Aye I hear you but the changes were all done before I bought it. Maybe I should take the 3 spokes off my 748 and swap them over, seems odd to do so though. Thanks for the posts guys. I was tearing my hair out.
I suspect half of the knobheads messaging you are on here. Some seem to think it’s sport to piss people off when they see something that, in their view, is ‘wrong’ or ‘misleading’ or just simply bad. Glws
Normal time wasters I don't have an issue with but people who you have given all the information to who then call you a scam artist, or the one who hoped I got cancer are just so unwarranted.
It's getting more and more difficult to vet and determine genuine buyers today, I think I would say you are happy to show documents to people when they call to look at the bike. When you explain that it's after being advised about cloning then this ought to be an adequate reason to a keen buyer.
I know it's hard to do/easy for me to say but you need to just shrug it off - there are some good people out there (i hope)
Agree with Ricky's post. I'd add the detail about wheels, non standard bits and price reflects that, so as to wheedle out knob heads and invite genuine interest. The Ad right now reads like an under priced, low mileage example, ie scam.
There’s absolutely no excuse for people to be abusive - who are these people who believe they have the right to do that?? Anyway, as has been said - if you list the non standard bits and explain why etc then I think that would definitely help. I agree that it should have 3 spoke wheels however...I prefer the 5 spokes myself (as was on my 97 SPS bitsa). Good luck with the sale.
How many ebay bikes posts have you seen where members here start bantering sellers with shite comments? Some may be scams, some may be like the OP's ad: a little lacking in detail buy genuine. So go have a look and you'll see who some are...sure it wont be a surprise
BTW agree about the 5 spokes. f I bought it, I'd be inclined to have them coated to match frame and keep an eye out for the std 3 spokes just to stowaway somewhere
At the price it is up at it strikes me as a relative bargain. Think I would get the wheels and seat sorted and price it higher. Everyone thinks a 916 represents an investment now but only these rarer models will prove to be so IMHO. In any case No one can predict what the effect on value will be when petrol becomes a scarce commodity. I suspect most will be worth jackshit.
I’d seen the advert proir to seeing this post .. my initial opinion was it’s a scam or it’s not an SPS
Looks a great bike for the money! Those plaques are unfortunately nickable - the one on my 996SPS has a rivet missing and a gouge out of it where some herbert tried to have it away before my time. Part of the problem re all the haters / experts is that there are so many dodgy bikes on eBay - half done projects, bitsas or "only something really simple needed to make it perfect, but I don't have time" Oh really? That's probably because it's almost impossible to do!! Consequently, everyone expects a bargain, and some bikes do seem to sell for very low money, but others, like an RG500 Gamma Sukuki, go for astronomical money (and they're not very good, I had one in 1986!) Have you thought about Car and Classic - I think their ads are free, or there are some good specialist Facebook Groups for different Ducati models. These attract viewers from all over the world, so be prepared for "will you ship it to New Mexico?" type questions. So I'm not looking forward to the day when I decide to part with my older bikes - hopefully some way off. Good luck with your sale!
I believe that 916 series originally had 6" wheels for 190/50 tyre, whereas 748 series had 5.5" for 180/55, making the 748 slightly more nimble. Mixing & matching is no big deal, and people did it, except 190 on 5.5" might foul your hugger. So many people changed the original 3 spokes for Marchesini 5 spokes that they could almost be regarded as standard, although the ones to have were forged (but not in the way that you are being accused). If the asshol;es really wanted originality, they would surely prefer the standard Al pipes with the cooking EEPROM as supplied new, rather than Termignoni and the race chip, both of which would have been swapped by the dealer on first service. My 748SPS had Arrow pipes as the "non-road" option, but no doubt someone will wrongly tell me that they aren't original. In 1998, 748SPS definitely came with Showa forks, Ohlins shock and non-adjustable steering damper; I thought 916SPS same vintage had Ohlins forks and adjustable steering damper. SPS frames had adjustable headstock and consequently, 2 locations for steering damper, so a photo of that area in your ad would help. If your prospective purchaser can't come to terms with the fact that their idea of originality might be different from your example, they are never going to be satisfied, so I agree that you either wait until someone sensible see this bargain for what it is and snaps it up, or you repaint the seat, put some 3 spokers on and put the price up. Good luck!
Thank you all for your advice. I'm going to have it resprayed back to factory, that's what credit cards are for . I've also found a company who can make me a new plaque. Could any of you please send me via PM a good picture and dims of the plaque, I am happy to send you the letter from Ducati as well as the other docs I have to prove its legitimacy before you send said pictures.
They all had 5.5" rear wheels, on the 916 they simply fitted the larger tyre. My 916 had a problem due to the wheelnut not being tightned at the PDI, after a few weeks it was making an audible/feelable knock under acceleration as the pins in the hub had ovalled the holes in the wheel (and the hub). Hub & wheel were replaced under warranty but due to supply problems (Ducati in the 90's, who'd have thought it?) the replacement rear wheel was a new but old stock 'Ducati Racing' wheel, it was still a 5.5" though. All 916 had adjustable headstock, only the later 748 'E' models didn't.
So, from a subjective viewpoint, if I have a new plaque made, repaint the bike and change the wheels, what would you say the value should be? 9650 miles, 6 owners, full history etc.
