Factory Racing 748

Okay, so I'm disappointed that I ran out of creative juices and time to come up with a paint scheme to match the Ducati 748 Cup carbon fibre race seat and I made a mistake in sourcing a 998R fairing kit because it's far too narrow for the 748R engine, especially at the water pump. But the bike is fully serviced, got new rubber and it will be on its way to Cartagena at midday tomorrow. I'm not sure 3 days on a Spanish track is the brightest idea for the first time I will have ridden the bike in its late 90s Factory Racing chassis spec but you can't say I'm not game . I will be taking a Drift Ghost HD S with me and hope to get some video if I can work out how to operate the camera and securely attach it to the bike. I've been anticipating this moment ever since my girlfriend said she was buying me the track weekend for my 60th birthday and with 2 days before we fly to Spain, I'm beginning to feel like a kid whose Christmases and birthdays have all come at once.

 

So that, as far as I am aware, is the way the RS axle and wheel nut work. The axle is drilled diametrically opposite for the pin and the wheel nut doesn't have the castelations. To be honest when I sourced the 30mm off set triple clamps and Brembo race rear caliper the guy threw in the wheel nut and pin and you are right, it looks different. Don't know why but the CRC fibreglass fairing definintely doesn't fit and I ended up adding a 2 inch spacer between the two frame fixings and the fairing. Andy

 

I've no idea why, they just didn't. Everything is standard except the DP 916 race fairing bracket which fits snuggly and the 50mm 996 sps exhaust system which doesn't foul anywhere. I bodged the fit without buggering either the frame mounts or the fairing tabs so no harm done, it just looks odd. Andy

 

Yes I thought that but unfortunately you would need to ask Barry or Scooter at Moto Rapido. They did the final ride height settings based on the yokes and the mag alloy swing arm. The 3 days at Cartagena at the end of next week will give me an opportunity to play with settings. I have started with the 23.5 degree race head angle and what I believe to be stock ride heights front and back and I expect to assess the turn in and general handling as the weekend progresses. I'm no expert and have a "suck it and see" approach. So long as I don't fall off, I'm hoping to be able to find the sweet spot but only time will tell. I'm under no illustion that this will be a voyage of discovery and I'm really looking forward to it what ever the outcome. If all else fails I've got Silverstone to continue the development. Andy

 

Hi Andy, stock 748R Ohlins with Ktech springs in the front and a 748RS Ohlins shock on the rear both newly serviced and set up on the soft side for my preference. The workshop guys at Moto Rapido have set the ride height and done the general prep work so with luck and a fair wind only small adjustments will be the order of the day. Andy

 

Depends on who you call a dwarf. If you are over 7ft then yes, if you are 5' 11", who are you calling short little man ? I have no reason to assume MRs have made a mistake but clearly my first ride is going to be interesting. I am also sure that there will be someone at Cartagena that will be able to point me in the right direction and adjusting the forks isn't rocket science.

 

Okay, I have just arrived home after spending Friday, Saturday and Sunday on track at Cartagena with Focussed Events. Can't say I was prepared for the shear physical agony after 7 or 8, 20 minute sessions every day and have to admit to taking pain killers on Sunday morning to get started but every second was worth it. The bike behaved brilliantly, not once missing a beat, predictable and consistent turn in, held a line and apart from when I screwed up, not an anxious moment. First lesson, remember to order a fairing with a side stand cutout as it become a juggling exercise when you can't quite pull up on your toe to throw your leg over the seat and you lose your balance because you are so knackered and there is nothing to support the bike. My new garage buddies all laughed but helped the old man in his time of need. Second thing was no-one took any notice of the rules and requirements for draining fuel out and disconnecting the battery before shipping, you could sleep four blokes in some of the "kit bags" and the "2'x1'x1'" toolboxes that some people took. Third thing is to sign up with one of the proffesional instructor sessions on the first day. We had Tommy Hill and Andrew Pitt to learn from and on first hand aquaintance both are absolutely top riders and top blokes.
I need sleep now but will post a few pictures and put some detail on how the bike performed soon. Andy

 

So a brief resume of the build - std 2001 748R engine and frame, 996sps 50mm exhaust system, JHP eprom and some light tweaking, Ducati 916 Racing magnesium alloy 30mm offset triple clamp, std 748R 53mm Ohlins front forks with 36-260-90 (9.0N) KTech springs, Brembo billet clutch and cast front brake master cylinders, Brembo 320mm (6mm) fully floating race discs, std Brembo 748R front brake calipers, Marchesini road and track magnesium alloy 3.5x17 front and 6x17 rear wheels, Metzler Racetech Interact K3s 120x70 front and 190x55 rear, Ohlins DU9260 748RS rear shock, DP clone height adjuster, Ducati Factory Racing Supersport magnesium alloy swing arm 110mm pivot distance and 19mm longer than std, modified std road axle, 15 tooth front sproket/41 tooth rear sprocket, AFAM Q/R sprocket carrier, 998R cush drive, Brembo semi floating 200mm racing rear disc and Brembo performace rear caliper, CRC 998R bodywork, Ducati 916 Racing front fairing bracket, Ducati MS 748 Cup carbon fibre race seat. Having had time to think about the build, I'd say the overall set up was conservative having predictable turn in, good line stability and strong if not snappy acceleration out of the corners. No hint of spinning up or a wheelie under acceleration although at about 9000rpm the bike took off. A 3 day track holiday was a bit adventurous for a first ride with the bike and after a few years lay off but if you asked will I do it again, without hesitation damn right I would despite the aches and pains and blisters. Finally, just a few photos of me and my girlfriend.