What's the story with my valves?

Razzo Bolognese · August 11, 2009, 06:38:39 AM

My '05 M1000 has 6800 miles on it. At 4800 miles it needed major warrantee work after one of my crankshafts busted (long story, some of you know, about a "friend" who "helped" me with an oil change. Ask & I'll dish the whole dirt). October of 2007 she got properly stored for 18 months. Now I'm riding as hard as ever but I have concerns. Were my valves adjusted when they cracked open the engine? What about all the other crap they do at the 6000 mile service which I have not gotten? Can I ride my baby to 12000 miles before I need another service?

-Dan

Speeddog · August 11, 2009, 06:47:21 AM

Did you get an invoice/work order/receipt for the work that was done?
Usually it's listed on there.

2001cromo · August 11, 2009, 11:26:18 AM

Hey Dan,

If the answer to the above is "no" then take it to ECS and have them take a look and most likely at least replace the belts.

Hope all is well otherwise.

~Terry

Razzo Bolognese · August 11, 2009, 03:34:56 PM

I found the original receipt. It was actually 3553 miles when my baby got broke. I dunno what the thingy is called but the joint that meets the camshaft to the piston was busted. All my receipt says is "extreme bottom end noise". I never got an itemized receipt. I suppose that was because it was all under warrantee

What all this means I know not. Can I assume that as they had to rebuild my engine they would've done the valves? It seems to make sense, but so did that clown who ruined my bike seem to make sense right before he trashed her.

Hiya Terry! What/where the hell is ECS?

-Dan

ScottRNelson · August 11, 2009, 03:51:57 PM

It sounds to me like you need new belts and that you need the valve clearances checked. Don't put off the belt change. You could end up with some serious valve issues if you snap one, and it's most likely to happen on Ducatis that have sat for a long time with belts that are more than two years old.

2001cromo · August 11, 2009, 06:24:03 PM

Quote from: Razzo Bolognese on August 11, 2009, 03:34:56 PM
What/where the hell is ECS?

They're in Middletown NY, not too far from Bear Mtn.

http://www.europeancycleservices.com/index.asp

Howie · August 11, 2009, 08:23:10 PM

I second taking the bike to ECS. Two years on the belts is new belt time, and, if they did not do head work the valves were not touched. Bring all your maintenance and repair records there and do whatever they recommend, like, for instance, brake fluid should be flushed every year.

Razzo Bolognese · August 11, 2009, 09:05:21 PM

I just wanna ride.

Can I flog on her for just one more weekend or am I being a fool? I was thinking of going to the Desmo BBQ and hitting some twisties with an old buddy this weekend. Are there any telltale signs that I'm experiencing belt problems? Should I pop the covers off an visually inspect them? She has been running hotter 'n hell lately, regularly 250's around town. Sometimes even higher. I'd assumed it was the NY summer compounded by me being a nut.

Sometimes I feel too poor & ignorant to own a Duc. At least I keep her clean! Ooh! I can clean somebody's bike if they look at mine! No? Lobster? Steak? Vodka??

BTW hi to Nick, Howie & Scott too!

-Dan

Speeddog · August 11, 2009, 09:22:28 PM

Hey, Dan!

Visual inspection of belts isn't very definitive, other than if they're hella loose or on the verge of failing.
Doesn't hurt to take the covers off and give 'em a look, make sure the tensioner rollers spin easily.

He Man · August 11, 2009, 09:30:47 PM

My belts
3 years 12,000 miles, open belt covers rode through rain, salted snow roads, sun. and stored for 3 months without starting. twice.

The new belts are pretty strong. you can always check them for cracks. changing them yourself isnt hard at all at all. I just did my 12,000 service on my S2R1000, same motor basically.

Valves are a bit tricky but once u understand the whole process its cake.

If you run ur bike HARD (i ride like a maniac on the streets all the time) your vlaves are going to be out of spec for sure.

Howie · August 12, 2009, 05:53:31 AM

Dan, the belts are supposed to be changed every two years regardless of mileage. Since changing belts is preventative maintenance I'm sure the interval is very conservative. Some folks have gone many years and miles over the interval without incident, others haven't. Unfortunately the call has to be yours. It would be a good idea to pull the covers and take a look see, but that is still not a guarantee.

ScottRNelson · August 12, 2009, 06:50:14 AM

Quote from: howie on August 12, 2009, 05:53:31 AM
Dan, the belts are supposed to be changed every two years regardless of mileage. Since changing belts is preventative maintenance I'm sure the interval is very conservative. Some folks have gone many years and miles over the interval without incident, others haven't.

I've discussed the cam belt issue several times with a Ducati mechanic who has seen his share of broken belts and the resulting damage. The worst possible thing for the belts is letting them sit in one position for a long time. The belts develop a hard spot where they are bent around the rollers and that's where they fail. If a bike is ridden regularly you can easily get away with three years if you haven't managed to put 12,000 miles on it. But if the bike has sat unused, it's a huge gamble.

Razzo Bolognese · August 12, 2009, 07:06:11 AM

Quote from: ScottRNelson on August 12, 2009, 06:50:14 AM
I've discussed the cam belt issue several times with a Ducati mechanic who has seen his share of broken belts and the resulting damage. The worst possible thing for the belts is letting them sit in one position for a long time. The belts develop a hard spot where they are bent around the rollers and that's where they fail. If a bike is ridden regularly you can easily get away with three years if you haven't managed to put 12,000 miles on it. But if the bike has sat unused, it's a huge gamble.

Do the belts move when the bike moves? The bike was rolled once per week to avoid flat spots on the tires.

-Dan

ScottRNelson · August 12, 2009, 07:21:43 AM

Quote from: Razzo Bolognese on August 12, 2009, 07:06:11 AM
Do the belts move when the bike moves? The bike was rolled once per week to avoid flat spots on the tires.

The belts move when the engine moves. If the bike had been left in top gear when it was moved, and moved without using the clutch, that would have helped with the belts.

From all that has been said, I would strongly recommend that you get the belts changed.

He Man · August 12, 2009, 08:08:04 AM

if you order them from ca-cycle works today (its still 9am there right now) they will get it out today, make sure you use priority, and youll get it friday. install them in a pinch and be done with it. they are $58 per belt when i bought them.

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What's the story with my valves?