Cheap Ducati 748, what could possibly go wrong
Discussion
TT Tim said:
Ducati ownership, I have discovered is an odd thing. I only passed my text in 2010, at the tender age of 42! I'd aready bought my 'big' bike, a 2002 ST4s Duc' 2 months before I took my DAS, having it completly resprayed ready.
I then used it every day to commute to london from Kent - a trip of nearly 700 miles per week.
Yes, things went wrong, the clutch was shagged and a crankshaft bearing failed, leading to a £2K full engine rebuild, yes I could have done it for less, but I replaced everything that was or could wear!
Unfortunatly I was involved in an accident 2 months back and my lovely ST4s was written off, only cosmetic damage but its now a cat D, I've bought it back and she will run again, but I have now realised I need a sensible bike to commute to London, and here comes the problem and reason for the long post...
...nothing floats my boat like a Ducati!
I've tried ZZR1200, VRF800, FJR1300, and various tourers including the Triumph Trophy 1200 and nothing is doing it, all the bikes ahve their merits but none gave me the buz of a 996 in full cry!
The solution is fairly simple, keep you ST4 on the road but get a reliable commuter like the utter boring but brilliant Deauville. Then, when it's sunny outside and you feel like it, take the ST4. It'll feel all the more special as well.I then used it every day to commute to london from Kent - a trip of nearly 700 miles per week.
Yes, things went wrong, the clutch was shagged and a crankshaft bearing failed, leading to a £2K full engine rebuild, yes I could have done it for less, but I replaced everything that was or could wear!
Unfortunatly I was involved in an accident 2 months back and my lovely ST4s was written off, only cosmetic damage but its now a cat D, I've bought it back and she will run again, but I have now realised I need a sensible bike to commute to London, and here comes the problem and reason for the long post...
...nothing floats my boat like a Ducati!
I've tried ZZR1200, VRF800, FJR1300, and various tourers including the Triumph Trophy 1200 and nothing is doing it, all the bikes ahve their merits but none gave me the buz of a 996 in full cry!
3doorPete said:
Looks lovely - I love the gold frames on the early 748/916 series. Just need some Gold Marchesinis to set it off.
Agreed there's something about the original gold frames and fairing panels, anyone else think the price of these will slowly go up? Seems like an absolute bargain the OP got it for.996 sps said:
3doorPete said:
Looks lovely - I love the gold frames on the early 748/916 series. Just need some Gold Marchesinis to set it off.
Agreed there's something about the original gold frames and fairing panels, anyone else think the price of these will slowly go up? Seems like an absolute bargain the OP got it for.I think 748s are bottoming out - not because people want the cheap ones, but because with interchangeable parts, they'll be being bought to break up.
Eventually I reckon they'll all rise - but it'll be the halo models first (already are - SPS, R, Foggy) followed by the best of the cooking models (748 SP, hopefully my 996S!).
I think 748s will go up, but they'll be like the RD250s to the RD350s - only really bought by those that want to be in the club, but can't stretch to 916/996/998 series.
All IMO of course!
Oil now changed, belts are replaced, air filter replaced (it did have one large pod filter over the trumpets but this has gone in favour of oem filters) and the bike is back together apart from the tank (will get new connectors and hoses tomorrow). Still got the rest of the service to do which I will complete tomorrow. The only thing i am going to leave is the valve clearances which I will do when the bike is off the road over the winter as this will obviously take it off the road for a while whilst waiting for shims etc to be delivered.
Overall it seems a really good bike to work on, everything seems 'quite' well designed and i have not found any seized or furry bolts yet. Can't wait to go out for a ride now
ETA a picture of the naked Ducati in the dining room (lucky my girlfriend is'nt back until next week
Overall it seems a really good bike to work on, everything seems 'quite' well designed and i have not found any seized or furry bolts yet. Can't wait to go out for a ride now
ETA a picture of the naked Ducati in the dining room (lucky my girlfriend is'nt back until next week
Edited by AceOfHearts on Friday 13th July 02:18
AceOfHearts said:
Oil now changed, belts are replaced, air filter replaced (it did have one large pod filter over the trumpets but this has gone in favour of oem filters) and the bike is back together apart from the tank (will get new connectors and hoses tomorrow). Still got the rest of the service to do which I will complete tomorrow. The only thing i am going to leave is the valve clearances which I will do when the bike is off the road over the winter as this will obviously take it off the road for a while whilst waiting for shims etc to be delivered.
Overall it seems a really good bike to work on, everything seems 'quite' well designed and i have not found any seized or furry bolts yet. Can't wait to go out for a ride now
ETA a picture of the naked Ducati in the dining room (lucky my girlfriend is'nt back until next week
A 748 being worked on in the dining room while the gf is away! Yes "its all about the bike" I've said to my mate for years if i ever have the opportunity my bike would be in the front room, oh and I would watch Moto GP sat on it, may even have it running.Overall it seems a really good bike to work on, everything seems 'quite' well designed and i have not found any seized or furry bolts yet. Can't wait to go out for a ride now
ETA a picture of the naked Ducati in the dining room (lucky my girlfriend is'nt back until next week
Edited by AceOfHearts on Friday 13th July 02:18
Hopefully you'll get a dry spell to use it.
ZesPak said:
GarryA said:
I think a dry spell is guaranteed if his GF sees this thread.
My thoughts exactly.
- wife: honey, you know what caused these stains on the floor?
- AoH: How should I know?
I did tell her it was going in the dining room. She can't complain though because the last thing that was in there was an engine i had to rebuild for her car 
Edited by AceOfHearts on Friday 13th July 13:29
3doorPete said:
Nice one - how did you find doing the belt change? Was the Haynes manual good enough or did you use a youtube guide etc?
The haynes was pretty good, but i knew roughly what to do because i did it on the 750ss. The 748 was quite a bit fiddlier though but definately not that hard. From start to finish would probably take 2-3 hours (including removing panels and tank etc. Lovely new belts:
This is what you can see with everything removed:
Edited by AceOfHearts on Friday 13th July 13:28
AceOfHearts said:
3doorPete said:
Nice one - how did you find doing the belt change? Was the Haynes manual good enough or did you use a youtube guide etc?
The haynes was pretty good, but i knew roughly what to do because i did it on the 750ss. The 748 was quite a bit fiddlier though but definately not that hard. From start to finish would probably take 2-3 hours (including removing panels and tank etc. Lovely new belts:
This is what you can see with everything removed:
Edited by AceOfHearts on Friday 13th July 13:28
996 sps said:
A O H, how much do you charge for a belt service on an SPS mate? And would the bike/engine be stored in the dining room or living room?
Joking asiide if you ever did want to give the service a go yourself you are more than welcome to bring the bike over and I will go through it with you. Parts and fluids came to about £200 on mine, and its always good having a play with bikes 
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