Ducati Monster Forum

Is the 99 model similar to any other year model??? i guess what im asking is which can i use a 05 service manual for a 99 model???? for that matter can i use a manual for a 900 to do the valve adjustment for a 750 Im just trying to do a valve adjustment and I cant find specs for valve clearances anywhere online. Little help and clarification??? Thanks! -John

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MnYPM7gHL._SS500_.jpg)
http://www.amazon.com/Haynes-Manual-Ducati-2-valve-91-05/dp/B003CCWUWY (http://www.amazon.com/Haynes-Manual-Ducati-2-valve-91-05/dp/B003CCWUWY)

This book is really worth the time.

i just checked mine, but there is a slight difference in clearances. each model of bike is almost different. different years have different clearances, different displacements, rebuild clearance, assembled checking clearance. you get the idea.be sure to get the right one. i bought the superbike one on accident, but give me a accuse to buy one now. check around before you buy. should be about $23-$32.

I'd recommend LT Snyders (DesmoTimes) manual for valve adjust.

iirc my Haynes manual said 'go to the dealer dummy' (may have had some specs tho).
I think LT has some well regarded specs,not sure the openers but closers are 0" - 0.001".

I would too.  All I have for my M750 & 900SS is the LT book.  I've done all service on both of my bikes with just that book.  I don't even have the Haynes manual ~

JM

Openers NO tighter than 0.004", closers as close to 0.000" as you can get w/o the cam dragging on rotation.

+1 on the LT Snyder book, Haynes is good...LT's is better

I have both books.  LTs covers basic stuff that you do all the time.  Haynes covers the rest.  Sometimes it is good to have as many photos and descriptions as possible to clarify a confusing issue.  Having said that, I'll point out that LT is better on valve adjustments and just about anything else he covers. 

Chris Kelly published a nice valve adjustment primer on his Ducatitech website, too.  Go to http://www.ducatitech.com/2v/maint/adjust/index.html (http://www.ducatitech.com/2v/maint/adjust/index.html) for his page.  It includes generic specs for all two valve motors.  The greatest benefit is it's free!

I run my bikes at .004 on the openers and as close to .000 as I can get on the closers.  To get close to .000, you run them tighter than a .0015 feeler gauge (the smallest one I have), but so that you can still turn the closing shim with your fingers.  If you can't turn it, it's too tight.

Lots of the confusion over specs comes from all of the various specs published by Ducati over the years.  The allowable tolerances have increased over the years as Ducati has struggled to shed its image as a maintenance intensive marque.  However, if you're going to do your own valves you can keep them as close to "ideal" as you like.  Ducati publishes specs (targets, if you like) and "service limits", the service limits being VERY loose by comparison.  Basically, they're saying "We'd like you to have "X", but as long as you're not looser than "Y" or tighter than "Z" then you're OK."  I personally adjust whenever there's a shim available between where I am and my intended target....and I usually lap shims to get where I want to be on the closer.

It isn't hard, it's just time consuming when you have to order shims. 

Appreciate all the Feedback Everyone!