214]

And how does Ducati charge 900 cad$ to replace timing belts?!??!

[@2WR]

Dunno 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@matthewbrown7659]

Ducati Winchester! That's where I bought my S2R800 =] Thanks for the video! Now if I can just get some dang timing belts.. =@

[@anguskangus8222]

every 24 months ?

[@2WR]

That's what's recommended since even went they aren't being run much they are still under tension.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

$50 per belt?!! Ducati must have a 300% markup on the actual value of those belts. They probably buy a truckload from Dayco and then crank up the resale. haha

[@2WR]

I think they were gold-infused.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Yes, only the logo printed on the belt though.

[@ArlowFarrell]

Either you way oversimplified the timing mark deal, or the other video way over complicated it with markings and counting. Did you skip steps/not show them?

[@ArlowFarrell]

I think the difference is you spin the back tire and pull the plugs to line up the marks. He tries to make the belts and put them back on where they are. What the hell...

[@2WR]

No clue who you are talking about but you can’t change timing belts without lining up the timing marks/ensuring piston is TDC a cylinder at a time.

[@ArlowFarrell]

@@2WR I followed your way and had it done in thirty minutes. The other top video for doing this on here is... a mess.

[@angelomazzone9409]

Bravi bel video

[@weljo2001]

I bet you have a lot of guys that would like to be your brother-in-law :):)

[@2WR]

Still holding out for a larger dowry :)

[@weljo2001]

lol, So 2 cows and a goat just won't cut it...

[@kevinwilson8039]

This is not the correct way to tension Ducati belts.

[@holmes1956O]

Kevin Wilson lol so give us your way instead of just a statement. By the way I am 63yrs old my m900 is a 96 and I do basically the same way

[@евгенийкузнецов-ч1ю]

Девушка красивая))

[@евгенийкузнецов-ч1ю]

Beautiful girl!!!)))

[@martinfretwell]

Nice lady

[@c_wonder]

bruh.

[@johnfragos7660]

Too many "back in the garage" footage....

[@2WR]

🤷🏻‍♂️