Good day... 16 or more years ago I bought what i was told was a 748r with a 996 engine.. I had it MOTd several times and then it lay up for ten years... The V5 said the frame was 000085 and the engine number was ZDM996W4*006$$$*. Yesterday I had it MOTd for only the second time in ten years when the mechanic who was a dacati enthusiast gently sanded the headstock through the powdercoating to reveal the real frame number which is ZDM996W4*006$$$* It has an ohlins rear and is lovely. Is it an SPS?? The date of registration says 95!!??? Has it been raced and given an ealier V5? Sitting here scratching my head....
Pictures ? Normally, the V5 registration number goes with the frame, not the engine. If you have a 1995 registration, it’s most unlikely to be a 748R. The absolute earliest 748R would be 1999/2000. Andy
The engine number was correct. The frame number was IDd by the mechanic and put on the MOT incorrectly. Ive just checked and on the frame is ZDM748S*0006$$ below that is DGM53$$ 50M
DGM is the homologation number On an Italian frame number the IGM or DGM number appear after the frame number. DGM means simply Direzione Generale Motorizzazione that is the main place where all the vehicles are tested and they get an homologation. IGM means Ispettorato Generale Motorizzazione, and is actually the same thing. ZDM will be the frame number... Characters 1-3: World Manufacturer Identifier Z = Italy D = Ducati M = Motorcycle ( i.e. ZDM = Ducati) Vehicle Descriptor Section The 4th through 8th positions in the VIN are the Vehicle Descriptor Section or VDS. This is used, according to local regulations, to identify the vehicle type and may include information on the platform used, the model, and the body style. Each manufacturer has a unique system for using this field. Character 4: Motorcycle Type 1 = street version 2 = dual purpose version 3 = off-highway racing version Character 5: Motorcycle Model D = (example: 1987 Paso 748) G = (example: 1987 750 F1 Laguna Seca) H = homologation model K = (example: 1990 750 Sport) L = supersport M = (example: 1992 Paso 9071e) N = (example: 1993 750SS) P = (example: 1995 E900 Elefant) S = hypersport/superbike R = monster, T = sport touring U = 9X9 series V = Multistrada W = GT1000 Character 6: Engine Type A = air-cooled twin B = liquid-cooled twin C = air/oil-cooled twin 7 = race model variations 9 = race model variation Character 7: Engine Displacement 1 = (examples: none) 2 = 600cc (examples: 620SS) 3 = 750cc (examples: Paso 748, 750 Sport, 750SS, 748/R, Monster 750, 749) 3 = Australian 1996 900SS 4 = 900cc (examples: 900SS, M900e Mike Hailwood) 5 = (examples: 996, 998, 999, ST4S) 6 = (examples: 851) 7 = (examples: 888 SPO) 8 = (examples: 916, Monster S4, Monster 1000) 9 = (examples: 996R) 0 = (examples: Mike Hailwood Mille 1000) B = (examples: GT1000 (992cc)) Character 8: Net Brake Horsepower The following examples are for US models except where noted. H = (examples: 1990 750 Sport) K = (examples: 1999 750SS, 2003 620SS) L = (examples: 1995 E900 Elefant, 1998 Monster 750) M = (examples: 1993 750SS, 1987 750 F1 Laguna Seca) N = (examples: 1987 Paso 748, 1992 Paso 907ie, 1992 900SS, 1994 Monster 900, 1999 900SS, 2002 MH900e Mike Hailwood) P = (examples: 1998 ST2, 2003 Monster 1000, 2004 Multistrada) R = (examples: Mille 1000 Mike Hailwood, 1990 851, 1993 888SPO, 1998 748/S) S = (examples: 1995 916, 2002 Monster S4, 2000 748R, 2003 749) T = (examples: 1988 851 Tri-Color Racer, 2000 996/S, 2002 ST4S, 2003 999) V = (examples: 1998 916SPS, 2000 996SPS, 1999 998/998S, 2003 999S) Character 9: Check Digit A calculated number that is used to verify the validity of the VIN. A single number or the letter X only. Character 10: Model Year Code 9 = 1979 A = 1980 B = 1981 C = 1982 D = 1983 E = 1984 F = 1985 G = 1986 H = 1987 J = 1988 K = 1989 L = 1990 M = 1991 N = 1992 P = 1993 R = 1994 S = 1995 T = 1996 V = 1997 W = 1998 X = 1999 Y = 2000 1 = 2001 2 = 2002 3 = 2003 4 = 2004 5 = 2005 6 = 2006 7 = 2007 8 = 2008 9 = 2009 Character 11: Manufacturing Plant Code B = Bologna Italy V = Varese Italy (the old MV factory) Characters 12-17: Production Number (six-digit sequential) ZDM748S suggests 748 Strada not 748S... I don't know if ZDM748S covers SP/SPS homologated models... I'll go have a look in my grimoire and see if I can help. Andy was right, R is '00MY onward. Update: ZDM748S includes SP/SPS, other identifiers would be: floating front discs ohlins shock alloy single seat subframe yellow u1 inlet cam a exhaust cam 060/066/etc eprom huge midrange hole oil cooler is all I can think of compared to a 95 - 97 748. all of them had the adj steering head. 98 sps model had 45/50mm cross over std. check the cams or the eprom. some of them had a green dot on top of the lh case behind the vertical cylinder, maybe 15mm diameter.
Many thanks! There are quite a few ticks on the list there. inc yellow, monoposto, the midrange hole, ohlins shock and floating discs. Sorry for the initial confusion.
are you saying the frame number on the V5 you have doesn't correspond to the frame number on the headstock? I would be more concerned that the bike is a ringer/nicked/etc than excited it may be an sps..
Yes. There is always that possibilty but I also suspect that the bike was raced originally and the powdercoated frame was part of that, covering up the actual frame number and a random number then aplied for the first? V5. Time will tell.. Awaiting a response from Ducati.
Regardless of the reasons, if the V5 you have doesn't match the factory frame number then it's a ringer.. so at best it's 'incorrectly registered' so you'd need to go through the DVLA and get it properly registered, probably ending up on a Q plate. Worst case scenario it's been a cat B write off and can't be on the road, or the whole bike or parts of it are stolen. All of the above are headaches for proof of ownership, insurance etc.. This is a massive can of worms unfortunately, hopefully it doesn't have a sad ending for you
Whatever the reasons are for the dicrepancy, albeit I was made aware that the frame was raced, there is a section on the V5 for updating such information and a little explanation goes a long way i.e powdercoating covering up the actual number. Being an actual 748 VIN number helps to confirm the back story and I will now update the V5 which has been in place for many years and has been through many many MOTs. The engine number was on the V5 and is correct. I am obviously aware of any potential worst case scenarios and didnt feel any need to catastrophise the situation with every single possible outcome. Thanks for that.
Bloody hell, optimism in action… People make mistakes on paperwork. My MHR was such a case. Was fine after a bit of to and froing.
