[8489]

Can't speak from experience, but machines are machines. Check this link:

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_9504_hand/

A quick google turns up a bunch of other links, but the job doesn't look overly difficult for a reasonably competent home mechanic.

 

[49605]

This Ducati valve thing is one of the most over-rated maintenance tasks in motorcycling. It must be one of the salesperson talking points that they teach at BMW, Honda, etc



One of my best friends and riding buddies has two Ducs with Desmoquattro (4 valve) engines, he does all his own service... those things are a bit more pain in the ass but having assisted on those I'd have no qualms about doing a nice simple two valve Duc myself.



On a naked bike like a Monster or Multistrada it'd probably take me 6 hours the first time I touched the bike, 2-3 hours after that. Notice that Ducati does a nice job of enginnering the access you need to the heads... removal of gas tank, fairings, etc.



P.S. The service interval may be 5,000 miles but when you check the tolerances it's unlikely that more than a couple valves will be out of spec

 

[8345]

What a coincidence.

Someone asked that same question on another forum I belong to.

answered by posting links:

http://www.ducatisuite.com/valves

http://www.ducatitech.com/

http://www.ducatimonster.org/smf/index.php/topic,21994.0.html

I'm mildly interested in it too, although I think I'll let the dealer do the 6K service on the 999 just to see how hard they wack me with the bill.

 

[35244]

That Sport Rider link article was good. And speaks to a truth....hi-rez black & white photos are the bees knees for illustrating how to.



Now I'm nostalgic for CYCLE mag...again.

 

[longride]

WWBD What Would Buz Do??

 

[yo-me-mo]

I thought I saw something on ducatis site that said values are adjusted every 10,000 on a st3. I was thinking about it also since they are offering 2.9 % financing.

 

[mscuddy]

Nice to know it's not that complicated. You've got a follower for each valve actuation, right? (I'm looking at a desmo setup from 750cc Osca at the moment). How do you adjust ? Shims?



Thanks for the link on the M8E. I use to see that car in my dad's garage in Hidden Hills, remember the big fuel injection stacks. Awsome car. Formula libre. Like a P Wagen or W125.

 

[36234]

Although I have not done a Duc valve check yet I do plan on doing the valves on my Multistrada.I think because they have an opening rocker and a closing rocker people think they are more complicated,but I think a little more time consuming would be more accurate. I think removing the bodywork and just getting to the valves can be very time consuming on any machine.My old 16 valve Suzuki was very tedious to check valves on also.

 

[49605]

Yeah, shims



It was a blast looking at all the old race stuff Hemmings had for sale... if I were a billionaire I'd prolly have a pretty big garage with a lot of $hit in it

 

[sliphorn]

Martin Brickwood--www.mbpducati.com has replacement collets that allow 18,000 mile valve adjustment intervals, or so he claims. Anyone know about these?

 

[35614]

Never adjusted the valves on a Duc but I don't believe that they are any harder than on my 800 VFR Honda 2004

 

[ruister]

Hey,

I've never done a 4 valve engine, but I have a Monster 900 and I've always done my valves. It's a lot easier than otherwise claimed by those who want your money. Follow the instructions on ducatisuite.com as a guideline and get the right tools, a micrometer is a must. Get a set of collets from Martin Brickwood (www.mbp.com) he can hook you up with a measument tool for the closing shim. It's a bit intimidating at first, but get everything in a advance plan what you are going to do and get to work!!!

Good Luck,

Rui

ps: It's very satisfying to fire it up after the valve job is done and know that this is your work!!

 

[iamz]

Huh?

Your link to me to the Magical Nebula; and I wasn't even doing acid!

 

[sliphorn]

Re: Huh?

See my post above! www.mbpducati.com

 

[Buzglyd]

Find a dealer with a Starbucks nearby and maybe some nice antique stores.



I'll be in FL for a few days. I'll check out the local mullets and get back to you on your new haircut.

 

[Vlad]

Desmo valves are not hard to adjust. I would rather do the valves on a two/three valve ducati than many of the four valve Japanese bikes. Other MOrons have posted some good links.



The only problem that you might have is that some dealers are reluctant to say your warranty will still be in effect if you do your own adjustments. Some don't care. Some will say that your warranty is OK as long as the fault can't be traced to out of spec valves.



But don't let the dealers put you off with horror stories, especially those told by dealers of other motorcycles.



Bottom line, it's not that hard.



Francis

 

[42906]

I have almost 15000 miles on my '02 ST4s. In that time, only one valve needed a shim change. Checking the clearances is no more difficult than any other engine type. Get the right tools up front, buy the factory manual, read those websites, and work carefully. Each time it gets easier and faster.

 

[iamz]

Re: Huh?

Thanks. I thought somebody slipped me something.

 

[ofreen]

Doing the spline lube on a BMW is like that, too, in that it gets faster and easier every time you do it. But it is still a royal pain in the a$$.

 

[50960]

Anyone know if the electronic fuel management (eg lambda/O2 sensor) needs recalibrating after a valve adjustment?