Part 1: Learn how to adjust the valves of your Ducati. A series of DIY Ducati Maintenance Videos by Ducatitech.com. This video applies to all 2 Valve Ducatis.
Loved this video. It helped a lot and gave me the confidence to take the service manuals and a famous LT's book and dig in with everything ready...to find no adjustment necessary LOL oh well another 7500miles is not very far away. Your website was very informative and will still be collecting more tools to do more work as the miles stack up. Stay awesome!
nice video, just one important comment: when doing this procedure with the head attached to the cylinder , be sure to close the oil hole (can be seen right to the valve green oil seal) or else the shim keepers (2 cresent shaped metals) if fallen while taken out, can fall into it easily, and into the engine. if you do that on a built motor, you will be in big trouble. so watch out. always put a piece of cloth in the oil hole. not too small of a cloth, so you wont forget it inside.
perhaps recommend to push the closing arm and then ensure the valve has been pushed down against the arm, because you are measuering such a small clearance that the valve naturally "settling" as it is demonstated will not ensure that there is not a film of oil between giving a false reading, (.005+) just my advice take it our leave it. overall very good video, well presented and clear instruction.
@RicardoSS85: the desmodromic design is neither more or less reliable than using springs... either will fail if operated outside their design range. I consider Ducatis reasonably reliable... I've got a customer with over 100k miles on their air cooled Ducati Monster 900.
@pandice17 : yes is the same head. No, you don't always need new shims. Instead of a shim kit, you can bring your old shim and your measuring device with you to a shop and buy new shims there. Bring your measuring gear so you can measure your new shim before leaving the store.
Thanx for posting these vids. I have always been a little scared to do something like this myself on my S4R. I do a lot of stuff on my Vespa (wich is much esier of ourse) but i am just afraid i will mess my Duc up if i do a mistake. a Cool thing would be if you could also post some Desmoquattro vids that shows how to work on the 4 valve Ducatis. Anyways keep up the good work. Looking forward to see more stuff...
AimlessMoto that's kind of me every day. Given that's our first ever video, I'd like to think we've gotten slightly better even if I still can't stand the guy's talking. - Chris K
This looks like a very elegant design. How does this system hold up to very high mileage use? Is it often that owners of such a bike will drive it to very high mileages, or is this something that is strictly racy and rebuilt more often that conventional road going motorcycles?
Why didn't the .0015 feeler gauge fit when you checked the closing the classical way but when you measured at the opening side you determined the clearance to be .002?
@sandplasma from my own personal experience, you can begin to hear a light rattle sound and the closing clearance might increase and increase until the keeper breaks. This happens to me rarely. To continue on like this, the keeper could break up enough to fail and let the valve fall into the cylinder.
I always wondered how those valves were adjusted. It looks like different collets could be used to move the closing shim if they wanted. Ducati are to fiddly for my blood, I make my living workin on cars, so when it comes to my personal stuff it get's ignored as much as possible. So it's airheads forever for me, but thanks for the video, it was intresting and well presented. I rode a Multistrada and was leanin on the limiter every time I turned around, my old GS is kinda lethargic comparedto it
@stopglobalswarming : I personally know someone with over 100,000 miles on a 1994 Monster 900. As I tell customers, when the engine is not revved consistently to rev limiter, the closing shim keepers will work harden and settle in. On a couple 40,000+ mile 900s I have maintained, once past 20,000 miles, there were no more valve clearance adjustments, and I checked them only at 10,000 mile intervals.
*Please note, if you have a question about something in a video please email on contact us form on our shop website or call us at 619-501-2466 M-F between 2-6p PST and talk to Chris. Comments posted on the video page need approval before posting and we may not get to it for a few weeks. Emailing or calling us directly ensures you get an answer withing 48 hours.
Are desmodromic 4 valve Ducatis less reliable than "normal" valve-spring bikes (I'm thinking specifically about the Monster 796 vs. Triumph Street Triple)? What about the fact that they're air cooled - does that also make them less reliable? Thank you very much.
@jamesfullsteamahead : I bought those off of the Cornwell tool truck that frequented the shop circa 1995. I haven't seen anything like them since. They come 3 to a pack in different colors.
very good video, So the top shim is super easy to replace but for the bottom not so much but not impossible for the average home mechanic. this setup is similar to the ducati scrambler, but according to the workshop it suggest to remove the shaft of the opening rocker. but since you were rotating the camshaft to check the lower shim do you need or is advised to remove the timing belts for the adjustment of the valves? does ducati's have timing marks as found on cars? the piston should be near or at TDC just in case if the valve drops when you remove the lower shim?
I'd agree it's a good idea to have the piston near TDC if you're worried about dropping it. I did have a customer call up when he had dropped his valve into the cylinder. He was able to fish it back into place via the valve's port. (I think it was intake valve on a 900)
*Please note, if you have a question about something in a video please email on contact us form on our shop website or call us at 619-501-2466 M-F between 2-6p PST and talk to Chris. Comments posted on the video page need approval before posting and we may not get to it for a few weeks. Emailing or calling us directly ensures you get an answer withing 48 hours.
great vid. but I for some reason cannot on my 2008 multistrada 1100s slide over both of the opening shims at the same time. only one at a time??? any ideas?
*Please note, if you have a question about something in a video please email on contact us form on our shop website or call us at 619-501-2466 M-F between 2-6p PST and talk to Chris. Comments posted on the video page need approval before posting and we may not get to it for a few weeks. Emailing or calling us directly ensures you get an answer withing 48 hours.
No, thanks. I will stick to horizontally opposed 2's, with a regular valve train, thank you; or anything with a conventional valve train. This is more complex than it needs to be. Give me a valve spring any day.
+Elshilai the process and functions are the same, but the actual components are slightly different. We did get in a 696 head which I can use to film the valve adjust process for 1100, 1000, 796, 696 models.
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Loved this video. It helped a lot and gave me the confidence to take the service manuals and a famous LT's book and dig in with everything ready...to find no adjustment necessary LOL oh well another 7500miles is not very far away.
Your website was very informative and will still be collecting more tools to do more work as the miles stack up. Stay awesome!
nice video, just one important comment:
when doing this procedure with the head attached to the cylinder , be sure to close the oil hole (can be seen right to the valve green oil seal) or else the shim keepers (2 cresent shaped metals) if fallen while taken out, can fall into it easily, and into the engine.
if you do that on a built motor, you will be in big trouble.
so watch out. always put a piece of cloth in the oil hole. not too small of a cloth, so you wont forget it inside.
perhaps recommend to push the closing arm and then ensure the valve has been pushed down against the arm, because you are measuering such a small clearance that the valve naturally "settling" as it is demonstated will not ensure that there is not a film of oil between giving a false reading, (.005+) just my advice take it our leave it. overall very good video, well presented and clear instruction.
Thanks from Belarus. Watch several times and will make it our selves) Great job!
What is 4000 nth of an inch in decimal? 0.004?
@RicardoSS85: the desmodromic design is neither more or less reliable than using springs... either will fail if operated outside their design range. I consider Ducatis reasonably reliable... I've got a customer with over 100k miles on their air cooled Ducati Monster 900.
@pandice17 : yes is the same head. No, you don't always need new shims. Instead of a shim kit, you can bring your old shim and your measuring device with you to a shop and buy new shims there. Bring your measuring gear so you can measure your new shim before leaving the store.
Thanx for posting these vids. I have always been a little scared to do something like this myself on my S4R. I do a lot of stuff on my Vespa (wich is much esier of ourse) but i am just afraid i will mess my Duc up if i do a mistake. a Cool thing would be if you could also post some Desmoquattro vids that shows how to work on the 4 valve Ducatis.
Anyways keep up the good work. Looking forward to see more stuff...
My ADHD and OCD are at odds with everything going on here.
AimlessMoto that's kind of me every day. Given that's our first ever video, I'd like to think we've gotten slightly better even if I still can't stand the guy's talking. - Chris K
This looks like a very elegant design. How does this system hold up to very high mileage use? Is it often that owners of such a bike will drive it to very high mileages, or is this something that is strictly racy and rebuilt more often that conventional road going motorcycles?
Why didn't the .0015 feeler gauge fit when you checked the closing the classical way but when you measured at the opening side you determined the clearance to be .002?
@sandplasma from my own personal experience, you can begin to hear a light rattle sound and the closing clearance might increase and increase until the keeper breaks. This happens to me rarely. To continue on like this, the keeper could break up enough to fail and let the valve fall into the cylinder.
You didnt say the most important bit of the job... how you calculate the thickness of the new spacers of the valves...
thanks for the video !
How about doing a video for ST4 valve adjustment. This 2 valve video is great! Tx
How hard do you press down on the closing rocker arm when checking the closer gap?
I always wondered how those valves were adjusted. It looks like different collets could be used to move the closing shim if they wanted. Ducati are to fiddly for my blood, I make my living workin on cars, so when it comes to my personal stuff it get's ignored as much as possible. So it's airheads forever for me, but thanks for the video, it was intresting and well presented. I rode a Multistrada and was leanin on the limiter every time I turned around, my old GS is kinda lethargic comparedto it
@stopglobalswarming : I personally know someone with over 100,000 miles on a 1994 Monster 900. As I tell customers, when the engine is not revved consistently to rev limiter, the closing shim keepers will work harden and settle in. On a couple 40,000+ mile 900s I have maintained, once past 20,000 miles, there were no more valve clearance adjustments, and I checked them only at 10,000 mile intervals.
Hoping to someday have time for this. Thanks for the suggestion
Used to adjust valves in the Volkswagen basically the same way.
*Please note, if you have a question about something in a video please email on contact us form on our shop website or call us at 619-501-2466 M-F between 2-6p PST and talk to Chris. Comments posted on the video page need approval before posting and we may not get to it for a few weeks. Emailing or calling us directly ensures you get an answer withing 48 hours.
Are desmodromic 4 valve Ducatis less reliable than "normal" valve-spring bikes (I'm thinking specifically about the Monster 796 vs. Triumph Street Triple)? What about the fact that they're air cooled - does that also make them less reliable? Thank you very much.
Anyone know if I can use this procedure for my 2006 Ducati Multistrada 620? Do you always need a new shim kit as well?
@jamesfullsteamahead : I bought those off of the Cornwell tool truck that frequented the shop circa 1995. I haven't seen anything like them since. They come 3 to a pack in different colors.
Can Ducati tech. Get me a paper shop manual for various bikes? Especially for the 1199R.
No, that's your favorite dealer. Or Ducati Omaha, GP Motorcycles, Ducati Seattle. They're all friendly to people calling in.
Valve up/ valve down.... With a certain amount of clearance ... So so easy! Basic maths!
very good video, So the top shim is super easy to replace but for the bottom not so much but not impossible for the average home mechanic. this setup is similar to the ducati scrambler, but according to the workshop it suggest to remove the shaft of the opening rocker.
but since you were rotating the camshaft to check the lower shim do you need or is advised to remove the timing belts for the adjustment of the valves? does ducati's have timing marks as found on cars? the piston should be near or at TDC just in case if the valve drops when you remove the lower shim?
I'd agree it's a good idea to have the piston near TDC if you're worried about dropping it. I did have a customer call up when he had dropped his valve into the cylinder. He was able to fish it back into place via the valve's port. (I think it was intake valve on a 900)
What can happen if one doesnt adjust their valves at the right interval?
*Please note, if you have a question about something in a video please email on contact us form on our shop website or call us at 619-501-2466 M-F between 2-6p PST and talk to Chris. Comments posted on the video page need approval before posting and we may not get to it for a few weeks. Emailing or calling us directly ensures you get an answer withing 48 hours.
Ca Cycleworks do you sell shims for these?
So so easy... If you have 1/100000 of a brain!!!
Great video. I can't seem to find forceps as good as that . I wonder where you got them.
great vid. but I for some reason cannot on my 2008 multistrada 1100s slide over both of the opening shims at the same time. only one at a time??? any ideas?
*Please note, if you have a question about something in a video please email on contact us form on our shop website or call us at 619-501-2466 M-F between 2-6p PST and talk to Chris. Comments posted on the video page need approval before posting and we may not get to it for a few weeks. Emailing or calling us directly ensures you get an answer withing 48 hours.
Git a 3lb. hammer, 6" punch, and give dat sucker a good whack! Didn't move? Hit it harder!! Desmo's rock!
Does the oil have to be drained to perform this?
No.
Enjoyed your video, thank you !
I'm just wondering why so many people think this is a hard thing to do?????
No, thanks. I will stick to horizontally opposed 2's, with a regular valve train, thank you; or anything with a conventional valve train. This is more complex than it needs to be. Give me a valve spring any day.
Awesome video tutorial !!!Thank you man
Are those the same for a Ducati Scrambler valves?
+Elshilai the process and functions are the same, but the actual components are slightly different. We did get in a 696 head which I can use to film the valve adjust process for 1100, 1000, 796, 696 models.
+Ca Cycleworks doing that 696 would be awesome. Any chance you've been able to do it yet?
No. We just moved across the country and are still working on getting the fuel tanks' manufacture in the Atlanta area sorted out.
Ca Cycleworks hi, i'm really interested in the process for a 696, could you already do it?