@XH558 it is indeed sir but these things happen...she's safe and loved now! I'm told there are those on here skilled in the art of decoding the Bologna heiroglyphs, I've been helpfully advised that this 748s has a pretty late frame number and one of the last to roll off the line but I'm no expert in these matters. 014398. Would be great to find out more. Was there such a thing as a final edition back then? How many more came after 014398? \ Excuse the wife's old drawers plugging the manifold outlets, more glyphs! I had some spare time last night and set about the clocks, used the WD40 + wife's old drawers on a wooden spoon method, came up nicely. Before; After;
To adhere to forum etiquette here's me as a young Dave, 20 years ago with the original 2000 748s that sparked my life long love affair with Ducati and motorcycles in general. Every ride was an occasion on this beauty, including the snapped chain at 90mph (ahem, officer) and the resultant 5 mile push back home in my onesie. For some reason I took to painting the wheels gold and added a number board from Casoli Moto if I remember rightly with gold edging and a set of carbon Termi's. My mechanical ability back then extended to opening up the filler cap. Gratuitous bin shot included...excuse my younger more posey self, If I'm able to breathe in enough I'll do a then and now when I'm done for the family album.
And did the modelling career really take off? only messing, Love these threads and 748's seem to be really on the up at the mo judging by what people want for ratty ones, can't believe I sold mine all those years ago for not enough!
Sadly not sir! I've got the original bill of sale and to be honest for nigh on 20 years a 748 would have been far better than most investments at the time from an inflation perspective! Powerful tool hindsight...I should've kept mine hermetically sealed
Yeah, for sure, hindsight is powerful but would make us all very boring, and wouldn't have had a load of other great experiences. Although I'd have quite liked some hindsight when it came to my ex wife.. anyway..
Snap sir, but that's a different forum entirely and this is hopefully a happy ever after tale, rather than watch a load of solicitors peck the bones of a carcass kind of tale...not that I'm bitter you understand.
Congratulations on that bike, looking at some of the photos it’s going to be a real cracker judging by the immaculate radiator etc. But why not ride it as is for a few months as she is and fully sort over winter? Summer is short (a bit hot at present but that won’t last). EDIT. Obviously after belts, oil etc.
@RC1 This is probably as far as I'll go for now, it's a good honest bike, I'm not going for concourse, cleaning proper starts at the weekend and then the spares list will be ordered. Really chuffed at how easy everything is coming apart, some dodgy wiring bodges but bolts feel good, threads all fine and the important pieces are all there. I shall change the belts myself, never done it before but have a good knowledgable friend on hand to support.
@Expat Jack It's a good shout but I can only verify history until 2015, not comfortable running as is, fluids, belts, filters, pads, seals, gaskets, usual stuff will make sure she outlives me for someone else to enjoy when I'm too old to climb aboard.
02 for 2002? From the airbox, is anyone able to decode? Horizontal timing cover Covid permitting I'm riding to World Ducati week on this beauty...
yep all looks original and age appropriate to me. the casing is may 02 and the cam cover feb 02 are you replacing rubber hoses or see how you go?
Good score! Must be like a trip down memory lane. The tamburini bikes are designed to be taken apart, rebuit/restored easily and quickly. And a pleasure to work on, tbh. I picked up my 916 a couple of years ago, and like yours hadn't been touched in over a decade. Apart from the usual recommission stuff, I think upgrading to metal fuel disconnects is worth thinking about as the plastic ones deteriorate over time. The numbers seem a mix of OEM part numbers and batch pressings. 02 on the engine is indeed indicative of the year manufactured. Keep the photos coming.
hoses look good @RC1 the only really perished item is the airbox gasket, everything else looks commensurate with sub 3K mile machine that’s had a long sabbatical
Probably a good idea to check the air box breather hose when you do the air box gasket. The new (OEM) air box gaskets seem to be slightly taller than the originals when you fit them but they do settle down after a while.
It really is, amazing really, lots of emotions stirred up working on this one, the first registered date is the same as my mother’s birthday, bit of a shock when I saw that for the first time on the V5
You’re Simon Cowell aren’t you? If not thought of already check the air filters in the intake tubes they have a habit of crumbling after a good few years and then the bits will get sucked into the engine . Also, dare I say it, swing arm pivot bolt. You ought to get that bad boy out, cleaned, greased & back in. It’s probably a good idea to start applying penetrating fluid to it now and do it daily, just in case.
