Desmo Times Product 907 - Belt Tensioning Tool

The Desmo Times Cam Belt Tensioning Tool

Step 1 - Ducati belts vary little in terms of thickness. The tool instructions indicate to measure the thickness of the belt by inserting a tooth in the gauge. In most cases, the #3 pin or #5 pin is the thickness.

Step 2 - Screw the appropriate pin in the tool

Step 3 - Insert the tool in an accessible run of the belt

Step 4 - Tension the belt until the entire top slot is visible. The picture shows the proper sight picture when measuring the belt thickness between the teeth. This is how your tool should look when proper tension is achieved.

Step 5a - On 2v bikes, measure the free play of the cam belt at the idler wheel opposite the tensioner wheel. Measure the gap with an allen key. If the key slides across easily without slop, then you've selected the right size hex key. In this case, a 4mm key works. Now tension the vertical cylinder using the same allen key between the idler wheel opposite the tensioner. Voila, your belt tension is set. Check tension yearly.

Step 5b - On 4V 748-996 non-ST4 head bikes, the tensioner fits between the cam wheels on both cylinders.

Step 5c - On 4V ST4-head motors (Post-2001 748 and S4 and all ST4 and ST4S) the cams are too close together to put the tool between them, and there isn't enough room between the head and the frame on the vertical cylinders to use the tool. Will Hadder came up with a solution -- he trimmed the ends of the tangs of the tool 2.75mm. Once trimmed, the tool fit between the cam wheels on his ST4S. The cam wheels are even closer together on the testastretta head and I don't have a solution for that motor yet.

Cam Belt Tensioning Tool - $322
The Desmo Times Cam Belt Tensioning Tool

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Cam Belt Tensioning Tool - $322 Note: This tool is not designed for use on the following motors: DS1000 DS1100 749/999/848/1098/848 ST3 I've been meaning to carry a belt tensioning tool for years. Until recently, the only option available was a tool made by a German company (SPX). That tool cost between $400 and $500. Early last year I purchased a different tensioning tool, again from a German company. However, the tool is $100 cheaper and has a few features I find attractive. First, the tool measures cam belt tension along a fixed length of belt, just like the old SPX tool. Second, the tool comes with a calibration capability, so that you'll know if the tool every loses its accurracy (The old SPX tool did not have this capability). Third, the tool is capable of setting belt tension on both 2V and 4V Ducatis (except the Testastretta, and DS1000/DS1100 motors). Simply measure the thickness of the the belt with the included gauge, insert the proper number pin in the tool and insert the tool in an accessible part of the cam belt. I've used it on most 2V and 4V Ducatis, and it works like a champ. I also compared to tension the tool recommends to the new harmonic method and the tension is approximate. NOTE: On 2V motors, it is hard to get any tool around the cam belt due to the proximity of the frame. For 2V bikes, set the tension on the horizontal cylinder using the tool and then measure the play above the idler wheel in the middle of the run of belt using an allen key. Set the tension on the vertical cylinder to match the free play on the horizontal cylinder. Simple, effective and repeatable. Follow instructions below. Any recommendations or addendums, please email me.
Step 1 - Ducati belts vary little in terms of thickness. The tool instructions indicate to measure the thickness of the belt by inserting a tooth in the gauge. In most cases, the #3 pin or #5 pin is the thickness.	Step 2 - Screw the appropriate pin in the tool
Step 3 - Insert the tool in an accessible run of the belt	Step 4 - Tension the belt until the entire top slot is visible. The picture shows the proper sight picture when measuring the belt thickness between the teeth. This is how your tool should look when proper tension is achieved.
Step 5a - On 2v bikes, measure the free play of the cam belt at the idler wheel opposite the tensioner wheel. Measure the gap with an allen key. If the key slides across easily without slop, then you've selected the right size hex key. In this case, a 4mm key works. Now tension the vertical cylinder using the same allen key between the idler wheel opposite the tensioner. Voila, your belt tension is set. Check tension yearly.
Step 5b - On 4V 748-996 non-ST4 head bikes, the tensioner fits between the cam wheels on both cylinders.
Step 5c - On 4V ST4-head motors (Post-2001 748 and S4 and all ST4 and ST4S) the cams are too close together to put the tool between them, and there isn't enough room between the head and the frame on the vertical cylinders to use the tool. Will Hadder came up with a solution -- he trimmed the ends of the tangs of the tool 2.75mm. Once trimmed, the tool fit between the cam wheels on his ST4S. The cam wheels are even closer together on the testastretta head and I don't have a solution for that motor yet.