I was curious to see if there was anyone in southern California that was competent in adjusting the valves for the 4v testa engine who would be willing to teach another board member how to. I'd be willing to pay of course. or maybe just allow me to help/observe while you do your own. thanks

The job requires some no small investment in tools and parts. Perhaps over $500.00 worth of stuff.  Are you ready for that?

$500?

Feeler gauges -$9
Screw driver set - $20
Hex key set - $10
plastic forceps- $3
a steel hooking device to grab the pin - $10
Digital caliper- $30 (cool to have too!)

Now the big $ is in the shim set, $350 for an EMS shim kit. But that will last multiple uses

You can spin the engine with your rear wheel. A bit of a hassel, but if your trying to save money by doing your own adjustments, then this is the way to go. Put it in 6th gear, pull the plugs and your good to go.

So how much does that tally? you can skip the EMS shim kit by going to a local duc dealer and trading shims. I know a local shop that does $20 flat fee for shim exchanges. You give them yours, you get the size you need.

I bought my bike intending to keep it for a long time. I am 100% ready to invest in whatever tools I may need in order to be able to work in my own bike rather then have someone else do it.

Quote from: MAXdB on July 19, 2008, 05:07:25 PM
I bought my bike intending to keep it for a long time. I am 100% ready to invest in whatever tools I may need in order to be able to work in my own bike rather then have someone else do it.

call ca-cycleworks and ask the nice lady who picks up (unless its chris) about an everything ducati tool kit and see how much your willing to spend.

http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/catalog/ducati/tools.html

hmm. i just saw they had an exahust pipe stretcing tool too....hello home made boom tubes without the need to weld? =D

I'm curious as to what is included in the everything tool kit.. i already own things like drive sockets and basic wrrench sizes and such but it would be tools that are specific to working on the valves and inside the ducati engine that I would need.

I helped a friend do a two-valve, can't imagine it's that much more complex. BUT if you want to do it the easy way, get an engine turning tool for $60 (it's what we used and easier than turning the wheel) available cheap from LT. Snyder, he also sells the shim kits, etc.

http://www.desmotimes.com/product52.htm

Chris

see if any of the local ducati shops have seminars on how to do the work.

I am on the wrong side of the country for you but am thinking of teaching ducati mechanics courses this winter. I would do a search in your area to see if someone is doing the same.

Quote from: MAXdB on July 19, 2008, 05:29:15 PM
I'm curious as to what is included in the everything tool kit.. i already own things like drive sockets and basic wrrench sizes and such but it would be tools that are specific to working on the valves and inside the ducati engine that I would need.

its not a tool kit persay, im just using it as a phrase. CA-cycleworks just sells alot of tools needed to do any type of service. Just tell him your needs and he will be able to refer you to the right set of tools that you can purchase.

thanks for the replies. I'll definitely look into all the tools. as far as looking for a dealership that will be holding seminars on the service, I feel like finding that would be next to impossible judging from my experience with the dealerships around here. the feeling i get from the ducati dealerships is that they don't want us to do any work on our own bikes.. but nonetheless, I'll keep searching for something like that.

An engine turning tool is definitely the way to go. Miles ahead of using the rear wheel. Besides shims and the EMS collets you may also want a cam holding tool.

still hoping to find someone who would be willing to teach another forum member how to do the valves.. I could buy all the tools but they wouldnt do me any good if I didn't know what to do with them.

These two videos will teach you just about everything you need to do to adjust your valves:
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=669.0

Watch them. Watch them twice.
Watch them a third or fourth time.
And give it a shot.

Quote from: wbeck257 on July 21, 2008, 05:31:31 AM
These two videos will teach you just about everything you need to do to adjust your valves:
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=669.0

Watch them. Watch them twice.
Watch them a third or fourth time.
And give it a shot.

Awesome stuff! I just spent $550 on my 6,000 mile service and couldn't help but think that it could have been done at home. I might just buy the tools and do the 12,000 mile one myself 

Is the process the same for the 4V engines? what are the major differences.. is the reason it's so much more expensive because there are double the valves?