Ducatitech.com "HowTo" Adjust your Valves (Part 1)

[stopglobalswarming]

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?

[jamesfullsteamahead]

Great video. I can't seem to find forceps as good as that . I wonder where you got them.

[505197]

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

[serchmarc]

ey cacycleworkddotcom it is true that to tune this engine is extremely difficult ?or is just take your time and check and understand the manual?cause im reading and says is very difficult to assembly and tune is that right?

[cacycleworksdotcom]

@serchmarc : "easy" ? No different from any engine. Easy or hard I believe has more to do with the time required and peoples' perception of that. I'd certainly say it's easier than a valve adjustment on a 5-valve Yamaha FZ750.

[timbr33]

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.

[flipkev]

WOW, great videos! I've purchased from your site before (dynacoils) and was very pleased, now I see you have some DIY videos that I want to try out myself. Hopefully I'll record my experiences also, hope you're available to answer some questions when I try to do the valve clearance on my bike :)

[dennisasd2002]

Nice vid!

Can u tell me if this works the same for the v2 750 ss i.e 2002?

[golbis]

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.

[cacycleworksdotcom]

Yes -- forgot about blocking the hole. And it's not so bad if keepers fall in there ... they go to the bottom of the case and stick to the magnetic drain plug.

[locust64]

Great video! If you don't have a set of forceps handy a rubber band will also work to keep the valve in place. Is that a Darmah or Paso head?

[cacycleworksdotcom]

It is late 1990s 900ss or M750 head.

[MarcS4R]

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...

[daniaciofano]

thanks for the video. i have a 4 valve 916. i would like to see a video of you adjusting valves in situ....Any tips, especially back cylinder..

regards Vincenzo

[cacycleworksdotcom]

Hi Vicenzo,

Thanks for writing!

The 916 is quite similar, only you must try all different types of tools to push on the closing rocker arms. I did my 916 rear cylinder no problem. You remove lots of parts from the bike. I removed the throttle body assembly but did leave the intake manifolds in place.

Thanks,

Chris

[lane748]

Now I know how to do it- thanks!!

[smobag]

hey is this the same on all sportbikes? i.e. cbr 600 f4i?

[cacycleworksdotcom]

The theory of measuring opening clearances is the same for most engines; however the closing rocker arm is exclusive to Ducati and their desmodromic valve train.