Fettling the Ducati 944 ST2 (2000)

[HT]

Finally got spare time and decent weather to get the old girl serviced.
I haven't done the timing belts since I've owned it, so it's been approx 5 years since they've been replaced. It'll be interesting to see what condition they're in.

Jobs to do:

Belt change.
Headlight alignment.
Fuel filter.
Spark plugs.
Air filter.
Oil filter.
Coolant change.
Oil change.
Renew brake fluid.
Check and clean clutch springs, plates and basket.
Check condition of some re-wiring I'd done previously (Thicker gauge wire for regulator/rectifier).
Strip brake calipers and clean.

Bi-annual polishing of paintwork.


Before I get busy with the photos it should be noted I am very good with hammers. A spanner is something to be thrown at the hammer when it doesn't work properly.

However, owning a motorcycle requires some basic mechanical knowledge. Especially so when on a budget and bigger jobs need doing.
I have no excuses, I have the right tools and I can follow basic instructions (ask my fiancée).

Here she is without her skirt.
Battery already removed and battery box hanging all forlorn.

Here's that wiring I did last year. Looks as fresh as the day I did it. Not the tidiest of jobs I know. Bodywork hides and protects it.

View from the stator side. I've purposely kept the wires separate, except where they cross the horizontal cylinder head and they are sleeved (Connectors covered in di-electric grease).

Time to man-up and do those belts. First I removed the covers.
[Photo for reference]

Getting them out wasn't as fiddly as I first thought. Ducati have done something sensible...Crazy but true. Inspection covers to gain access to the belt tensioners and a fuel tank that hinges up so I can get to the top of the vertical belt cover and air filter.

Sparkplugs out. Put in 6th gear and turn rear wheel until top dead center and timing marks line up.
Note the sightglass has misted up in the sunshine. 5 mins and it had cleared.

New belt below old one. The profile of the teeth on the old belts are pretty good.

Let's have closer look.

I don't think it's that bad. 1 minor point of wear for a part that should be changed every 2 years.

So the engine is at TDC on the horizontal cylinder. Now the tricky bit where I have to fit the belt for the vertical. Involves holding the gear at the top, slide the belt behind the frame onto the lower gear and keep the top gear completely still. It doesn't like to stay put unlike the horizontal one which goes on quick as Larry.

Belt tensioning is a black art if you believe all you read. This engine is based on the old Paso engine. A time when they didn't use a frequency analysis machine, so I went for the 5mm allen key test. If you can just slide a 5mm between the idler roller and the belt it's good.
Check.
Rotate engine.
Check.
Rotate engine and check.
Torque the tensioner bolts to 23 lbf-ft/31 Nm.

Hastily hook up the battery.

Check nothing can interfere with the belts and hit that starter.

I am a mechanical genius.

Next is the clutch.

Notice the clutch mod? I removed 2 of the clutch springs. It's a tried and tested bodge. Gives a lighter feel on the clutch lever and I did that mod when I first got the bike. Did my homework...Love the internet.
Removed plates...blast with clutch cleaner.

The basket is notched, so will replace it later in the year. About £100. BTW.... £40 for the belts.

Checked the height of the clutch pack. Popped them back in.

Air filter.
5 minute job.

Ducati even supply a way to prop up the tank.

Wash the filter and re-oil.

Took the bike (with all her guts hanging out) for a test ride to check the clutch and gears still work and rode her back into the shed until tomorrow.
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[HT]

Pain in the arse changing the fuel filter but managed to reuse the rubber o-ring....Good, they cost £15.

New oil filter and cleaned out the mesh filter. 2 very small flecks of metal on the magnetic sump plug...new crush washer fitted.

Think I'll do the coolant later in the year when I do the clutch basket.

Continued with cleaning the calipers.

I've got this down to a fine art...or so I thought.
Out popped a petite Brembo pot into my hand....Went back in with that satisfying clunk.

One of the pots didn't want to go back. These pipe holders do the job.

The other caliper still has it's pads in and wedged.

Most went in by the manly strength that only Ducati riders have.

Flossing pots.

Leeds finest Copper grease for the back of the pads and pins.

One down, 2 to do.

Dirty holes.

Clean holes.

Pure filth.

Dirty dirty fluid.

Lovely.

Bleeding great.

Quick zip up the road, but not before I had a word with a neighbour.

'Sorry about the noise, I wanted to get the oil hot...'

'No, it's fine....really. I used to have a bike myself...Love the sound of a Ducati at full chat'.


Bike almost done. Headlight will be done after the footy, then it's just the rear end to clean and inspect...and the fairings to do.
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[Valentino Mossy]

Thread made of win !

I used the 5mm allen key method as well when i did my belts.
Easy job once you've stripped the shit load of wires from around the covers.

Love the sound of your dry clutch
I've read about the removing of one of the clutch springs before but never tried it. May try it one day and see what its like.

If you need any little bits any time give me a shout, looking at it, the 944 carries most of the same parts as mine.

You bleeding the back brake ?
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Ducati 160 monza jnr soon to be cafe racer
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[HT]

Ta for the kind offer.
As for the lighter clutch mod. You need to remove 2 springs. Check the photo.

I've also done the quiet clutch mod. (promise you won't tell the Ducatisti) Involves adding a friction plate before the rest of the pack. In other words it makes less room for the rattling...and it works fine.

Back brake is bled, but dirty caliper. 10 minute job if I don't pop another pot out.
Cleaned the chain and the gloop behind the front sprocket.

Watched Man Utd lose and now ready for a bath. Just done the headlight adjustment. Better compromise. I'm often used as a loud and sexy Taxi and it needed the beam slightly lower.
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[iMark]

[garth]

I like how easy Ducati's are to work on. My 900ss / monster were the same.

Just as well really.

Valves are a pain in the arse though.

[HT]

I'm not attempting the valves.
They're just a step too far at the moment.
I do them on the 250...Locknut type..Easy(ish).

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[pepperami]

Interesting read
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[moppy]

Just wanted to say really cool thread. Makes me want to try my hand at spannering properly, but I'd be way too scared to drop the engine out or anything like that.

[MattJ]

[HT]

[MattJ]

[Valentino Mossy]

[HT]

As reg/rec seem to be a consumable on most motorcycles and also vowing never to push the thing again I thought it best to have one wired-up and ready.

The big red girl is all done bar the polishing. I'm on a rideout tomorrow and the weather isn't looking good so I'll wait until the last bit of winter has gone then give her a once over.

Not much to do now. As the fairing is off I got to clean some of the engine. Paraffin is my main weapon, although it does make the bike smell like an old greenhouse. Still a brilliant cleaner in my opinion.

These wellnuts can be a pain if you rush when fitting the bodywork. I leave them loose until all of them are seated and everything lines-up.

It's customary to wait for the oil level to settle when filling up the system. Have a brew and re-check. I rushed and overfilled it.

These syringes came in handy.

My toothbrush technique. Again, using paraffin.

Final bits now, like setting the clock and tyre pressures.

No final pics yet.
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[HT]

Testing over. It's time to be a Taxi again.

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[Irn-Bru]

Why is 55mph emphasised on the speedo?
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[HT]

That's when the turbo kicks in.
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[Nexus Icon]

[garth]

Bit of a bump, but only because I blame you entirely for what I've just bought.

I need something to go touring this summer two up, so I pick this up on Saturday.

Not sure it's the wisest decision I've ever made, but it was half the price of the Versys I was looking to get, and I enjoyed my old Ducati.

[HT]

Hi garth, I'm pretty sure you'll get on with the ST4. Going from that photo it looks like it uses the Sachs suspension on the rear. Can't remember reading anything bad about them, just people with more money than sense who fit Ohlins units. Bit overkill for a sportstourer in my opinion. However, If I had to do regular fully loaded 2up trips I'd fit an uprated spring. On the 2000 ST2 (showa) using full preload it did bottom out quite heavily when going over some speed bumps at Cadwell Park. I put the snapping of an engine bolt down to that...and we aren't heavyweights before you ask. If you're paranoid it's simple enough to pop off the rubber covers and inspect them. I believe that later models used bigger diameter engine bolts...... Check the USA Ducati forums.
Also looks like (I maybe wrong) you have the gel seat. A no-slip pillion cover is worth the £12.
The nonfango luggage is excellent. Never let a drop of water in and if you remove them and the rack you can raise the exhausts for more ground clearance in the corners, but I found the center stand touches down way before the cans ever would.

You get a lot of bike for your money with the Ducati ST range, as with most makers it pays to get the right model in the right year.

Surprised me how affordable they are. I paid £1700 for mine. I think they were 9k when new.

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[garth]

Thanks - I've had a look on Ducati.ms and a few others. I see you can get bar risers on ebay for £30 delivered which seems pretty good, and extra 20mm rise. Not sure if they're needed, as haven't even got it yet.

I paid slightly more than you, but I did look at a very cheap ST2 before this on - Decided I liked the bike but I wanted to try out a 4V. Still, for a 17k miler, with full luggage and a years ticket I'm happy enough.

I think I've got some of that non slip stuff left over for the seat - What makes you think it's a gel one?

May do the quiet clutch mod too. Need an old plate.

Mines an 01. I wanted a grey frame.

[##Paddy##]

Some Italian fappage in here.

I like this...
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[HT]

Depending on how long you decide to keep the ST4 it may be worth getting a second hand baglux tank cover and tankbag.

Regarding the seat. It looks different to mine and I know the ST3s came with a gel seat. Like I said ..maybe wrong. The standard seat is comfy enough for me, but I'll be doing a week of continuous riding in a couple of months so may have a different opinion afterwards.

I'm about 5' 10" and find the bar position fine. If you do long stints on the motorway you'll find yourself dropping onto the tank to keep the windblast to a minimum. The screen and fairing offer minimal protection...just about enough. It's a little more Sports than Tour kind of thing.

I wouldn't class the ST as fappable.... Infact I think it's almost ugly at certain angles. I have similar thoughts about my other bike..Until I ride them. Absolutely love the ST2. It, like the CB250RS inspire confidence as they both handle better than they should do. Love the brakes too. You'll have the 916 superbike engine and may ride harder than me so may have a different view.
Give us a review after your trip.

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[chris-red]

Isn't 180 on the speedo massively optimistic? Don't these have under 100bhp?
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
Tef:- Maybe I'm just peculiar but I like to be SURE that a thing will 'stop' before I make it 'go', let alone 'glow'......

[HT]

The rev counter is also optimistic.
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