[Ducati] 996: Valve adjustment specs and MBP collets?

[Ducati5555 at aol.com]

To depress the rocker arm, I use an old, thin walled, nut driver.  It  has a 
screwdriver handle and a six point socket attached to the end of the  shaft.  
Being thin walled, I can easily hook it on the side of the rocker  near the 
end and push down to get my loaded clearance measurement. The size is  for a 3/8 
or 1/2 inch nut. Its all one piece, to avoid any movement when  depressing it 
on the rocker arm.  It really is very easy as I can put the  palm of my hand 
on the handle to push.
 
Concerning clearances, I use LT Snyders recommendations for my 916 and ST4. 
 
.10 mm closers (all)
.10 mm intake openers
.15 mm exhaust openers
 
You will see the advantages of the MBP retainers the harder you run the  
bike.  I have them in my 916 which is used only for track days.  For  street 
riding, typically you shouldn't have to adjust but every 12,000 miles, so  it 
definitely should extend the valve adjustment intervals.  Depending on  how hard 
you ride the bike, you may want to at least check them sooner.  
 
Concerning shims:  You will need to replace all the openers with  modified 
opener shims.  These are needed for clearance with the  retainers.  The stock 
closers work with retainers.  When installing,  it is important to set the 
closer shim/retainer/valve stem with an impact  force.  Typically, the when using 
the retainers, the closer clearance will  tighten up somewhere between .002 and 
.004 inches.  Meaning if you simply  swap out the half rings to retainers 
using the same closer shim, the clearance  will decrease by .002 to .004 inches.
 
 
Mike
94 M944
97 916
99 ST4
_www.emsduc.com_ (http://www.emsduc.com/)