Cam timing on 696

[Link]

I've heard 2 things on the cam timing one is, that when done right the bike will run great & gain a little power and the timing set at factory is usually off so when changing belts proper cam timing should be done. The other is the timing can not really be off due to the way the 696 is built and just change belt & timing will be fine as there really is no way to set it. I heard this from 2 different shops. One shop is a performance shop that builds Duc race bikes other is a Duc dealer. Any one know real story ? Bike is a 2009 696 about 7300 miles on it, Leo vince cans, Rexxer reflash,
Thanks

[Raux]

to adjust cam timing I think you need different cam gears.

i'd have to go back and take a look at my stock ones to see if it can be done.

[Raux]

and IMO, from all the guys I met in Europe... a great shop can adjust timing to get more power.

[Link]

One thing I also heard was the older motors had timing marks on the pulley and the new models don't. When you say adjust timing your talking cam timing correct also did you swap out your stock cam gears (I didn't read about that one) ? I've heard the same over here that the factory tolerances are sometimes ok & others not so getting the timing correct can make a noticeable diff. The one shop says they can adjust cam timing but they didn't mention anything about changing the cam gears. So I'm gonna talk some more with the shop & see what they say. 

[Speeddog]

'09 696 has adjustable pulleys on the cams, so they can be adjusted.

How much of an improvement you'll see depends how far off they are.

Also would depend on what the cam timing was on the bike that was used to provide the Rexxer map.

[brad black]

ducati have assembly tools that lock the engine at horiz tdc firing and the cams and everything gets tightened up there and theoretically gives the right cam timing.  how right depends on model.

you're meant to redo that procedure when replacing belts.  I certainly don't.

if you want to set the cam timing accurately you use a degree wheel on the crank and dial gauges on the valve and set the timing here you want it.  696 you just adjust the adjustable pullies.

the later motors are all big valve short cam, and the potential for noticeable performance increases thru cam timing changes have diminished.  back when they were building small valve big cam motors it was easier. 

I haven't checked any late model motors past the old 800 pretty much.  doesn't seem to be a lot of point.

696 specs seem retarded given the lobe sep at 107 degrees and inlet centreline at 111 and exhaust at 102.  but making them 107 might not help it.  you'd have to try it and see.

[Link]

Thanks. Speed Dog & Brad black good info, at least now I know what's up. Kinda strange how the dealer wouldn't part with this info. they actually said the cam timing can't be done I'm not letting them touch the bike now. Have no clue on the Rexxer bike but there mapping seems near perfect for mine. I had a little wishful thinking about possibly gaining a little (cheap) power with the cam timing but it sounds like there's not much to be had there with the small cams. It would be nice to have a little more top end the Rexxer raised the rpm limit about 1200 rpms and that helped a bunch but we always want more.