New timing belts / valve adjustment interval? Miles vs Time

[Howie]

To be clear, I'm making no recommendations other than to explain my reasoning and, so far, my experience...ymmv

That said, even you admitted, factory maintenance intervals are CONSERVATIVE.

Yes I did.  Sorry if you thought I was referring to you.  If not, thanks for the clarification.

[Bishamon]

The master tech at my dealer has told me the belts don't need to be changed until the 4 year mark, assuming the mileage isn't too high.  I had to insist the belts on my Sport 1000 be changed after three years, but my 796 won't be changed until fall 2014, which is about the four year mark.

[metroplex]

The belts on my 696 are over 5 years old. It seems like a lot of work to even just inspect them, I might replace them if they are easy to do. I'm trying to find a DIY write-up for the 696 as I have never done this job before on a Ducati.

[Kev M]

Yes I did.  Sorry if you thought I was referring to you.  If not, thanks for the clarification.

Just making sure...it's all good.

[ducpainter]

The belts on my 696 are over 5 years old. It seems like a lot of work to even just inspect them, I might replace them if they are easy to do. I'm trying to find a DIY write-up for the 696 as I have never done this job before on a Ducati.

Consider the ramifications of not replacing them before you make a decision based on ease of replacement.

[Privateer]

i once ran a set of ca-cycleworks belts over 24,000 miles.  in fact it was more like 30,000.  That was in a little over 2 years.  I compared them to new ones when I replaced them and except for the logo being worn off they looked and felt just like new ones.  They were a tiny bit bigger/longer than the new ones, but less than 1/2".

However, OP, if your bike sits, the belts can allegedly deform around the pullies which might cause more trouble.  5 years?  That's beyond my comfort, but I guess it's not my bike.

There's a pretty good video chris kelley did about replacing the belts.  The vert cylinder is a pain in the ass, but otherwise I think the first time I did it was about a 90 minute job, from putting in on the rear stand to taking it off.

[NAKID]

i once ran a set of ca-cycleworks belts over 24,000 miles.  in fact it was more like 30,000.  That was in a little over 2 years.  I compared them to new ones when I replaced them and except for the logo being worn off they looked and felt just like new ones.  They were a tiny bit bigger/longer than the new ones, but less than 1/2".

However, OP, if your bike sits, the belts can allegedly deform around the pullies which might cause more trouble.  5 years?  That's beyond my comfort, but I guess it's not my bike.

There's a pretty good video chris kelley did about replacing the belts.  The vert cylinder is a pain in the ass, but otherwise I think the first time I did it was about a 90 minute job, from putting in on the rear stand to taking it off.

I can agree with this for my bike. It was sitting at my dad's house for 3 years while I was away in Japan. When I found out I was coming back, I called up Tom in Phoenix and had him pick up and service the bike. I didn't want to start it after it had sat for 3 years on those stock belts.

Now, I have the CCW belts now and ride between 600 and 750 a week. Like I said ~17k since last April. I'll continue to check them regularly...

[SpikeC]

 FWTW, when I picked up my current bike it had the original belts, 3000 miles, and was assembled in 2007. I got it in august of 2013. I rode it a little bit then installed the CWW belts, and the old ones looked perfect and the tension was good. I will be doing the job at Ducatis recommendation in the future.

[metroplex]

FWIW tire rubber is normally good for up to 10 years according to some major tire manufacturers. I understand there was an ABC news segment that said it is 6 years, but I physically contacted a bunch of tire OEMs to ask and they said no more than 10 years if the vehicle isn't driven much and is stored indoors outside of the elements. Kevlar reinforced rubber sounds like similar material to tires.

[ungeheuer]

FWIW tire rubber is normally good for up to 10 years according to some major tire manufacturers. I understand there was an ABC news segment that said it is 6 years, but I physically contacted a bunch of tire OEMs to ask and they said no more than 10 years if the vehicle isn't driven much and is stored indoors outside of the elements. Kevlar reinforced rubber sounds like similar material to tires.

They're both black.  

And since tyres are exposed to UV, if your belts are still under the stock belt covers..... by your logic they should last for decades   .

[Kev M]

They're both black.  

And since tyres are exposed to UV, if your belts are still under the stock belt covers..... by your logic they should last for decades   .

Well, Harley final drive belts are toothed, kevlar reinforced rubber belts, and can last for a decade or more, and 100k miles ...

[ungeheuer]

Well, Harley final drive belts are toothed, kevlar reinforced rubber belts, and can last for a decade or more, and 100k miles ...

Herpes lasts for life.  What's your point?
 

[Kev M]

Herpes lasts for life.  What's your point?
 

That the Harley final drive belt is as close to apples-to-apples as you find in the world of motorcycles.

It's a toothed belt, that, although not timed, does NOT jump teeth without failing.

It's under no less tension or stress.

It's under no less severe ambient operating conditions.

Yet lasts SIGNIFICANTLY longer than the seemingly uber-conservative replacement intervals of the Ducati timing belts.

Hell, let's look at autos. What timing belt equipped auto, working against significantly higher forces thanks to valve springs, has a replacement interval anywhere NEAR 2 years/15k miles.

They're more likely 50-90k miles with nothing less than maybe 5-10 years.

[Kev M]

PS, I've seen the commercials, you can take your herpes kayaking...

[ungeheuer]

Cool.  So some shit lasts longer (or is forecast to last longer) than some other seemingly similar shit.  Got it  .

I agree Ducati timing belt replacement schedules are conservative.

As conservative as the consequences of belt failure are nasty.