[archercc]

Sand down? You mean shim?

When you say that closers need force to spin are you unloading the spring using a tool? They are under tension even at TDC because of a low speed spring IIRC. If unloaded they should easily spin with your fingers but not a shocker if you cant get a shim in, almost all the recs I have seen is as close to zero without any resistance on the cam.

If they are too tight when unloaded IIRC you should do them first and THEN test the openers. I havent had to change my closers though as I just did my 7500 service and the closers spun easily. 3 out of my openers were TIGHT though. Two I couldn't even get a shim in either, so I def had to open them up. I went on the looser end of the spec and man my bike runs cooler (both of my exhaust openers were basically .000 clearance, could spin them but that was it). Not uncommon though as the valves will "settle in" to their seats.

Im curious, did you have someone do a Desmo at 7500? Because my experience is, on modern shim bikes, once you do the first service there shouldnt be a lot of change for looonnnnggg time. My 13,500RPM MV Agusta hasnt needed shims in 24,000 miles since its first valve job.

FYI I am no expert on the subject, just done a few desmos. Done a lot of traditional type spring valved bikes though.

 

[archercc]

This thread is inspiring me to pay the $650 my local guy wants when I hit 7500 miles

Honestly, if he was a good mech, Id def consider that deal (I am a bit lazy though). I mean unless you have all of the tools youre looking at investing a couple hundo in the rentals (or in the tools themselves), youll need to wait for the replacement shims to arrive, and its a long ass process mainly because of how much crap you gotta take off.

But I have multiple bikes and now multiple ducatis so it was worth it for me to invest in it. Plus Im reeaalllllyyy anal about my vehicles and have trust issues.

 

[archercc]

That is what mine is for TDC rear cylinder. Everyone says turn 270 but mine was like that too. But what are you taking about "sanding?"

 

[archercc]

Yeah mine was the same on both my Ducatis and even the tool rental guy was confused, but so was my friends monster

Interesting, I mean I get that a shims thickness is a thickness but I've always done replacements. I keep the old shims, they aren't actually brittle or anything.

 

[archercc]

There is a tool HDEusa makes that makes it easy to hold the rocker with one hand or the butt of your hand while fiddling wiht the rest.

 

[archercc]

If you're truly defeating the springs and you're getting a zero measurement on the closer shims, and this has been a running engine, then they do not need to be touched, they are good.

This is my understanding, which is why the minimum is 0. Im new to desmos but, historically, Ive only really seen where the openers (aka whats on all engines not just ducatis) get tighter as the valve seats wear/settle. So I cant see how the closers could/would get tighter so having them close to zero as long as they arent so tight they cant move loosely when unloaded (just so you dont get galling/metal wear) you should be good since they should only really get looser over time.