Attractive Ducati thread

[RWebb]

nice start, gents but we need more of the classics, antiques...

[jwasbury]

[jwasbury]

[jwasbury]

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

MOM?

[Teutonics]

[Eric Coffey]

Originally Posted by nynor

the 999. one of the sexiest bikes ever made:

Did you mean to type that in green?

IMO the (Ducati) 999 is akin to the (Porsche) 996; A major step backwards in the design/looks department.

Now, the D16RR is a different story:

[gtc]

Someone PM Kai and tell him to get in here with his 998R.

[on2wheels52]

I was hoping to see a few of yours RW.
My sole Italian is a ratty V65sp.

Jim

[VaSteve]

Why do people b*tch about doing valve adjustments on these bikes? In concept, isn't it similar to doing a valve adjust on a 911, except for laying on your back and 12 quarts of oil?

[Flieger]

Just don't drop a valve while you are adjusting the closer.

4V Desmo Adjustment - Ducati.ms - The Ultimate Ducati Forum

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by VINMAN

^^^^

You can always tell the single guys!..

well you guys got the good ones!

[Wyvern]

Mine is a different "Beast" in the Duc family

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

Why do people b*tch about doing valve adjustments on these bikes? In concept, isn't it similar to doing a valve adjust on a 911, except for laying on your back and 12 quarts of oil?

It's not even close to being the same process. There are no adjustment screws - clearances are set by shims. The rocker arms must be removed to change out the shims. The tank, seat, and fairings must be removed before the rocker covers can be removed. On some models, the rear upper shock mount has to come loose as well, so the bike has to be supported by something other than the swing arm in back. Oh, and that horizontal (front) cylinder pipe? It's right where you want to put the floor jack to do that. It's a lot more involved than doing a 911.

[jwasbury]

Actually the adjustment on a 2V duc is pretty easy. On the early monster you only need to remove the seat to gain access to the valve covers. The rocker arm does not need to be removed, but you must slide it aside to change out the shim. You just pry off the spring clip that keeps the rocker centered on its shaft. Closing shims are more difficult, but they've never needed adjusting on my bike (30k miles). The nice thing about the Ducati desmo valve train is that the lack of heavy return springs means that adjustments are seldom necessary. My bike needed a few adjustments in the 1st 10k miles or so, but none in the last 20k.

4v heads are a different story as I believe camshafts need to come out to change shims.

[Jeff Higgins]

I've found the same thing on my Super Sport (oh, and there is a lot more crap in the way on these than on Monsters) - after an initial adjustment right after I bought it, I've put over 30,000 miles on it with no further adjustments needed. I check it every year (along with replacing the belts - cheap insurance), but they are always fine. So, my $250 shim kit just sits...

[Flieger]

I was amazed when I first saw that thread on the Ducati forums.

[Bill Douglas]

Duh, silly ole me, it's a moto guzzi.

[Flieger]

Guzzis are righteous, too, their just not a Desmo. My hierarchy is 1. Ducati Bevel 2. BMW HP2 3. BMW boxer- air cooled, shaft drive, almost a Porsche 4. Ducati 748-996 series 5. Ducati 1198R

[cnielsen]

Well it's a Duc frame and tank