Checking Valve Clearances...DIY Likes!

[eonan]

I 'was' going to start this post with an apology for asking too many questions, but I have changed my mind. Everything I have learnt about my bike has come from reading discussions on this site, so hopefully there's a chance that the benefits will extend beyond my good self.

The question then: Do any of you do your own valve clearance checking, and correcting should they need it? I've read the Haynes and it seems straight forward enough, but then I know sh*t! I mean by the looks of the manual surely any semi competant mechanic would have no problem at all with my bike. Why the hell do so many non Ducati 'specialists' seem to melt at the mere mention of the 'D' word?

[A Yerbury]

the haynes is good, as is ducati sweety fellah. Had mine done recently (it was too cold to be farting about with shims) anyway 25k on and mine were fine? but give it a go, desmo and all that.

[Pugi]

I have the same approach as you. I am a n00b at servicing but am currently doing it on my own and so far it's a doodle. I'm going to check them myself and hand it in if somethings wrong. Since the clearances a set by shims I shouldn't be fiddling with it...not in a few more years at least. However, valve clearances shouldn't be out of bounds unless something has worn, which is a very bad thing and needs to be looked upon by someone who knows his thing. If good oil has been used and changed regularly we should be ok?
Unless under warranty there is no way I'm paying the service costs I've seen for something I can do myself in a few hours.

[Shauns4]

I
The question then: Do any of you do your own valve clearance checking, and correcting should they need it? I mean by the looks of the manual surely any semi competant mechanic would have no problem at all with my bike.

you should only use someone who is familiar with Ducati's, they clearances and adjustment are not run of the mill, its not difficult but different.

[Zimbo]

I check mine and do some shimming, but if the bike needs more than one or two I take it to get done by somebody who has the full kit.
Checking is easy, especially if you're doing the belts at the same time. You do need a decent set of feeler gauges though.

[Pedro]

Piece of cake! But.. you do need to have some decent tools, mechanical knowledge, patience and some means of measuring shims that is accurate if you do need to change any. Also, the clearances recommended in the Haynes book are not entirely correct as Ducati revised some data.

Did mine about two and a half years ago, 12500 miles and only need to change two during the head rebuild - reseated the vlaves.

Ped

[Fosse Foxfight]

As the learned colleagues point out checking the clearances is pretty straight forward, but Zimbo give the gem of knowledge here.....a GOOD set of feeler gauges. I have checked sets of feeler gauges before and found anywhere up to 0.2mm errors. Get a set of Britool or Sn*p On (if you must)...most feelers are ok for gapping spark plugs but for tight tolerances (weh hey) get summat good.

[manwithredbike]

http://www.buschandbusch.com/ducatisuite/valves.html

also try this site out.

snap - just checking to see if that passed the dirty word filter or was it f.f.s typing

[manwithredbike]

phew! that's a relief

[A Yerbury]

As the learned colleagues point out checking the clearances is pretty straight forward, but Zimbo give the gem of knowledge here.....a GOOD set of feeler gauges. I have checked sets of feeler gauges before and found anywhere up to 0.2mm errors. Get a set of Britool or Sn*p On (if you must)...most feelers are ok for gapping spark plugs but for tight tolerances (weh hey) get summat good.


If you are ever at a loose end and pondering the "meaning of it all" whilst staring down a bottle of paracetamol and flea powder, I have some feeler gauges in need of a thorough, going over, I mean really! Will, listen to this!!

:ymca: look at his lil tache.

[Pugi]

Also, the clearances recommended in the Haynes book are not entirely correct as Ducati revised some data.


Where can the correct clearances be found then?

[Fosse Foxfight]

I have some feeler gauges in need of a thorough, going over, I mean really! Will, listen to this!!
.
Alex dear chap, I will most definitively give your jolly old feeler gauges the once over and feel grateful for the chance.

ooh la la

[Fosse Foxfight]

Where can the correct clearances be found then?
Tis to be found in the Cave of Dearg Dun, where tis said that the book be guarded by a beast so ferocious.......errr this is getting a bit Tim the Enchanter...now reckon you should look up or give the chaps at Sigma Racing a ring about this. They'll tell you the desired info.

ta ra

[A Yerbury]

I have two sets and get this...one of them is a bit rusty! (try not to slap yourself to much)

[Fosse Foxfight]

I have two sets and get this...one of them is a bit rusty! (try not to slap yourself to much)

That'll be the retro chic set?

[Pedro]

Where can the correct clearances be found then?


Got them at home somewhere, pm me your email addy and I'll send em over.

[klause]

Got them at home somewhere, pm me your email addy and I'll send em over.

Wouldn't mind them either.:look:

[Pedro]

Doh! Notes are on my old pooter, will fish them out over the weekend!

Ped

[gary tompkins]

I have a copy of the original and updated haynes here, but if you say the clearances given are wrong it's not much use posting them?

[ijr900]

valve clearances get smaller as the valves hammer thier way into the seats.when i did mine on a yamaha fzr 600 some years ago all the shims needed replacing,as this was going to be expensive i decided to open up the gaps by rubbing the shims on an oilstone,a while later i spoke to a guy that raced sidecars with fzr running gear,he said this is what he did for both his race engines. shims 8 pounds each,times 16

[Rockhopper]

Thats an okay way of doing it. Remember though that Ducati's have opening and closing shims so one of them will need to get bigger if the other gets smaller.
I think.