Hi I have just started looking for my first Ducati and have settled on a 996BP in red as my weapon of choice. I have a few questions on them though: Should the mirrors be black or body coloured? Should the clutch cover have gaps so you can see the dry clutch inside? I have seen an Info Strada rep for sale (2002). All the other pictures I can see of this bike show this decal should be green but on this bike it is blue. would this indicate it is not a genuine race rep or was it blue on some of them? Also, I like them without all the decals so can they be removed or are they lacquered on? I have been to see one for sale (1998) and when I had a look at it there was a gap between the seat and the tank, 2 very small paint "runs" on the fairing (most people whould not see them but I am very picky) and the rear lights did not sit quite square in the rear faring. Is this normal Ducati quality or has it been down the road and not put back quite right? Thanks in advance.
mirrors should be black clutch cover should be solid if you are looking for factory original speck info strada is just a afterthought sticker , dont think 996 ever come out from the factory with that? there always a gap between seat and tank ( in my experience) they've changed to 5 spoke grey wheels in 2000 i beleive
good choice, love mine, prefered over 916 as it has a little more power, the first 1999 models had 3 spoke wheels, Updates in 2000 saw the wheels change to 5 spoke marchesini , mines a 1999 and has painted red mirrors as original, but see some with black, mainly later ones 2000 onwards, the infostrada decals are generally green but think the ruben xaus decals where blue , i generally find ducati panels fit really good ,so could be aftermarket ones, but you can tell by taking one off as they are ducati marked and aftermarket ones are quite light in comparison , you can buy infostrada aftermarket bodywork on ebay, so you can have a quick look, but also decal kits so owner may well have fitted them, unless they are lacquered over like the after market ones they should come off easily enough, on the clutch it sounds like it has an after market vented one fitted, common thing, i fitted one on mine ( just a few bolts to change), think you need to ask the seller if the bodywork is original and if the decals can be removed, and yes normally a slight gap between seat & tank kev
Thanks guys. What would you think a fair price to be for say a 2000 with 20k miles, reasonable service history, condition, etc?
does it not make the dry clutch noisier having the aftermarket case with the wholes in? Also, how heavy should the clutch be? Does it ease with age/miles?
yes rattles a bit more with open clutch cover, but more of the ducati sound for me ; ) clutches are quite heavy, common mod is new aftermarket " clutch slave cylinder" about 30% easier , have done mine and is better
That would explain why the 2 I have gone to see have such a different amount of squeeze required for the clutch. She looks well loved.
well worth going to see used 996 with someone who had an experience owning one before. could be costly otherwise...
Where are you ? There are old hands on this forum who are always willing to help for a bacon roll and a coffee or a variety of cheesy wotsits, cakes, biscuits or beer. Andy
Hemel Hempstead. I'm quite prepared and expecting to travel round most of southern and middle England.
I have the infostrada in blue and as kev cornwall has stated yes this was the Xaus/Bayliss colours, the green was Foggy, none of which i know of came from the factory in this paint schemes, I would suggest that the 1 you are looking at has aftermarket fairings on it, the stickers are under clearcoat on mine so they would not be easily removed, although mine came direct from Ducati manchester like this, I can only pressume that this was done to mine to enduce a sale (something dealers tend to do to shift bikes that arent selling, hence some Repsol Fireblades out there with black frames and swingarms these blades probably left japan Red), the blue infostrada scheme is actually from the 998 era and my 996s was first registerd in 2003 and actually left Balogna in 2001 as yellow, i dont think there ever was an Infostrada Rep released the closest would be a true Foggy rep and actually comes as a 916SPS which actually has a 996 engine these all have a plaque with a number stamped on the yolk. My one also has colour coded mirrors its a 2001 and has the 5 spoke wheels and frame in metallic grey, the clutch cover should also be solid as standard.
That's all great info guys. Thanks. Re servicing, I believe they should have a minor service every year and a larger one every other year. What should be in these services? Also, I have been told they should have additional (and expensive) work every 6k and 12k as well. What are these for? Does it matter if they have been stood around for years and not used or serviced IF they have the big 12k service done?
My advice would be, buy the first one you like, find all the problems we've all had, curse, swear, spend money you haven't got but believe it's all worth it just to own a Ducati. Then you'll be a real Ducati fan Of course other advice is available which may help keep your marriage, hair and bank balance
I give mine a normal service every year oil, coolant, brake,clutch fluid, throttle adjustment if needed, belt tensioning,oil filter, belt change every 2 years or 12000 miles which ever comes first lucky if mine do 2000 miles, valve clearance every 6000, it is good practice when you have dumped your coolant and oil to remove alternator rotor casing and check main crankshaft alternater rotor nut for correct torque, i do this once a year as they can come loose, ( something that was loose when i bought mine and turns out very expensive even doing the work yourself, from replacing gearings to sprag clutches to later having to go back in because the crankshaft bearings have been damaged)!!! A half hour job that can save you a lot of cash with the use of thread locker. Always remember you are not buying a jap inline 4 and never expect to treat it like 1. You will swear prefusely at her maybe it be in the garage or at the side of a road somewhere when you have broken down but you will love her dearly!!! Prepare to be the route of all banter from your mates regarding if your bike is going to make it home or not, but all of this will be worth it too see the disgust in their faces when parked up in the street that passers by mearly look at their bikes but take time to stop and adore yours
