The Red Baron's Ultimate Ducati Desmo Manual

Eduardo Cabrera, better know in the Spanish ducatisti community as Baron Rojo (Red Baron), was born in Madrid, in 1972. Since his earliest memories, he has been passionate about motorcycles. He got his first bike in 2000: a Ducati 750 SS, and since then he's only ridden Ducatis. With a natural inclination to all things mechanical, it was a breakdown of his 1988 Paso 750, just after a complete service by the dealer, that started his deep interest in the mechanics of that iconic Italian motorcycle. From a self-taught beginning, his fluency in English and French allowed him to further his knowledge in Ducati mechanics through foreign literature. It was in this way that a first rough draft of what would later become his Ultimate Ducati Desmo Manual started taking shape in a series of articles published online at www.ducatistas.com, the main Spanish DOC forum. Thanks to the contacts he made with respected specialists in the Ducati marque, he's been able to gain a complete knowledge and the ability to perform the most complex repairs. Progress in this work, and his recognition by the ducatisti, finally resulted in the opening of his own Ducati specialist workshop in early 2016.

Introduction1.The workshop2.Fairing removal (in preparation)FIRST PART: MAINTENANCE1.Engine oil & filter replacement. Cleaning the mesh oil filter2.Spark plugs replacement3.Timing maintenance: Setting4.Timing belts replacement and tensioning on "desmodue" (2V) and "desmotre" engines (3V)5.Timing belts replacement and tensioning on "desmoquattro" engines (1st gen. 4V)6.Timing belts replacement and tensioning on "testastretta" and "testastretta evoluzione" engines (2nd gen. 4V)7.Valve clearance adjustment. Introduction.8.Valve clearance adjustment on "desmodue" (2V) and "desmotre" (3V) engines9.Valve clearance adjustment on "desmoquattro" engines (1st gen. 4V)10.Valve clearance adjustment on "testastretta" and "testastretta evoluzione" engines (2nd gen. 4V)11.Clutch discs&housing replacement12.Coolant replacement13.Final transmission replacement14.How brakes&hydraulic clucht work15.Brake pads replacement16.Brake fluid replacement and air bleeding17.Brake&clutch master cylinder overhaul18."Showa" front fork overhaul19."Ohlins" front fork overhaulSECOND PART: ENGINE1.Theoretical engine concepts2.Taking the engine apart3.Engine reassembly4.Taking apart and reassembly of 2&3V "desmodue" and "desmotre" heads5.Taking apart and reassembly of (1st gen.) 4V "desmoquattro" heads6.Taking apart and reassembly of (2nd gen.) 4V "testastretta" and "testastretta evoluzione" heads7.Engine carbon build up removal8.Metrology9.Crankshaft&conrods overhaul10.Crankcase bearings&seals replacement11.Valve lapping12.Valve guide replacement13.Engine settings&adjustmentsTHIRD PART: ELECTRONIC INJECTION&EMS (in preparation)1.Electronic injection2.Throttle body adjustment (non-linear TPS)3.Throttle body adjustment (linear TPS)4.Diagnostic software