This is on an 2008 848 but testastretta engines in the monster should be similar. I am replacing my belts with ca cycleworks exact fit belts. When I align the timing mark on the layshaft to the mark on the case my horizontal cam position looked correct with the old belts.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/4X93JKhzbut5inbRA
I used the method from the ducati tech video of marking the belts & transferring the marks to the new belts. When installed in this position my cams no longer line up, tensioning the belts makes the alignment worse.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/JSfopLRud8YwKAyi7
If I set the belt one tooth back on the layshaft the cams line up much better.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/K8qzDjfVrSYVyfGW7
Any thoughts as to why I am getting the difference in alignment between belts and what alignment I should use? The vertical cylinder does not seem to have any alignment issues. It is possible that the belts were off when starting but the bike didn't have any running issues.
My pictures do not seem to be showing not sure if than is on my end or the forum not liking Google photo links
SMF has never liked Google photos, but usually the links will show, but not work. I'm not seeing your links.
Ahh...now I see the issue. Google doesn't allow hotlinking. Edit your post to remove the image tags, and maybe people will be able to click the link, and view your pic.
Thanks DP
Pic links works.
It looks like you are leaving too much slack on the side of the idler and in between the cam sprockets. Remove the tensioner then realign everything making sure you keep the slack on the area where your tensioner should be. I hope that spring-back from the cams doesn't give you too much issues, its why I bought the tools to do mine- to hold those things still while I pulled the belt over the sprockets and getting the slack where it should be.
The new belts are very tight, I was not able to get them on with the tensioner pulley on. The horizontal cams are not under tension at TDC so they are not fighting me at least.
What cam tools are you using, I have seen pictures of the factory tools and they look like the best option, but I have not seen any affordable versions of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqGjyU3xZ_o
For 848 Evo, I dunno difference w 848.
Quote from: caperix on May 17, 2026, 04:50:55 AMThe new belts are very tight, I was not able to get them on with the tensioner pulley on. The horizontal cams are not under tension at TDC so they are not fighting me at least.
What cam tools are you using, I have seen pictures of the factory tools and they look like the best option, but I have not seen any affordable versions of them.
I have a set of these:
GB Timing too and a lOooog link (https://www.ebay.com/itm/115681346098?_skw=848+timing+belt+tools&epid=10084718273&itmmeta=01KRXA1YW6C2HKGMD18W5AXY5J&hash=item1aef254232:g:Of8AAOSws3BjzVeY&itmprp=enc%3AAQALAAAA8GfYFPkwiKCW4ZNSs2u11xAXILYwSTIQaTk9tF6EaorONG0JjOi0syMSygTgmF9QnRf3ARtyxWTQgpbzugUFnbbewOKNP5npWAZv5hXiET%2BK7cOmJig46y48Z8uc1mxKFQrN9yO8C2SZVaTx5XpthGvgxfXRIT5315IMKUqxjVv0f1G0wLY2X08Fa3Cb78Cfbeq8hGFq8lf82v3YbegpiqXQHTb0DNygClfEp1RO8yoLa1dq0G4eEvj8oIPkSlrXrWZ0%2B%2BYf0woSmzaSqQ2KFUajoSskb7aleGpJk0NjYVjNZTWQ4tCKBI92yNSpIugaQA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6ruh6rHZw)
Another thing you might have to do is loosen the cam sprocket to get it aligned properly as it might be off a bit- I have had to do that- the 3 bolts loosen up and have a bit of adjustment to them.
It's hard to tell from the pictures in the ebay link, are they 2 of the same lock or does one have a different alignment? Unlike the video from Brad Black the early bikes cams do not line up in the same position for horizontal and vertical cylinders.