Ducati 748 Home Service

**jonamacg83** · 31 Jan 08, 01:05 PM

Hi all,

I am looking to service my ’02 748E. I barely used the bike over the last year and a half, and so was thinking that it was about time it had a serious overhaul. The current mileage (kms?) is 7200, and the last service was at 3500 in 2004. I was therefore thinking that I should do just about everything to it (valves, timing belt, filters, fluids etc.) and was wondering whether this is something that is ‘do-able’. I am mechanically minded and had service cars etc before.

If the answer is ‘yes it is feasible’, then:

I was also concerned that I may need some special service tools. I have gone through the Haynes manual I have and noticed that I need a special tool for cylinder head bolts, as well as angled feeler gauges for checking the valve clearances. I was a bit unclear about the valve shims…is this something I would need to buy? Obviously I would require things like grips for removing the oil filter, and other ‘disposables’ like new plugs, (air filter? – worth upgrading), some seals for the oil filter and drain plug and oil etc. Have I overlooked anything or things that might be worth doing? I thought It may be worth changing the fluid hoses too for nice silicon ones whilst I’m at it and have the bike in bits.

Thanks in advance.

**748rdave** · 31 Jan 08, 08:41 PM

If your not 100% confident ,do not take the risk, leave it to the guys that service them day in day out.

I personally would not take a chance myself, mechanically minded or not.

Get one small thing wrong and bag she goes, added to the fact you've got no comeback.

Sorry to be negitive.

Dave.

**d_n_s748** · 31 Jan 08, 09:22 PM

With only 7200 on the clock, I would think it unlikely that the valves would need doing. (especially oif it was serviced at 3500: shims wear from use and won't change through lack of use) The rest of it is well within the range of a competent home mechanic, and doesn't really involve any special tools.
You need to do the belts as a matter of course as they will 'set' if not used regularly, and for the cost involved, its essential. There are plenty of threads on here as to how to do it, but 916 Belt Change gives a good run through.
Fluids of course would be wise, (oil, brake and clutch, coolant but also fork oil) and oil filter (might be worth changing the fuel filter too, in case its been gummed up through lack of use)
Other than that, a run round checking torque settings new plugs and a good injector cleaner should have it running right as a button.
I'm personally keen to do as much as I can myself, call it bonding if you like!! But at least I know its been done and done right. Unlike my only experience of paying a 'specialist' to do it and ending up with a bike that wouldn't run at all!!
Good luck and, as they say, measure twice, 'cut' once!

**jonamacg83** · 31 Jan 08, 09:43 PM

Ah righty, excellent thanks. If I can avoid faffing with the valves I will do. Doesnt seem too easy to be honest and I can imagine a lot of swearing etc would be involved! That was really the only thing that worried me. Done cam belts on cars before so im pretty sure the bike wont be much difference. Guess Il have to hunt around for the filters etc now. Bonding is certainly a good idea, the poor little sod has been neglected since I have got a couple of new toys!

As a side point...is it worth getting a 'performance' air filter...meaning one of those ones that sits in the airbox under the tank rather than in teh airtubes?

**nelly** · 01 Feb 08, 10:46 AM

Most of what you're looking at doing is pretty straight forward. You won't need many special tools, if any at all.
For the air filters, i'd suggest the pipercross OE replacements. The foam filters have their uses but in my experience, they take the edge off the throttle response. The PX ones seal properly, are washable and are half the price.

You're not too far away from me. I'm just of J28 M1. If you want to chat about any of the work, nip up for a coffee and ask. The advice is free

**jonamacg83** · 04 Feb 08, 08:58 PM

Nelly - thanks for that, I may take you up on that! Im not sure when Il be taking on the work, probably at the beginning of March cos Im off to Canada with work for a while, hopefully the weather will be glorious when I return for some proper bonding time with the bike!

**Lane748** · 10 Feb 08, 12:26 AM

The belts are easy todo if you are mechanically minded. I always change mine and have never used a tensioner. JHP guided me through how to do them without the tool and it's always worked for me.

Mine's just done 6,500 and will be subjected to a good going over in the coming weeks, ready for the summer.