Ok... I had a quick check and reckon I'll need to tighten the chain ever so slightly once there's a few more miles on the bike. I reckon I know how to do it - loosen the two bolts then use a C Spanner to adjust the tension, re-tighten the bolts and that's it. But... I went out to check the toolkit and there's no C Spanner. Am I being an idiot (highly likely) or do Ducati not provide one? The manual says take it to the dealer for chain adjustment, which is ridiculous. Other than that there's no information on it, which is also ridiculous. Does anybody know what size C Spanner I need? Also, this strikes me as something that's simple and cheap to buy, are there any certain "brands" people would recommend or tell me to avoid? Cheers Andy
As long as you undo the two bolts you could gently knock with a drift and hammer the castelated eccentric around to achieve your chain tensioning. On an 848 it would be the same as a 1994 916... 748 996 998
the reason the manual says take it to a dealer is because the chain adjustment is on an eccentric when you alter this you alter the ride height.........so you need to reset your ride height after adjusting the chain...............not really so ridiculous....oh and make sure you adjust the correct way as both directions will make the chain tighter eventually but one direction,...not the band, is completely wrong!
If you look on eblag the 748 - 916 is the same size, used to come with the olden days tool kits. I may have a spare if you're really stuck.
Ok. Maybe not such a daft question then. I'd rather not use a hammer and drift if I can get a C spanner for it, but that might do as a temporary measure. How much effect on the ride height are you talking here? Is it noticeable? My bike doesn't have the ride height adjuster but I've been contemplating getting one. And is there a way to tell if I'm adjusting it the right way or the wrong way? I've only ever had twin-sided swingarms before so have never encountered this stuff.
I was expecting it to be in the toolkit to be honest. Seems that it's deliberately not there to prompt the owner to take it to the dealer. I'll go and have a look at eBay. Thanks.
So standing to the kerb side of the bike the eccentric has to go anti clockwise so the bottom of the eccentric goes towards the rear of the bike. If your bike is in good condition its not like you would have to welly the hell out of the eccentric once you have undone the two bolts it would be a gentle tap.
Cheers for this. The bike's a brand spanker so it should behave ok when I go to do this... But you never know. I'll speak to the dealer when I'm next in about the ride height thing and see what they're saying. Thanks for the help guys.
Not to mention if you get it wrong you can do all kinds of damage to that eccentric hub and the swingarm
the funny thing is that moving the eccentric back at least for the early part of its movement, is generally a good thing for your suspension geometry it will raise the rear of the bike.
Loud and clear on making sure I do this the right way. I'll measure the ride height as it is now (theoretically "factory setting") and see how I go. I agree that raising it a little is probably a good thing but I'd like a base point for future reference. Looking like the ride height adjuster is a worthwhile extra in the future.
Sorry to be a pain here guys, but you don't know what size spanner it is do you? eBay has a few but I'm not sure they are the right size. The Dutch Ducati parts place is selling one but it'll cost £30 all told. I've found a few cheaper but don't know the size...
Just a wee but of feedback... I ordered one from that guy today and his service is first class. Should have it middle of next week, but based on his messages etc today I'd highly recommend him. Thanks for the link!
Isnt he a forum member? Or is it ISC? Have seen the pic somewhere before...I have a Ducati one but may get one of these as far easier to use
I've always adjusted my chain on my Speed Triple which also has an eccentric adjuster. As youre turning it you will notice the chain tighten or slacken so you can't really go the wrong way. It takes a few degrees of movement on the adjuster to take up necessary slack. You won't notice any change in ride height either. In theory if you turn the eccentric adjuster through about 90 degrees you'll notice it but a few degrees really won't register. I was amazed that there's no adjuster in the tool kit and I'm blowed if I'm going to go to a dealer every time it needs a tweak. I think I'll be ordering one of those too. Ali
