[Ducati] Changing Cam Belts

[Barry]

I am disappointed to find out that the 2003 999 I purchased from a
dealership here in Canada last August never had the cam belts changed since
new. ( never trust a dealer) So I am going to do it and also check the valve
clearances. 

I have changed belts on my 916 many times before. I don't have the belt
tensioning instrument, so I have been using the method described in the
Haynes manual, which states the belts should be able to be twisted to 45
degrees midway between the driveshaft and tensioner pulleys, which is fairly
accurate. 

My question, can this technique be applied to the 999 belts as well. I have
been pouring much of my money into my 916 race bike and it is hard to afford
the cam belt ternsioner tool at this time. Also what un foreseen problems
might I run into when checking shims or replacing some.

Barry