2v timing belt change

[rockaduc]

I just finished changing the belts on my s2r 800.  I followed all of the steps in Chris' You TUbe video(  ) exactly and the instructions on DUcati Suite.  It was so easy, I'm almost afraid I did something wrong!!! 

Anyone else do this and find it surprisingly easy?

[booger]

I always struggle with getting the covers off and back on without needing to touch up the black paint. Other than that yeah it's pretty easy.

[rockaduc]

Exactly.  The most difficult part was getting the horizontal cover off.

[desmodoktor]

Exactly.  The most difficult part was getting the horizontal cover off.

+1 !!
there's nothing a mechanic can do that we can't!!
Do not waste your money to mechanics !!


and yes! its very easy to replace +tension the belts ..
it helps a lot if you cut the straps that hold the wires/hoses tight to the frame when removing the belt covers..   
Enjoy

[Gimpy]

I had the same experience when I did my valves and belts for the first time.  I was so nervous beforehand that I scoured the boards for how to's and hints. Studied the videos, and damn near memorized the book.  By the time I actually got to the job is seemed like a breeze. 

[Cloner]

+1 !!
there's nothing a mechanic can do that we can't!!
Do not waste your money to mechanics !!

Easy, there, svp.  Let's not be hasty, now.   

Cloner
Proprietor and Mechanic
Desert Desmo, LLC

And, "Yes", changing belts is easy....just don't tell everybody.   

[KRJ]

   Well, when You master rebuilding four cyl. needle bearing cranks, timed and trued to perfection, You will realize that building a 120hp engine that lives to 40,000 mi. is a bit more than amateur maintenance... Tires and belts are like putting on a pair of socks, and a True mechanic is experianced to see problems the average Joe wouldn't imagine. A good, competant, experianced person is priceless, no matter what They do. As Cloner said, don't be hasty to bash Us trained Professionals, I'm glad You are doing Your own work, You are just starting to enjoy a long journey....

[ducatiz]

no, belts are easy.

even easier when you run with no covers. 

valve gapping is a little more involved but mainly cause you have more stuff to move out of the way for the vertical head.

[rockaduc]

The ease of doing this has inspired me to perhaps tackle my valves when they are due.

[booger]

Took me two weeks to get the valves done the first time. But I wasn't in a hurry and it was over the winter. A lot of measuring shims over and over and over. I was a bit concerned that the bike would self-destruct on startup, but I've got enough experience working on engines that I wasn't frightened, just concerned. End result was good, zero clearance under the closing shims. A job well done, all by myself.

But to get it done in an afternoon for a paying customer, that's talent. Pro mechanics, if they are truly good and not just hacks, deserve your business. There's a lot of finesse and knowledge involved that you can't get from a service manual. There are too many intricacies and it only comes from experience. If you're lucky you can get it for free from your Dad like I did. For example, I have a buddy that considers himself really handy. He overtorques fasteners then brags about his strength afterward when the fasteners strip out or break. I had to introduce the concept of torque value to him. He was resistant, but there's the difference between a hack and a pro.

[desmodoktor]

Easy, there, svp.  Let's not be hasty, now.   

Cloner
Proprietor and Mechanic
Desert Desmo, LLC

And, "Yes", changing belts is easy....just don't tell everybody.   

wasn't trying to be... that's my future plan actually ... to become what u are now!
i said what i said.. bcoz i was pissed at the mechanics at the ducati shop here...  when i had to do the valve inspection/possible adjustment  and on the same time replace my vertical cylinder head base gasket... and they asked for 700$ for valves.. + 1200$ for replacing the gasket.. + tax = 2grand right there..  to me thats a lot of money.. bcoz im not one of those kids who their pops bought them their duc..  (im not rich) lets not get into it..
i apologize for what i said ...
i just believe w/e the shops charge is way too much + there is no way in hell any mechanic is going to do the job with the same care or love. its just a routine..  anyways , thats my opinion only.. im sure some of you will support it , other not...   enjoy the season ! 

[hackers2r]

SVP...shops work on an hourly rate.  That's the fair way to charge.  I do most of my own work and believe me, the estimates are usually pretty accurate.  When you go to tackle the jobs yourself, take note of the amount of time it takes you. I'm not defending your local shop, but there will probably be something that's over your head and it's always better to be understanding when you take your bike in rather than upset or insulted.  Also, although finding a mechanic who cares about their work may be daunting, but they do exist.  I'm lucky enough to have found one by me and will always appreciate that and give him my business. 

[Slide Panda]

Though that seems very high a price. I had a shop pull my heads, do some port and polish work and a touch more fussing, new belts and the valves for around 1200. Ones the heads are off, pulling the barrel isn't that much more...  That estimate seems excessive to me. It ;s a fiar bit of work to get to that state - but I'd think 14-15 might be more like it...

[junior varsity]

Ones the heads are off, pulling the barrel isn't that much more... 

yeah, "yank".

[desmodoktor]

SVP...shops work on an hourly rate.  That's the fair way to charge.  I do most of my own work and believe me, the estimates are usually pretty accurate.  When you go to tackle the jobs yourself, take note of the amount of time it takes you. I'm not defending your local shop, but there will probably be something that's over your head and it's always better to be understanding when you take your bike in rather than upset or insulted.  Also, although finding a mechanic who cares about their work may be daunting, but they do exist.  I'm lucky enough to have found one by me and will always appreciate that and give him my business. 

yeah, i understand.. and yeah it took me time.. (coz i never worked on bikes before)
but if you tell me to pull out the headers and put them back in .. my estimate is 2-3 hours.. or less.. 
anyways... the point i was trying to make is that for most of us our ducatis are our toys.. and if there's time to waste .. its better to do everything yourself than bring it to the shop and go get wasted in the bar... while waiting !!     i didn't mean no disrespect whatsoever!   Enjoy  [moto]