Timing belt replacement

[paulmozzi]

Hi guys, I am going to try to replace my timing belts, and I have a set I got from the old owner, but I don't know how old they are. Can you guys tell me if these go bad with age? I don't know if I should buy a new set, or use the O.E. belts he gave me. The bike has 18,000 miles, and the belts are the originals. They were never changed. Any advice with these would be appreciated. Have a great weekend!
Cheers Paul

[higgy]

according to the " Official Gates Internal Memorandum" the average shelf life of a belt is 8 years.
Of course your mileage may vary And this of course is the on the shelf life, not on the bike life

[paulmozzi]

Thank you higgy. I think it would be wise to buy a new set!

[riascns]

Belts may have a shelf life of 8 years, but a service life of 3 on the bike, and less if left sitting for long periods.

Time to change your belts

[paulmozzi]

I am not sure why the original owner never changed them. I didn't want to use the belts he gave me, if there was a possibility that they would fail prematurely. I am going to try to tackle this job myself. I appreciate the info and advice. Ride safe!

[jcslocum]

It's an easy job, just take your time.

http://www.ducatisuite.com/beltchange.html

[Ducolaf]

I am ordering parts as well for a belt change, mine were replaced in 2008 together with oil, oilfolter, sparkplugs and airfilter.
Looking up the partsnumbers in the catalog at the motorcycle shop, all parts pointed out belts are the same as on the 916. Strange to me, as this is a DOHC and 907 has a SOCS. (Single Overhead Cam Shaft). Is the catalog mistaken? To my opinion a 900 SS belt should be more likely. Please help me out on this . . .

Sparkplugs are replaced using NGK Irridium ones, like them on my 900 SSC. Oil will be 10W50 full synthetic from ELF, airfilter has been replaced with a K&N. Oilfilter will be standard Ducati. Will be using a Forte Motoroil flush cleaner before the oilchange and for winter storage the Forte 2 bottle in the tank.
Also thinking of a new coolant in the system as this is 2008 as well. Thinking of using the Evans waterless coolant. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRLXKW2ph0w

Oil always is a lot of discussions, so any experience or advice?

[Derek]

Looking up the partsnumbers in the catalog at the motorcycle shop, all parts pointed out belts are the same as on the 916. Strange to me, as this is a DOHC and 907 has a SOCS. (Single Overhead Cam Shaft). Is the catalog mistaken? To my opinion a 900 SS belt should be more likely. Please help me out on this . . .

The belts for the 907 are the same as for the 900SS, ST2 and 900 Monster with 70 teeth. The current part no. is 737.4.002.1A
The belts for the 916 have 95 teeth and are part no. was 737.4.005.1A, superceded by 737.4.011.1B. This will be the same for the 851, 888, 748 to 2000 and the 996 engines.
The belts for the ST4, ST4s, MS4, MS4R and 748 from 2001 with the dropped exhaust cam have a shorter 93 tooth belt.

[Ducolaf]

Thanks Derek, just as I thought. Got to cancel the order and make a correction so I can start taking of the ladies cloths . . .