valve adjustment question

The cams don't have to come out to change the shims but it is advisable to
take them out anyhow because its the only way to check for flaking chrome on
the rockers.

--
Paul Charlton

www.paulcharlton.org.uk
 >> Stay informed about: valve adjustment question 

"Michael Sierchio" <kudzu DeleteThis @tenebras.com> wrote in message
news:lJqdnYEOa8xGoEHcRVn-vg@speakeasy.net...

 > You shouldn't! Really. The desmoquattro has two shims for
 > each valve, and the cams must come out in order to replace the
 > shims. It's the sort of thing best done by someone who does
 > a lot of these. Car experts have never seen desmodromic valve
 > trains, probably, and the shim arrangement is peculiar.
 >
 > Also, the zero clearance on the exhaust valve is a bitch,
 > which side of zero are you on?

The ST4s doesn't call for any zero clearance valve lash measurements. The
valves on a ST4s are well within the capabilities of any competent home
mechanic as long as they are willing to take their time and be methodical.
It ain't rocket science. If you are planning to keep the bike for some time
it will be worth it to do your own. If you buy a new bike every couple of
years just let the Ducati mechanics do it.

I don't understand your comments about learning from auto mechanics. The web
is one of the best resources to learn about Ducatis. I suggest buying LT
Snyder's book "Desmoquattro Service and Maintenance" or some such title.

Cheers!

Spanky<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: valve adjustment question 

Spanky wrote:

 > I don't understand your comments about learning from auto mechanics. The web
 > is one of the best resources to learn about Ducatis. I suggest buying LT
 > Snyder's book "Desmoquattro Service and Maintenance" or some such title.

Yes, this is a good book, doesn't cover the Testastretta...

My comment re: auto mechanics is that very few ever do a valve
adjustment, and if they do, it's shim-over-bucket.

My other comment: I don't think a shade tree mechanic is up to the task,
and I would rather have my valves adjusted by someone who does a lot
of them.

There are many people who have so little respect for my own
profession (software engineering) that they think they can
do it too. <!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: valve adjustment question