The base gasket on the the s4 on the rear cylinder is leaking oil and I was just wondering do you need any special tools to complete the job and as I think this seems to be a common problem is there an uprated gasket set from ducati or any other manufacture. the summer in Ireland has been real good weather wise and I've been enjoying the duc so much that in just 2 years of owner ship of my first duc I've managed to cover 14000 mile which is more than the total mileage on the bike when I first bought it. The reason for doing something about the base gaskets is it's due another set of belts in a thousand or so miles and I can put up with the oil leak to then and kill to birds with one stone. Any info would be much appreciated.
You can use hose clamps as ring compressors. Otherwise you'll need a piston ring compressor.
You will need a way to torque the head nuts to spec. I made a tool that looked like this.
(http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy130/rappevan/3e73ed9d.jpg)
One of the triangular-shaped hook-ups for the coolant is a PITA to get off. You can't get to one of the bolts without lifting the cylinder a bit. Just remember that when you are reinstalling. I wasn't able to find any better way to do. You'll see what I mean when you get there.
Make sure the gasket you get has all of the cutouts and sits proud.
I plugged the unused oil galley on the vertical cylinder when I was in there. I tapped it and loc-tited a set screw in place.
I bought sealant for the vase gasket but after a failed first attempt, I put the second one on dry. No leaks and no more worries.
Base gaskets were cheap. $4
Head gasket were like $70
Thanks for the info and the heads up plan on doing the job late october early november.