No service book for 748 what would you do?

[RC1]

Ive seen a 748 in facory spec but its missing the owners pack. It does have some service invoices and on inspection looks to be well cherished. Its got fewer than 4k miles but 5 keepers. Can ducati supply a copy ownets pack inc a book that i can try to get stamped up?

Whats it worth?

[WaferThinHam]

RC1 said:

Ive seen a 748 in facory spec but its missing the owners pack. It does have some service invoices and on inspection looks to be well cherished. Its got fewer than 4k miles but 5 keepers. Can ducati supply a copy ownets pack inc a book that i can try to get stamped up?

Whats it worth?

You appear to be asking if you can forge a service history?

I'd assume it's had no servicing done and offer accordingly. With Ducatis we all know servicing is important so why have they lost the book......(maybe I'm just cynical)

[Rubin215]

I'm always more interested in seeing invoices and receipts than stamps in a book. The best owners keep everything for you to see, good and bad.

It's very easy to buy a blank service book and have a stamp made up or slip the young lad at the service desk a tenner to get some extra ticks in the box...

[Charliecloud]

You could try ringing the service department of the company on the service Invoice. If they are a main dealer it's likely that they can see what other Ducati service agents,if they are main dealer,have serviced the bike. They could also order you a replacement service book.

[TooMany2cvs]

RC1 said:

Ive seen a 748 in facory spec but its missing the owners pack. It does have some service invoices and on inspection looks to be well cherished. Its got fewer than 4k miles but 5 keepers. Can ducati supply a copy ownets pack inc a book that i can try to get stamped up?

I'm sure they'll sell you an owner's pack. They might even sell you a blank service book. You might even be able to persuade the garages from whom you have invoices to stamp that book for you.

But the true proof of the servicing is what you have - the invoices.

[T6 vanman]

RC1 said:

Ive seen a 748 in facory spec but its missing the owners pack. It does have some service invoices and on inspection looks to be well cherished. Its got fewer than 4k miles but 5 keepers. Can ducati supply a copy ownets pack inc a book that i can try to get stamped up?

Whats it worth?

So let's see,
You've seen a (at a guess a minimum of 14 year old ) motorcycle that looks "cherished" but are worried that through those 5 owner a bit of paperwork has gone missing.

Just look the bike over (check DVLA website for mileages @ MOT's)... adjust your offer to cover any required maintenance / belts in a Duc's case and get on with enjoying your ownership of an old bike

There's more to worry about with a 15 year old Duc than a missing service book...!

ETA loved my 02 748 ... now sorely missed

[catso]

What value does a service book for an old bike have?

I've got an 18 year old 916, I have the service manual etc. which was stamped the first few times by a dealer but I've been servicing it myself for the last 12 years or so. I don't see what value it would add if I were to sell it?

If you buy the bike and get it properly serviced now, then what does it matter if the belts weren't changed on schedule 10 years ago?...

To add; if you buy a used Ducati of unknown service history then get the belts changed/valve clearances checked straight away, if there's any doubt the belts have been changed for many years then don't even start the engine, once you've paid for it...

Edited by catso on Sunday 26th June 12:26

[jason61c]

have you ridden a 748? that'd be my main worry!

[RC1]

Rubin215 said:

I'm always more interested in seeing invoices and receipts than stamps in a book. The best owners keep everything for you to see, good and bad.

It's very easy to buy a blank service book and have a stamp made up or slip the young lad at the service desk a tenner to get some extra ticks in the box...

The only let down is the patchy paper trail... not MOTS prior to 09 but things like the original bill of sale and some service receipts present... bear in mind its done less than 4k miles but nonetheless would be good to have had the book.i guess with 5 previous keepers some of which acquired the bike through a dealer its conceivable that some of the docs have fallen by the wayside...

in the grand scheme of things its a minor point but i have no idea on how the ducati market prizes provenance etc when itcomes to resale... i know as far as my cars are concerned not having the service book would materially affect resale esp for the alpina

[RC1]

i was planning to get it well looked over inc valve clearances checked, rocker arms checked, all fluids and perishables replaced etc by the top guys before i took it on so mechaniclally i know it will be sound...

in 5 years time if i want to sell it then no-one will care that the paper trail is not complete?

[RC1]

Charliecloud said:

You could try ringing the service department of the company on the service Invoice. If they are a main dealer it's likely that they can see what other Ducati service agents,if they are main dealer,have serviced the bike. They could also order you a replacement service book.

spoke to ducati aylesbury (on yer bike) and they said new books are not available!

[snorky782]

RC1 said:

The only let down is the patchy paper trail... not MOTS prior to 09 but things like the original bill of sale and some service receipts present... bear in mind its done less than 4k miles but nonetheless would be good to have had the book.i guess with 5 previous keepers some of which acquired the bike through a dealer its conceivable that some of the docs have fallen by the wayside...

in the grand scheme of things its a minor point but i have no idea on how the ducati market prizes provenance etc when itcomes to resale... i know as far as my cars are concerned not having the service book would materially affect resale esp for the alpina

Provenance? Really? It s a fairly old (not classic) mass produced bike. Despite the image bks that goes along with a Ducati, it's not a Ferrari 250 GT

[T6 vanman]

RC1 said:

i was planning to get it well looked over inc valve clearances checked, rocker arms checked, all fluids and perishables replaced etc by the top guys before i took it on so mechaniclally i know it will be sound...

in 5 years time if i want to sell it then no-one will care that the paper trail is not complete?

This last comment should allay your fears,

The Duc will be 20 years old and should you be selling.... the prospective new purchaser will be more concerned and impressed by your minor restoration upon purchase, ongoing upkeep with usage and costs you have incurred,

I value this bike as XXX as it has had 5 services since I've owned it and the big belts and valves were done last autumn along with new tyres, It had forks and shock overhauled 18 months ago and a new battery three yrs ago, rides a dream


I value this bike as XXX as it has had 5 services since I've owned it and the big belts and valves were done last autumn along with new tyres, It had forks and shock overhauled 18 months ago and a new battery three yrs ago, rides a dream Oh and here's some book

"Sod the books I'll offer you asking price if you throw in the Termi's and paddock stand"

[T6 vanman]

Actually we should be asking
Why do you want a 748,

1) If its more for a centre of attention getting bike for enjoyment then fill your boots

2) If its to keep up with the boys and fast & furious journeys, then there are more appropriate machines out there.

My immaculate 748 never ceased to surprise me by raping my wallet at every opportunity, but I'd have it back for usage 1 not for usage 2

[Steve Bass]

RC1 said:

Ive seen a 748 in facory spec

What is Factory spec??
It's either a Biposto, Monoposto,S or R. Ducati don't have a Factory spec..
What s is will affect it's value a bit but even 748R's aren't held in the same estem as 996 or 998 R's.

[RC1]

Steve Bass said:

What is Factory spec??
It's either a Biposto, Monoposto,S or R. Ducati don't have a Factory spec..
What s is will affect it's value a bit but even 748R's aren't held in the same estem as 996 or 998 R's.

fitted with the same parts (to the date stamp where possible) that it left the factory with

[snorky782]

RC1 said:

Steve Bass said:

What is Factory spec??
It's either a Biposto, Monoposto,S or R. Ducati don't have a Factory spec..
What s is will affect it's value a bit but even 748R's aren't held in the same estem as 996 or 998 R's.

fitted with the same parts (to the date stamp where possible) that it left the factory with

So you mean "I've seen a bike for sale"

[RC1]

snorky782 said:

So you mean "I've seen a bike for sale"

no

its not on the market. an enthusiast who is in the trade was offered it and he took it to undertake a full resto himself but ive spoken to him and he will entertain a sale.

[Steve Bass]

snorky782 said:

RC1 said:

Steve Bass said:

What is Factory spec??
It's either a Biposto, Monoposto,S or R. Ducati don't have a Factory spec..
What s is will affect it's value a bit but even 748R's aren't held in the same estem as 996 or 998 R's.

fitted with the same parts (to the date stamp where possible) that it left the factory with

So you mean "I've seen a bike for sale"

^ exactly...
given that only the frame and engine are numbered i'm not sure how you can know this???
And unless it's a spectacular R model with full ohlins then don't bother getting too excited....

[RC1]

lets take the rear foot pegs. they are marked with a production date stamp. the chap is going to the effort of seeking out the ones with the correct date stamp as he undertakes his resto back to original.

anyways, im not sure any of this helps and i think my original question has been answered!