ducatipaso.org

How long lasts the timing belts before they have to be changed?
I had mine changed three years ago but have not been able to
ride my pride and joy cery much since then, should I have them changed or can they last another summer? Krakan

krakan wrote:How long lasts the timing belts before they have to be changed?
I had mine changed three years ago but have not been able to
ride my pride and joy cery much since then, should I have them changed or can they last another summer? Krakan

Krakan,

Recommended service interval for 907 timing belts is every 20,000 kilometers, (12,000 miles), or every 2 years, which ever comes first.

I've always been skeptical about the "2 year thing", but Ducati says the belts can dry rot, (especially if the bike has been sitting), and must be replaced every two years even if they don't have 20,000 kilometers on them. I've gone longer than 2 years w/o replacing them, but not w/o checking them first to make sure they were in good shape.

So, per Ducati, if it's been 3 years since they were last changed, your belts need to be replaced regardless of the miles put on them. How many miles/kilometers were put on the bike in the last 3 years? If it wasn't a lot, I'd check them out. If they look good, you could get more milage out of them.

Peace, Elton

You should change them just to be safe. It's really hard to tell if they are going bad and if they break it's some serious damage that will be done.

They are not an expensive item. Here in the states it's about $60 for a set and it really take just 1/2 hour to change both of them. It takes longer to strip the bodywork off and put it back on!!

If you have some mechanical skill you can do this. It really is super easy. Here are some instructions: http://www.ducatisuite.com/beltchange.html

If you have any questions just SHOUT!

jcslocum wrote:You should change them just to be safe. It's really hard to tell if they are going bad and if they break it's some serious damage that will be done.

Jon's right about that. The desmodomic valves on the 907 will not clear the piston head if the belt breaks. Unlike the valves on some engines, on the 907 if the valve opens when the piston is at TDC, the piston head will hit the valve. If the belt snaps, the valve will likely open when the piston is at TDC, causing major damage to both the valve assembly and piston.

Jon, why is it hard to tell if the belts are gong bad? Wouldn't this be evident with a careful visual inspection? (Of course, if you're gonna take the time to strip the plastic and remove the belt covers in order to inspect them, why not just replace them? Half the job is done.) But that aside, wouldn't cracks and/or wear be evident w/ a visual inspection?

I never put 12,000 miles on any of my 907s during a 2 year period, and I find it aggravating to replace belts every 2 years that only have a few thousand miles on them. I've pushed the 2 year limit a bit, but always felt uncomfortable about it. I know the consequences of a snapped belt, and yet, I can't believe that a timing belt with only a couple thousand miles on it magically becomes bad after only 2 years. What's so different about these belts? I've examined the belts I've replaced. They always look fine to me. And they certainly don't look any different than the belts used in many industrial applications. If I only had 10,000 miles on my Mazda after 10 years, I wouldn't replace the timing belt just 'cause 10 years had gone by. What, (other than the potential damage from a belt failure), makes the 907 belts so special?

(BTW Jon, I took delivery of the 1098. Sweet! I'll bring it to the Desmo picnic in August. That is, unless you think of an appropriate catagory for the 907! "Sport Touring" doesn't work. The 907 ends up being compared to a bunch of STs. And it's not quite a "Classic" either. Last year, "Classic" was pre-1990, which precluded the 907ie. And, in any case, comparing the 907 to bevel drives doesn't really work either. How about a separate catagory for Pasos? Give us a "Paso" catagory at the Desmo picnic and I'll bring 'em all!)

Peace, Elton

I just got my 907 outta service yesterday and had the works done, new clutch, hoses, filters, fluids, lazer calibrated, chain, new voltage regulator, valves adjusted........etc. However sticking to the thread topic, my guy also said the belts should also be changed every two years no matter the milage. I also agree this sucks but the alternative is way worse!!! I only had 3500 miles on it since 2004!! So, I will change the belts next oil change.

I will add that my total bill was $1098 and thats not too bad considering all that was done.......but my baby runs like a new machine but the most interesting and nice thing is the fact that after my clutch was replaced and adjusted properly it is very quite and doesn't rattle hardy at all.....really smooth shifting and very low noise at idle..........goodbye dry clutch rattle!!!!!!!

I will be at the beach in South Carolina sporting the paso to my Harley buds and showing em my tail lights :neener:

Yank907 wrote:........goodbye dry clutch rattle!!!!!!!

I wouldnt EVER let that "rattle and hum" go away from my Ducatis, cause its one of the most important thing in Ducatis... "CHARACTER, what hondas dont have".... I LOVE open clutch covers and just that "sound of dry clutch"... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

.... and i think, everybody can change they belts as often, as they want.... Anyway stupid to change them "too often"... :laugh: ...and too late surely! :laugh: one of easiest jobs with Ducati...

750 Paso was first new area "Sport touring Ducati", then came 906, 907IE, ST2, ST4, ST3, ST4s, all are in "Sport Touring category" ...locigal... newer bike=>more power and good "stuff"

Finnpaso wrote:

Yank907 wrote:........goodbye dry clutch rattle!!!!!!!

I wouldnt EVER let that "rattle and hum" go away from my Ducatis, cause its one of the most important thing in Ducatis... "CHARACTER, what hondas dont have".... I LOVE open clutch covers and just that "sound of dry clutch"... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:



.... and i think, everybody can change they belts as often, as they want.... Anyway stupid to change them "too often"... :laugh: ...and too late surely! :laugh: one of easiest jobs with Ducati...


750 Paso was first new area "Sport touring Ducati", then came 906, 907IE, ST2, ST4, ST3, ST4s, all are in "Sport Touring category" ...locigal... newer bike=>more power and good "stuff"

The rattle is not important to me I would rather hear my stainless and aluminum exhaust pump that sweet Ducati rumble while at the stop light......heck maybe you don't have it adjusted correctly?? Of course!! What am I thinking of course you have it adjusted correctly, I forgot who you were, please forgive me, lol.

Thats the point of the thread...... when to change and what do most service experts recommend, The point was that it is smart not stupid to change them every two years if you can afford it or have the knowledge to do so. So, sense I CAN'T UNDERSTAND what you are trying to say (everybody can change they belts as often, as they want.... Anyway stupid to change them "too often") WTH??......what is your opinion on the time or milage for changing your belts?? The general opinion so far is every two years or 12,000 miles

Yank907 wrote:

Finnpaso wrote:

Yank907 wrote:........goodbye dry clutch rattle!!!!!!!

I wouldnt EVER let that "rattle and hum" go away from my Ducatis, cause its one of the most important thing in Ducatis... "CHARACTER, what hondas dont have".... I LOVE open clutch covers and just that "sound of dry clutch"... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Not important to me......heck maybe you don't have it adjusted correctly?? Of course!! What am I thinking of course you have it adjusted correctly, I forgot who you were, please forgive me, lol.

.... and i think, everybody can change they belts as often, as they want.... Anyway stupid to change them "too often"... :laugh: ...and too late surely! :laugh: one of easiest jobs with Ducati...

Thats the point of the thread...... when to change and what do most service experts recommend, The point was that it is smart not stupid to change them every two years if you can afford it or have the knowledge to do so. So, sense I CAN'T UNDERSTAND what you are trying to say (everybody can change they belts as often, as they want.... Anyway stupid to change them "too often") WTH??......what is your opinion on the time or milage for changing your belts?? The general opinion so far is every two years or 12,000 miles

750 Paso was first new area "Sport touring Ducati", then came 906, 907IE, ST2, ST4, ST3, ST4s, all are in "Sport Touring category" ...locigal... newer bike=>more power and good "stuff"

<--------what???

LMAO!!!

Elton,

Here's what I've been told so I have no full first hand engineering knowledge. The Ducati belts turn a tighter radius AND run at higher tensions. This is the reason for changing them due to time or miles.

Ducati has run tests to find the failure point as any manufacturer does and this is what they reccomend. My A6 reccomends every 60K and I have heard of belts breaking at 70K. With an Audi, you just do it.

The Paso is gaining ground as a collector bike and if you want to manage the Paso crowd and get more than 6 bikes to the show I'll make a "Paso only" catagory.

I know of at least 3 more in the Club who would come out. We can make a special Trophy too. Any others out there want to bring your Paso to the DESMO (NYC area) bike show in August??

http://www.desmoducati.org/bbq2006recap.html#pictures

It's a great time. Plenty of BBQ and a bike show that is growing. Last year we had 4 F1's in the show. Amazing.

Thank`s yuo all, I´ll order a set of belts and change them
myself, it doesn`t look to difficult. I am in no hurry so I
can take all the time that I need. I will let you know how it
goes. Krakan 907 RED

Finnpaso wrote:I wouldnt EVER let that "rattle and hum" go away from my Ducatis, cause its one of the most important thing in Ducatis... "CHARACTER, what hondas dont have".... I LOVE open clutch covers and just that "sound of dry clutch"... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Finnpaso wrote:.... and i think, everybody can change they belts as often, as they want.... Anyway stupid to change them "too often"... :laugh: ...and too late surely! :laugh: one of easiest jobs with Ducati...

Why risk in vain an huge damage?

Ciao

I drive one period with my 750 Paso 43 000kms/5 years with one set of belts(& when i changed them: not hardened, no any"cracks"inside/outside of belts), so that was, what i mean. I think more important is to keep them just right tight. Anyway people can change them 4 times/year, if want... :laugh:

Krakan, if U need any advices/have problems to adjust belts, let me know BY PM. Its very simple job...

my baby runs like a new machine but the most interesting and nice thing is the fact that after my clutch was replaced and adjusted properly it is very quite and doesn't rattle hardy at all.....really smooth shifting and very low noise at idle..........goodbye dry clutch rattle!!!!!!!

Perhaps the answer

From the crazed riders of Mass.
the Ducati factory clutch update -- a factory upgrade to the clutch pack for all '91 and '92 dry clutch machines that was made standard on the '93s. The update kit is amusing: it's one plate, a special slightly convex one, and instructions on how to reorder the plates in the clutch pack. You take one out, you shuffle the deck and viola! smoother, quieter engagement is supposed to result.

The '91 and '92 904cc motors were equipped with a clutch which had flat pressure plates, dual sided friction plates, one convex pressure plate and one specially thick, single sided friction plate. Somewhere around late '92 or early '93, Ducati revised the clutch pack. The revision is to toss the thick friction plate, add another convex pressure plate, and shuffle the pack a little bit. This upgraded clutch pack is a warranty/ upgrade item and should be available free of charge from your dealer to my knowledge.

The new pack is installed thus:

(cover side -------> engine side)

Pp - Fr - Fl - Fr - Sp> - Fr - Fl - ... - Fr - <Sp - Fr - Fl - Fl - Ba


where:

Pp - Pressure Plate

Fr - dual sided friction plate

Fl - Flat pressure plate

Ba - clutch basket/hub

Sp - convex or spring pressure plate. These plates are distinguishable by a single dot on one of the spline tangs, on one side only. The directional arrow ("Sp>" or "<Sp") indicates which direction the dot should face.

... - continue alternating however many Fr and Fl plates in between

Got my new belts today, they have the red lettering on them.
It say´s Ducati motor 737.4002.1a on them and they seem to be
manufactured by PowerGrip HTD. Now all that is needed is some
time and patience. However my tinkering with my bike is on hold
for the moment, lot´s of work and a leaking roof in my shed with
some (and for sure no dry rot) ment I had to take down a wall and
build a new, also new roof. So bike have to wait. But on the up side
of all I got the opportunity to buy a whole set of new leathers of a
friend who bought it new last year. Somehow it had shrunk during
the winter..... (lucky me!) Bargain price. Good friend!!! Even if he is
a triumph guy. Krakan 907 RED

Ducman wrote:my baby runs like a new machine but the most interesting and nice thing is the fact that after my clutch was replaced and adjusted properly it is very quite and doesn't rattle hardy at all.....really smooth shifting and very low noise at idle..........goodbye dry clutch rattle!!!!!!!

As you put mileage on the bike, the rattle will come back. It should be back before you know it. As the tabs on the plates and the basket get larger and larger, the noise gets louder and louder. Just the way it is with dry clutches. I have 26,000 miles on the clutch on my ST2 and it makes quite a bit of racket....even with the stock, fully-enclosed, clutch cover. I'd hate to hear it with an open cover! :laugh: