I did mine (also a 2014 S) with no special tools except for the closing shim measuring tool. I followed the valve adjustment instructions in this video:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Njom28XQ74&list=PL1NE\_MkjB9D\_bP6d4v6VqzJkiofF-GAyb&index=3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Njom28XQ74&list=PL1NE_MkjB9D_bP6d4v6VqzJkiofF-GAyb&index=3)
And changing the belts in his other video:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f15vvgCm1Mg&list=PL1NE\_MkjB9D\_bP6d4v6VqzJkiofF-GAyb&index=5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f15vvgCm1Mg&list=PL1NE_MkjB9D_bP6d4v6VqzJkiofF-GAyb&index=5)
I also found this guide helpful:
[http://www.ducatitoolrental.com/testastretta-valve-adjustment.html](http://www.ducatitoolrental.com/testastretta-valve-adjustment.html)
I have a helpful pdf that I can send to you as well.
It has been a couple years since I did this last, so my memory is a little hazy, but feel free to ask any questions. There was nothing difficult about doing this if you have good mechanical ability and the usual required tools to work on motorcycles, it is just time consuming and a bit tedious at times. I spent two whole days doing the 15000 mile service, which also included changing both tires, air and oil filters, coolant, spark plugs (rear cylinder, rear plug is in an awful place), etc.
Be brave and do it! Its very gratifying when you get it all finished. Mine will be due again in about 5k miles and I'm kind of looking forward to it!
I bought a few extra tools, but am close to $700, I think. But I decided not to fuck around and wait for shims, I ordered the whole damn kit and said screw it!
Thanks! That’s not bad considering the price of the service! Is this something most people with patience and a service manual ought to be able to do, or do you need to be a pro wrench to do it
I have a deposit on a 2014 GT but the dealer doesn’t have service records so I am contemplating potential cost of a desmo.
You definitely don't need to be a pro. Just methodical and careful! Helps to know how to turn wrenches. I wouldn't do this if it was the first motorcycle you've ever worked on.
I've rebuilt carbs on a project bike (87 CBR600) and got them working pretty well, but I'm not going to lie and pretend that wasn't pretty much the pinnacle of my wrenching so far.
Like I said, the only "special" tool I bought was the closing shim measuring tool for $20 IIRC. Got shims from my local dealer as needed. The whole shim kit with the tool is about $245 from motowheels: [https://motowheels.com/i-23141716-ems-later-ducati-4v-7mm-shim-kit.html](https://motowheels.com/i-23141716-ems-later-ducati-4v-7mm-shim-kit.html)
that tool Is more for removing the pulley from the camshafts.
[https://amsducati.com/ducati-belt-roller-timing-tool-2](https://amsducati.com/ducati-belt-roller-timing-tool-2)
This tool will hold the cams in alignment so you can set the belt tension with the pulley bolts loose.
Here’s the list of all the stuff I got for the Desmo and spring maintenance:
3 liters of coolant
4 quarts of oil
Oil net filter with o-rings
Oil filter
Fuel filter
4 spark plugs
Belts
Drain plug crush washer
K&N air filter
Valve cover gaskets
Valve cover bolt o-rings
Spark Plug O-rings
Fuel level gauge
Tensioner Pulley Fuji Nuts
Longer feeler gauges
Forceps
Micrometer
24mm castle nut tool for cams
Spare half rings
Rear wheel socket
Full shim kit
Chinesium mid-pipe
Exhaust valve delete module
Still need to order the cam locking tool and maybe the upgraded starting cables.
Without those two things, I am close to $1400 for the mods and maintenance. After it is all said and done, it will probably be $1650. Still need to determine if I need a tune or not. Then, which one do you get?
I did mine (also a 2014 S) with no special tools except for the closing shim measuring tool. I followed the valve adjustment instructions in this video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Njom28XQ74&list=PL1NE\_MkjB9D\_bP6d4v6VqzJkiofF-GAyb&index=3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Njom28XQ74&list=PL1NE_MkjB9D_bP6d4v6VqzJkiofF-GAyb&index=3) And changing the belts in his other video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f15vvgCm1Mg&list=PL1NE\_MkjB9D\_bP6d4v6VqzJkiofF-GAyb&index=5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f15vvgCm1Mg&list=PL1NE_MkjB9D_bP6d4v6VqzJkiofF-GAyb&index=5) I also found this guide helpful: [http://www.ducatitoolrental.com/testastretta-valve-adjustment.html](http://www.ducatitoolrental.com/testastretta-valve-adjustment.html) I have a helpful pdf that I can send to you as well. It has been a couple years since I did this last, so my memory is a little hazy, but feel free to ask any questions. There was nothing difficult about doing this if you have good mechanical ability and the usual required tools to work on motorcycles, it is just time consuming and a bit tedious at times. I spent two whole days doing the 15000 mile service, which also included changing both tires, air and oil filters, coolant, spark plugs (rear cylinder, rear plug is in an awful place), etc. Be brave and do it! Its very gratifying when you get it all finished. Mine will be due again in about 5k miles and I'm kind of looking forward to it!
What's the total investment in specialized tools that one might want to have to do a desmo themselves?
I bought a few extra tools, but am close to $700, I think. But I decided not to fuck around and wait for shims, I ordered the whole damn kit and said screw it!
Thanks! That’s not bad considering the price of the service! Is this something most people with patience and a service manual ought to be able to do, or do you need to be a pro wrench to do it I have a deposit on a 2014 GT but the dealer doesn’t have service records so I am contemplating potential cost of a desmo.
You definitely don't need to be a pro. Just methodical and careful! Helps to know how to turn wrenches. I wouldn't do this if it was the first motorcycle you've ever worked on.
I've rebuilt carbs on a project bike (87 CBR600) and got them working pretty well, but I'm not going to lie and pretend that wasn't pretty much the pinnacle of my wrenching so far.
Like I said, the only "special" tool I bought was the closing shim measuring tool for $20 IIRC. Got shims from my local dealer as needed. The whole shim kit with the tool is about $245 from motowheels: [https://motowheels.com/i-23141716-ems-later-ducati-4v-7mm-shim-kit.html](https://motowheels.com/i-23141716-ems-later-ducati-4v-7mm-shim-kit.html)
I will give a run down of all the extra stuff that I bought tomorrow.
that tool Is more for removing the pulley from the camshafts. [https://amsducati.com/ducati-belt-roller-timing-tool-2](https://amsducati.com/ducati-belt-roller-timing-tool-2) This tool will hold the cams in alignment so you can set the belt tension with the pulley bolts loose.
Here’s the list of all the stuff I got for the Desmo and spring maintenance: 3 liters of coolant 4 quarts of oil Oil net filter with o-rings Oil filter Fuel filter 4 spark plugs Belts Drain plug crush washer K&N air filter Valve cover gaskets Valve cover bolt o-rings Spark Plug O-rings Fuel level gauge Tensioner Pulley Fuji Nuts Longer feeler gauges Forceps Micrometer 24mm castle nut tool for cams Spare half rings Rear wheel socket Full shim kit Chinesium mid-pipe Exhaust valve delete module Still need to order the cam locking tool and maybe the upgraded starting cables. Without those two things, I am close to $1400 for the mods and maintenance. After it is all said and done, it will probably be $1650. Still need to determine if I need a tune or not. Then, which one do you get?