996 ducati advice please??

[popinoz]

For any ducati specialists can you help me with ubiased advice. Is it true that these bikes snap cambelts easily.Especially if they are not changed every 2 years? Is it a con to line dealers pockets? are they made especially weak?.I only have experience of car belts which dont suffer from problems with such low mileage.Are the belts made weak purposely?.My bike has 6800 miles and unfortunately the belts where changed at 3000 in 2005.Like most classicy bikes i dont go out much.Speaking to other bikers im told that i will destroy the engine.No body seems to know anybody that this has happened too.Is this true omittedly ducati dealers say its essential but they would i feel considering they want 500 plus for a full service.

Best deal i have been offered is 380 plus vat for the full service from ex main dealer guy.Maybe i am tight i dont know any advice especially maybe from someone who might have experienced or know of someone that destroyed there engine.

[Graham]

I dont know the answer but I've found

http://www.ducatisti.co.uk/

very helpfull for stuff like that

[dibblecorse]

The belts run quite a tight turn around one of the pulleys, if the bike is used lightly the belt can develop a fold or tight spot that weakens the belt and they are known to snap, these were designed as racebikes so weren't designed road first / race second, so this may seem like a silly set up for longevity, but that was never the aim.

I personally get the belts on mine changed every 12 months, for £50 whilst its in, its peace of mind as doa large proprtion of owners that I know and we keep some ell informed Ducati technical friends who aren't out to just pillage our wallets.

[dibblecorse]

Want an honest opinion, phone Neil at www.cornerspeed.co.uk and say Dibble sent you. £380 is dirt cheap, who is the mechanic as may have some insight.

[996 sps]

Mate give Baines a ring at Silverstone they'll give you a quote also there is a guy who used to work for John Hackett racing who now lives near Northampton who'll do belts for £154 quid. I've had 3 Ducati's currently own a SPS and I live on a budget as per the normal bloke and managed to keep the bike sorted and serviced.

Belts do need changing every 2 years oh and the guy near Northampton is an offical Ducati specialist so full stamp etc. Will get the number for you if you need it personally I go to Baines as have done since 2002.

Oh and get one if you want a Ducati they are not the lightest or quickest bike but they are gorgeous to both look at and ride, in my opinion.

[catso]

Actually broken cambelts are rare but changing them every 2 years is a a good call as the belts are not a huge cost whereas the repair from a breakage would be, as said they run at very sharp angles back over the tensioners, also get very hot and run considerably higher RPM than a car, probably deteriorate quicker if not used often due to 'setting' in a position.

[icraigmy]

My ambition is to complement my TVR with a Ducati absolutely luv Ducati's

[TallPaul]

Although I dont know of anybody that has had the belts snap, it is pretty common knowledge that they should be changed every 2 years. Maybe it is dealer bulls**t, but personally, I wouldnt like to take that gamble.
Might be worth getting a friendly mechanic to show you how to do them, if you're going to keep the bike, it'll work out cheaper in the long run.

[catso]

TallPaul said:

Might be worth getting a friendly mechanic to show you how to do them, if you're going to keep the bike, it'll work out cheaper in the long run.

It's really very simple to do, it's the valve clearances that are more complex.

[smack]

My housemate has a 996. V reg, 22k miles, owned since new and it has only been changed twice in that time - but he is drunk at the moment so not sure about that, but hasn't been done for 2 years at least...

[londonbabe]

I'd just like to say that there appears to be an elephant cast into the cambelt carrier in that picture above, which is lovely.

Edited by londonbabe on Friday 22 August 08:12

[Graham]

icraigmy said:

My ambition is to complement my TVR with a Ducati absolutely luv Ducati's

Thats a great ambition you have there

[catso]

londonbabe said:

I'd just like to say that there appears to be an elephant cast into the cambelt carrier in that picture above, which is lovely.

That's because Ducati was owned by Cagiva back in the day, that's the Cagiva Elephant and appears on quite a few parts.

Evolution of the Elephant;

[Jetl3on]

The belt snapped on mine and yes, it costs a pretty penny to repair.....if you are a light user and long term owner, my advice would be to learn how to change them yourself, invest in the tools and do alot of research.