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Are you using genuine Ducati belts or an alternative? If you're going aftermarket, then the Ducati recommended tension may not be correct for the replacements.
For example, I've recently bought some ExactFit belts for the first time (not yet fitted). For the Evo, the workshop manual specifies a frequency of 140Hz for new belts. However, ExactFit say their belts should be 99Hz.
Like you, I don't have access to a frequency measurer, so I sent the following enquiry to Stuart at ExactUK:
"One quick question, you recommend a tension of 99Hz but I don't have the facility to measure frequency. Can I use the old tried and tested allen key method instead? If so, will a 5mm key give me the recommended tension? And no difference in tension between horizontal and vertical cylinders?"
And he replied straightaway:
"Yes many use the tried and trusted Allen key method so no problem there.
Both tensions are set the same.
If you have a smart phone you can get a free App for the Hz reading - it’s called Gates Carbon Drive 👍
Our tension is slightly less than OEM as our belts stretch less."
(Great service from ExactUK by the way.)
So, when I do fit them, I'll use the old allen key method as mentioned by slob.
If you look at the workshop manual, there is a very wide operating window for the belts. New (for the Evo), they are 140Hz and, if you are retensioning used belts, they are 100Hz. And you don't have to retension until they drop to 70Hz, which is half the new frequency.
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