Props to (EMSDuc)

[EEL]

Just wanted to give props to Mike from EMS. I bought a shim kit from him 3 years go. I've used it for both of the Ducs I've owned in the last 5 years. Unfortunately, I finally got to the point where the shims I had left in the kit were the wrong size for my new bike.

I called Mike up this morning and he was more than happy to trade any UNUSED/Undersized/Oversized shims from my kit that did not work on my new bike for sizes that did. All for the cost of shipping (a few bucks).

Ducati closers/openers are $20 bucks each, he charges only $8.50 and his are higher quality.

-----> Well deserved plug:<------ For all you Bay Area locals, he's got a booth this weekend 3/28 at the Vintage Motorcycle Show @ Santa Clara Fairgrounds.

Great guy - Deserves the business. 

[billg69gmc]

LT also sells the EMS kit, and like-wise can restock your kit. While some see StickerShock at the cost of the kit, it is justified in: getting the job done, no waiting, works on more than a few bikes, keeps things orderly (unless you knock the kit over... don't ask me how I know about this!) with numbered compartments. Like you said... Props to EMS.

One thing I do, as a side note, is keep a composition book for each bike so that chronologically I can look back at all the work that was done and any notes, torque values, comments for the next go round. Since it is bound, you don't lose pages and it holds up well to greasy dirty hands. Just date the pages as you do each service/repair. When I pull closers/opener I mark them with a fine sharpie so I know what valve they came from before I throw them back into the EMS kit.

[Paegelow]

Good tips there....  I've been looking at those kits and I think I'll get one.  My bike needs servicing pretty soon, and I'm planning on doing it myself!  I guess even at over $300, doing you own servicing will pay for the whole kit the first time you use it!

[Desmo Demon]

Unfortunately, I finally got to the point where the shims I had left in the kit were the wrong size for my new bike.

This just means you need to buy some more shims for this bike and buy another bike that would use the other shims. 

One thing I do, as a side note, is keep a composition book for each bike so that chronologically I can look back at all the work that was done and any notes...

I keep a spreadsheet for each valve adjustment and another spreadsheet of other info, such as tire changes, oil changes, and other misc repairs. On the valve adjustment spreadsheet, I usually put the year in the title so it is easier to compare valve adjustments to see how much the valves have moved.


I've got the EMS shim kits for the 2V and 4V engines. I use the 2V on both ST2s, the Monster, and the Paso. The 4V is used on my 748 and I've also used it to help a friend do the valves on both of his 998 bikes. Those kits are life-savers.....and Mike's a terrific guy.