First things to do?

[Speeddog]

2 years on the belts, unless I read the OP wrong....

Well, '05 S4R, most likely produced in late '04.
About 3 1/2 years or so.

[ScottRNelson]

2 years on the belts, unless I read the OP wrong....

If the bike has sat for two full years without running, it's still dangerous to run without new belts.

You can get away with three years if the engine is run regularly, like never sitting for a month or longer.

[hyphen]

Update:

My friend who works at Pro Italia is getting me an oil filter, a set of belts, and crushwater (dunno what that is) today and is going to do some maintenance on the thing Saturday after he gets off work.  I'll be borrowing his ramp and tie downs as well (i have a truck).  Thanks for the advice, folks.  He agreed that it could potentially be an issue and that those things should be addressed before I do any serious riding.

[Slide Panda]

...could potentially be an issue and that those things should be addressed before I do any riding.

Fixed it for ya 

The crush washer is an soft metal washer, usually aluminum or copper used to help seal fittings, drain plugs, etc.  They are supposed to be single use items - so each time you drain the oil, you would replace the drain plug crush washer before your reseat the plug. 

There's also one on the oil pump filter screen, oh yeah and the little ones on all your brake fittings.

[hyphen]

Well he says the chances of the belts snapping on my way home are low if I ride very conservatively.  But I'd rather not risk it.

[Ohmic]

And don't forget to post pictures of your ride when you get it. We here at DMF can't get enough of naked....
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... Ducs 

[bigiain]

My friend who works at Pro Italia is getting me an oil filter, a set of belts, and crushwater (dunno what that is) today and is going to do some maintenance on the thing Saturday after he gets off work.

Excellent news!

Like I said upthread, it is probably only a small chance of failure, but that failure is catastophically expensive if it happens. I think you've done the right thing.

big

[Cucciolo]

How difficult is for the tech to change the 2 belts? I mean should he charge 1 hour of labor or Half hour? Each belt is like 80 bucks ? I will ask for this to be done tomorrow on my S4R..

[Spider]

You're friend is a good one, keep him and listen...

as to the Ducati mechanic that stated it's 'practically a new bike' - he's an idiot - let's not beat round the bush - there isn't a single piece of Ducati literature that doesn't state the 2 year rule for belts.

He is either being lazy or trying to save you money - but as the wise ones have pointed out - blowing the motor and having the $120 in your wallet isn't really 'saving' you anything.

Complete trust in your machinery is priceless and an important step in becoming a good rider (so I've heard!)

enjoy!

[hyphen]

Yeah, the discount prices on parts don't hurt either

[bigiain]

How difficult is for the tech to change the 2 belts? I mean should he charge 1 hour of labor or Half hour? Each belt is like 80 bucks ? I will ask for this to be done tomorrow on my S4R..

Just changing the belts? _I_ can do that in under an hour, so I'd hope a pro would be well under an hour. Normally though, you'd be checking the valve clearances at the same time (having the belts off is a great way to make sure you've got tight-but-not-too-tight closer clearances) - I'd normally expect to be able to comfortably do belts and clearance _checks_ in less than 2 hours. If any shims need changing though, the time goes up again (I usually budget an afternoon if I'm removing or replacing shims).

big

[Cucciolo]

Just changing the belts? _I_ can do that in under an hour, so I'd hope a pro would be well under an hour. Normally though, you'd be checking the valve clearances at the same time (having the belts off is a great way to make sure you've got tight-but-not-too-tight closer clearances) - I'd normally expect to be able to comfortably do belts and clearance _checks_ in less than 2 hours. If any shims need changing though, the time goes up again (I usually budget an afternoon if I'm removing or replacing shims).

big

THanks..
My bike is at the shop to have the clutch replaced. I might as well have the tech do the belts and if you say that checking valve clearance is easy at that point, then I will have him do that as well. I wonder what my bill for labor will be to do all this??

[hyphen]

THanks..
My bike is at the shop to have the clutch replaced. I might as well have the tech do the belts and if you say that checking valve clearance is easy at that point, then I will have him do that as well. I wonder what my bill for labor will be to do all this??

they'll probably tack on an extra 2 hours worth of labor just for the belts and valve clearances.  i think ducati on average charges around 100 and some odd dollars per hour. 

[Speeddog]

they'll probably tack on an extra 2 hours worth of labor just for the belts and valve clearances.  i think ducati on average charges around 100 and some odd dollars per hour. 

Changing belts and checking valve clearances on a 4V Monster is more than a 2 hour job.

With the belts off, you can spin the cams and confirm nothing's binding, and it's only a minute more than just changing the belts.

Actually measuring all 16 clearances takes a good bit longer.

[bigiain]

Changing belts and checking valve clearances on a 4V Monster is more than a 2 hour job.

Ahh yeah, sorry, I missed that...

Yeah, 4 valve motors are (I'm told, never had to do one myself) quite a lot more hassle to check and shim than 2 valvers like mine... Ignore my valve clearance time estimates 

I know at least two people who pull the heads of their 748's to do the valve clearances...

bog