Buy the Tool instead of paying a shop?

[Mash]

I want to replace my timing belts myself, but the tension setting has me flustered, especially with all the threads I've seen about the DS motors being different (can't use the allen key method reliably).

I found this tool online and am wondering if it would be worth it to spend the money on the tool instead of paying the dealer to do the work.



It's available from http://www.motoreva.com/item.cfm?itemid=111&categoryid=171 for US$250

What do you guys think.  Is this something that I should add to my toolbox?

[causeofkaos]

that's an interesting find.
i read somewhere on this board when using these types of devices you take multiple reads and if you get a number to repeat or close to then that's what you go with or some sh*t like that.
Me personally, you never have enough tools even if you use it once or twice i think its worth it, in fact i bookmarked it unless another member suggests a better one.

[BK_856er]

I had great luck with the laptop + microphone + Audacity program.  I liked the ability to see and record the waveforms to get a feel for the data quality.  That tool looks very convenient for sure.  If you're a tool guy I say go for it!

BK

[Langanobob]

I use the Allen wrench method since I don't have a DS motor but in principle I like the laptop and microphone system.  Seems like it achieves the same result as this tool but with more information and flexibility.  Haven't used a laptop for adjusting belts  but I've messed with FFT stuff for other things in the past and IMHO it's real interesting and educational too.

I would say the money would be  better spent toward a set of shims or maybe  a VDST tool.  Or suspension upgrade parts.  But you're on the right track buying tools to avoid forking over $$ to a dealer which is a bad investment anyway you look at it.  But to avoid offending anyone who pays,  it's all priorities and preferences, some guys don't like doing their own work and would prefer to pay and spend their time doing other things and there's nothing wrong with that.

Thinking about the laptop FFT programs, I wonder if they'd be of further use, like in detecting the onset of pre-ignition or other internal motor issues?  Seems like there would be a lot of info in the exhaust frequencies.  Or maybe serious tuners already use it.

[He Man]

many people have talked abut using a guitar tuner, no one has done it yet though...or rather no one has posted up about doing it yet..

[Ivan]

I've never used that tool, but I've been getting great results using a spectrum analyzer, which is just a PC sound card with some software.  When you can see a real-time plot of the signal in the frequency domain, it is very obvious when you are getting a good reading because the primary frequency peak will be 10+ dB higher than any other surrounding noise or harmonics. 

[Mash]

I think I'm going to try the PC approach.  I've got a macbook and audacity, just gotta get a mic. 

I'll save some money this way, and avoid purchasing a 'uni-tasker', as Alton Brown would say...

[scott_araujo]

I think I'm going to try the PC approach.  I've got a macbook and audacity, just gotta get a mic. 

I'll save some money this way, and avoid purchasing a 'uni-tasker', as Alton Brown would say...

That would be my plan too.  And Alton's great.

Scott

[Ivan]

I realize its free, but IMO Audacity is very clumsy to use for this application.  Maybe I just haven't spent enough time using it, but it seems that you can't get a real-time result.  You need to capture the waveform, then convert it to the frequency domain using the Analysis tool, or compute the frequency directly from the time domain plot.

A real-time spectrum analyzer gives you an instantaneous read-out of the primary frequency as soon as you pluck the belt, along with a plot that shows you how strong the primary frequency is relative to the surrounding noise.  There is also a trigger level control, which causes the instrument to only register a signal that is higher than a chosen level.  You can also save a record of the data on your PC.  I can set the belt tension in < 1 minute this way.  I've been using Virtins Multi Instrument.  Its free for a few weeks, but is $50 to buy it if it works out for you.

I've no vested interest in anyone buying this software, but I do think it works great for this application:
http://www.virtins.com/

This is what the output looks like, saved from setting the tension on my 2V engine.  You can see that the frequency is reported to be 108Hz, right above the frequency domain plot:

[booger]

just download the trial version, uninstall it after you do your belts, reinstall when you do them again [moto]

[supertjeduc]

I want to replace my timing belts myself, but the tension setting has me flustered, especially with all the threads I've seen about the DS motors being different (can't use the Allen key method reliably).

I found this tool on line and am wondering if it would be worth it to spend the money on the tool instead of paying the dealer to do the work.



It's available from http://www.motored.com/item.CF?item id=111&category id=171 for US$250

What do you guys think.  Is this something that I should add to my toolbox?

My dealer (40 years ducati dealership) uses his finger to feel if the  tension is wright

[colin748916]

I read the belt tension of my DS using my Peterson Strobosoft 2.0 instrument tuning software. It has a "tap tuning" function for reading resonance frequencies of construction parts and others when building stringed and/or percussive musical instruments. The software has a very fast response and I found the readings to be very accurate once set up correctly. It shows the results in real time and it has a hold function. It also has an oscilloscope and a spectrum analyzer. And a function for recording and then ignoring constant background noise. Multiple readings were all within +/- 1% once learning the correct technique for plucking the belts. Please note that in my cold garage it was nearly impossible to read the frequency of the belts as they would not swing. I had to bring the room (the belts) to indoor temperature for constant accurate readings.

[Geaux]

I think I'm going to try the PC approach.  I've got a macbook and audacity, just gotta get a mic. 

Dan, your MacBook should have a teeny built in mic.

[Mash]

Dan, your MacBook should have a teeny built in mic.

hmmm, the logistics of that seem daunting.  I've gotta go by radio shack tomorrow anyway, I'll get a cheap computer mic.

I sent a PM to Chris at CA, but haven't heard back from him.  busy on gas tanks prolly.  i'll have to give CA a call and order the new belts and a couple other things I need.

[BK_856er]

hmmm, the logistics of that seem daunting.  I've gotta go by radio shack tomorrow anyway, I'll get a cheap computer mic.

You'll want to experiment with different mic positions to get the best waveforms, so a wired mic is super handy.  I think I kept the mic about 1cm from the belt.

BK