Belts on a 998S

[ChrisBushell]

Guys inspired by AntonyE's article about changing belts, I have downloaded the checking software, got a microphone working off the lap top and thought I would have a go at checking the current tension on the bike - before moving up to actualy changing and tensioning them.

The one bit of information that I am missing though is what sort of frequency should we be looking for?

[chrisw]

110 Hz (+/- 5Hz)

[ChrisBushell]

110 Hz (+/- 5Hz)

Thank you for that -will try on Saturday!

[khu996]

110 Hz (+/- 5Hz)

Isn't that for new belts??

I might be wrong, but I think used belts are around 80Hz.

[skidlids]

your thinking of the minimum allowed, anything around 70 to 80 Hz is apparently acceptable, anything less and they NEED to be retensioned
Normal operational tension is 110/110 (± 5) so thats what should be set new or used

[Shazaam!]

A Ducati bulletin specifies that recommended tension for installing fresh out of the box new belts and the acceptable range of deviation (110 Hz +/-5Hz). It also states that if you are going to reinstall a set of used belts they should be adjusted to 90-100 Hz (+/- 5Hz). It further implies that used belts can be left alone if they measure above 70Hz.

What Ducati is saying is to first set the tension of a new belt to spec, expect them to lose a slight amount of tension after some initial miles, and then verify at any later time that this tension is above the minimum requirement. In other words, you should not re-adjust the tension to the new belt spec max after run-in.

Otherwise the belt will be in danger of snapping after a few re-tensionings.

[chrisw]

Thanks. Created a crib sheet with the info to put with all my manuals.

[Manga]

Any chance you can put a link to the original post?

Something else to stress myself about I suppose.

When I bought the bike, the workshop told me the belts wont need retensioning, just changing every 2 years or so.

[Cobbett]

When I bought the bike, the workshop told me the belts wont need retensioning, just changing every 2 years or so.

2 years is indeed the change interval (or 12k miles, whichever is sooner). But the tension should be checked and adjusted if necessary at the intervening annual service.

[skidlids]

Thanks. Created a crib sheet with the info to put with all my manuals.

This is what I use Chris, it came from Gates Spring last year so about a year after the Bulletin from Ducati North America, I often wonder if they are just trying to protect themselves from idiots. As that Bulletin says all Ducati belts are now tensioned to 110/110 (± 5) be they 4-Valve or 2-Valve and no difference between front and back belts on any of the aircooleds

[chrisw]

Thanks for the document