When to renew timing belts?

corey · February 04, 2009, 12:41:02 PM

i'm going to check condition and maybe post some pics. from the sounds of it, it would seem that i should just wait until my 6k service.

J.P. · February 04, 2009, 01:15:14 PM

At my rate- 6k mi. will be at 3.5 years old. I think I'll wait.
Maybe take the covers off. Q: Do I gotta remove the tank on a 1000DS to remove the vert. cover? It's so squashed and distorted that I might have trouble getting it off/on.
Thanks! J.P.

herm · February 04, 2009, 02:17:53 PM

Quote from: J.P. on February 04, 2009, 01:15:14 PM
At my rate- 6k mi. will be at 3.5 years old. I think I'll wait.
Maybe take the covers off. Q: Do I gotta remove the tank on a 1000DS to remove the vert. cover? It's so squashed and distorted that I might have trouble getting it off/on.
Thanks! J.P.

you dont have to actually remove the tank, but you will need to prop it up to get in there.

6:1, 2/12 of the other...

Popeye the Sailor · February 04, 2009, 05:31:44 PM

Quote from: herm on February 04, 2009, 02:17:53 PM
6:1, 2/12 of the other...

Those are not the same things

Monsterlover · February 04, 2009, 06:48:12 PM

^

+1

ducwrx · February 06, 2009, 09:38:48 PM

I've got 12000 miles or so on my 02 that I bought with about 3k miles on it. I checked the belts last summer and they looked good. I'm going to replace them for the first time this winter. That said, the bike sits half the year and I'm a pretty casual rider. Maybe I just got lucky, but that's 7 years without a belt change.

Oh, and I'll be back asking questions when I do change it. Just as soon as my collarbone heals up.

I downloaded Chris' videos about changing the belts so that should help out quite a bit, but I can't seem to find a manual for my model year. I have a generic one, but maybe I should get LT's book.

Hans Hergesheimer · February 08, 2009, 06:02:38 AM

Sorry if I missed it ... but with the frequency method, just what are you measuring the frequency of? It sounds pretty nifty though.

And if the 2 year period is a big issue for timing belt replacement, what about the period where it sits on a shelf in a warehouse for 6 months before you actually buy it?

Howie · February 08, 2009, 06:25:34 AM

Quote from: Hans Hergesheimer on February 08, 2009, 06:02:38 AM
Sorry if I missed it ... but with the frequency method, just what are you measuring the frequency of? It sounds pretty nifty though.

And if the 2 year period is a big issue for timing belt replacement, what about the period where it sits on a shelf in a warehouse for 6 months before you actually buy it?

The tighter the belt the higher the frequency, allegedly more accurate and repeatable than other methods. 2 years is time in service, not from day of manufacture, unless the belts have white lettering on them. In that case, RUN!

Hans Hergesheimer · February 08, 2009, 06:30:07 AM

Quote from: howie on February 08, 2009, 06:25:34 AM
The tighter the belt the higher the frequency, allegedly more accurate and repeatable than other methods.

But do you get it close to tension and then start the engine and take measurements? It just seems like there would be a lot of interference from all of the background noises ... or do you simply twang the thing like a rubber band while it's still off? That's really the part I was confused about

woodyracing · February 08, 2009, 07:03:21 AM

you "strum" the belt with your thumb (obviously while not running) just like a rubber band

Bill in OKC · February 08, 2009, 10:07:48 AM

I used the frequency method recently (nothing like the rhythm method

) - it was my first belt change so nothing to compare it to but it seems very accurate and repeatable.

Hans Hergesheimer · February 08, 2009, 03:36:44 PM

So I just looked in my ducati manual (07 S2R 800) and it says to set the tension as follows:

In this condition, with the piston of the horizontal cylinder is at TDC and the valves fully closed as confirmed by the reading on gauge (E), set gauges (F) to zero.
Refit the belts and adjust the tension to:
- Horizontal belt 145 Hz
- Vertical belt 160 Hz

This seems higher than what was mentioned previously..are they talking about the same procedure?

Howie · February 08, 2009, 06:12:10 PM

Ducati keeps lowering the tension. Maybe ask your dealer for the latest specs?

ScottRNelson · April 17, 2009, 10:28:49 AM

Normally belt changes are at 12,000 miles, so 14K is "just a little bit over". It's the time that should be a concern. Usually you only check valve clearances and belt tension at the 6K check.

Langanobob · April 17, 2009, 11:21:10 AM

I had a similar case with my '86 Cagiva Elefant (Ducati motor). It went 26,000 miles and 10 years without a change because like you I thought the original owner had changed them. No problem though and I think the only problem you will have during this weekend's ride is worrying. Hope it doesn't spoil the ride.

Also, I have a friend with a low milage Ducati Pantah 500 who has changed the belts exactly twice in roughly 25 years. He is a former Duc dealer and tech so that tells me his opinion of frequent belt changes

(Not to be taken that I'm recommending ignoring belt changes).

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When to renew timing belts?