Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
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- Posts: 94
- Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:20 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1993
- Location: Nashville TN
Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
Hi guys, I just wanted some opinions on whether or not I should try to tackle adjusting the valves myself, or going to my local dealer. I am fairly knowledgeable and not afraid to tackle a job, as long as I have some guidance. I changed my timing belts with all of your help! Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Warm regards, Paul
Warm regards, Paul
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- Posts: 21
- Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2007 12:00 am
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1993
- Location: SF Bay Area
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
Be brave you can do this! Save money buy tools!!! The best references I have found:
Ducati 600, 620, 750 & 900 2 Valve V Twins 91-05, Haynes
Ducati Desmodue/Desmotre Maintenance & Modification Guide, LT Snyder
YouTube, many various step by step videos demonstrate this entire process
LT Snyder actually rates the job according to your mechanical skills. If you still feel uncomfortable, a local Duc mechanic or dealer will lighten your wallet accordingly.
Ducati 600, 620, 750 & 900 2 Valve V Twins 91-05, Haynes
Ducati Desmodue/Desmotre Maintenance & Modification Guide, LT Snyder
YouTube, many various step by step videos demonstrate this entire process
LT Snyder actually rates the job according to your mechanical skills. If you still feel uncomfortable, a local Duc mechanic or dealer will lighten your wallet accordingly.
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- Posts: 94
- Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:20 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1993
- Location: Nashville TN
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
I appreciate it. I was surprised that the timing belts weren't worse than they were. I have the Haynes manual. I guess I have just heard so many tales about adjusting the valves, that I am a little gun shy!
- ducinthebay
- paso grand pooh-bah
- Posts: 1323
- Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2005 12:00 am
- model: 750 Sport
- year: 1990
- Location: SF Bay Area
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
My local shop does if for $150 plus parts if he has to change some of them. He's faster than I would be, and since valve adjustment is a bit of a touch/feel thing, I leave it to him. The interval that Ducati recommends is only applicable if you run at redline a lot. Otherwise, you can easily double the interval. Last time the ST4 was in, he adjusted only one out of the 16 shims possible. And that was over 10k miles. Using good shims helps lengthen the interval. (EMS, not stock) http://emsduc.com/
Cheers, Phil
Cheers, Phil
Duc in the Bay
1990 750 Sport x2-Rosso Blanko (900ss copy) & Nuovo Nudo (Scrambler project)
1991 907 -mostly stock
2002 ST4s - Lots of mods.
1990 750 Sport x2-Rosso Blanko (900ss copy) & Nuovo Nudo (Scrambler project)
1991 907 -mostly stock
2002 ST4s - Lots of mods.
- higgy
- paso grand pooh-bah
- Posts: 3328
- Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:50 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1992
- Location: Hilltown,Pennsylvania
- Contact:
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
for the price you will pay to have it done you can buy a shim kit and MBP collars and do it your self and take yourself out to dinner
Ducati,making mechanics out of riders since 1946
There's no problem so bad that a little fixing can't make it worse! : )
If it ain't broke keep fixin it till it is
88 750
90 906
92 907ie
There's no problem so bad that a little fixing can't make it worse! : )
If it ain't broke keep fixin it till it is
88 750
90 906
92 907ie
-
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:20 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1993
- Location: Nashville TN
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
Thank you guys, as always, you are such a big help. I will et you know how it goes!
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- Posts: 94
- Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:20 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1993
- Location: Nashville TN
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
One question for you guys, I went on the EMS website, do I need to order the 8mm MBP retainers? I don't see the 907ie listed for this kit.
Regards, Paul
Regards, Paul
- higgy
- paso grand pooh-bah
- Posts: 3328
- Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:50 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1992
- Location: Hilltown,Pennsylvania
- Contact:
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
Mike is super easy to deal with,just ask him he will make sure you get exactly what you need
Questions?
Use the form below to email us or call us at (916) 996-7185
Monday-Saturday: 8:00AM to 6:00PM Pacific Time Zone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIj3nSJGPZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WQY1MRlmH4
two worthwhile videos
Questions?
Use the form below to email us or call us at (916) 996-7185
Monday-Saturday: 8:00AM to 6:00PM Pacific Time Zone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIj3nSJGPZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WQY1MRlmH4
two worthwhile videos
Ducati,making mechanics out of riders since 1946
There's no problem so bad that a little fixing can't make it worse! : )
If it ain't broke keep fixin it till it is
88 750
90 906
92 907ie
There's no problem so bad that a little fixing can't make it worse! : )
If it ain't broke keep fixin it till it is
88 750
90 906
92 907ie
-
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:20 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1993
- Location: Nashville TN
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
Thank you Higgy, I appreciate all of the info. I just ordered everything from EMS. Mike was a big help.
- Sergio Desmo
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Sat Dec 26, 2015 2:41 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1992
- Location: Switzerland
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
Which clearance do you intentend to use for opening and closing ?
You are right to do it yourself if you have interest into knowing how it works and save big bucks. Shall you have other Ducati, it is a bit time consuming but such a satisfaction to have a sweet reward as DIY gives you more intimacy with your bike. The EMS kit is definitely a super option.
Take your time to do it right and enjoy
You are right to do it yourself if you have interest into knowing how it works and save big bucks. Shall you have other Ducati, it is a bit time consuming but such a satisfaction to have a sweet reward as DIY gives you more intimacy with your bike. The EMS kit is definitely a super option.
Take your time to do it right and enjoy
-
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:20 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1993
- Location: Nashville TN
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
I am not sure which clearance to use. Do you have any recommendations on this?
- Sergio Desmo
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Sat Dec 26, 2015 2:41 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1992
- Location: Switzerland
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
Well unless mistaking, you may consider 0.1 mm for opening and 0.00 to 0.02mm for closing. I am sorry, i do not know what it gives in US metrics. Haynes book will probably enlight you on the topic.
- Derek
- paso grand pooh-bah
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:13 am
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1994
- Location: Scotland
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
Manual says 0.004", inlet and exhaust
All closers : 0.000 - 0.0007". I'd be happy with the later 2V spec of 0.002" or less.
Less than 0.002" is virtually impossible to measure, so for the closers, make sure they are free to turn when the closing rocker is depressed.
All closers : 0.000 - 0.0007". I'd be happy with the later 2V spec of 0.002" or less.
Less than 0.002" is virtually impossible to measure, so for the closers, make sure they are free to turn when the closing rocker is depressed.
1994 907ie
2017 Supersport 939
2015 Scrambler Classic
1982 Pantah 500SL (now sold)
Scotland
2017 Supersport 939
2015 Scrambler Classic
1982 Pantah 500SL (now sold)
Scotland
- higgy
- paso grand pooh-bah
- Posts: 3328
- Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:50 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1992
- Location: Hilltown,Pennsylvania
- Contact:
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
One additional note when ordering shim kits. It is always helpful when ordering a shim kit to know the range of shims you have installed to be sure you order the right range of shims to do the adjustment. Should you find you have ordered the wrong range, at least when ordering from EMS. Mike will swap them for you for the price of postage.
Ducati,making mechanics out of riders since 1946
There's no problem so bad that a little fixing can't make it worse! : )
If it ain't broke keep fixin it till it is
88 750
90 906
92 907ie
There's no problem so bad that a little fixing can't make it worse! : )
If it ain't broke keep fixin it till it is
88 750
90 906
92 907ie
-
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:20 pm
- model: 907 I.E.
- year: 1993
- Location: Nashville TN
Re: Valve adjustment - do it myself or dealer??
Thank you guys. I appreciate all of the feedback!