Hi again.I posted this thread about my 748 SPS : https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/748-sps-is-there-any-hope.61652/ As mentioned in that thread, I have got the oportunity to buy a MY 2000 748 SPS. The drawback is, no service book. I have contacted 2 of the owners before the current one to get the history of the bike : 2008 - 2012 The bike had 30.000 km on the clock, and the owner was informed that the belts had been changed at 27-28.000 km, but the valves had not been adjusted. This owner changed the timing belts by him self twice in this period. The stator, rectifier and clutch was changed as well. At the end of his ownership the bike was not running well, lack of Power and running rough at 6-7000 rpm and up. He was planning to send it to service, but since he lives 1600 km. from the nearest Ducati dealer he dropped the idea and sold it for a very low price to a good friend who wanted to have it as a Project. He had a talk With the Ducati dealer, and they mentiond that the lack of Power may be due to bad valve adjustment, but they could not guarantee anything before they had it in their hands. The SPS tail was damaged during this ownership. A bag was strapped directly to the tail, and broke off when he run it on a very bumpy road. It was not possible for him to get a SPS tail. The bike tipped over when this happened (at very low speed), and the side fairing was scratched. as well as the brake handle and steering bar. Everything was replaced With original parts. 2012 - 2016 His friend lost the entusiasm for the bike, and did'nt actually do much. He intended to ship it to a Ducati dealer for a full service, but, he lives in Northern part of Norway as well, and just the shipping to and from the dealer would be abt. 1200 pounds. In 2016 it was sold to the current owner. All the problems was informed to him. The current owner informs that the timing belts needs replacement, but don't mention the rough running. I have told the current owner that I will contact previous owners, and it was OK for (of course it should). The bike have barely been run for at least the last 5 - 6 years, and have allways been stored indoor by all 3 owners. I dont know the history of the bike before that. Typical prices for 748's, 916's and 996's in Norway is 6500 pounds and up. Denmark have similar pricelevel. A full service With New timing belts and valve adjustment/check will cost abt. 1000 pound. rocker arms, depending on which, will cost abt. 200 pounds. Questions : Does anyone on this forum now what the cause of the rough running may be, or have you experienced similar symptoms ? The bike looks almost like New, cosmetically. Is it Worth the risk to buy it ? I'm going to argue to the seller that the bike have been neglected and that I'm not taking the risk of buying it for 3800. I really loved my 748 SPS that burned, and I really enjoyed owning a bike that not everyone haves. This may be the oportunity to get a similar bike.
You would be correct to argue that the bike has been neglected and if i were you would ask for at least 800 pound off I doubt air and fuel filters have ever been touched Rough running at 7000 revs could be down to fuel starvation due to blocked filter and or spark plugs past their best. It appeas to have been stood idle for long periods so all sots of muck could be in the tank You would also need to drop the oil and filter it as you do to see if any chrome particles are visible which would indicate flaking rockers Valve check and adjustment + loads more to set it up correctly All that amounts to a pretty large sum more so at a dealer Bike looks worth the effort at the right price
Hei. Thanks for anwering. I forgot to mention : According to the current owner, the tanks was cleaned, and both fuel- and oil filter were replaced last year. The plugs was replaced as well. Anyhow, I don't have the impression that he know Ducati's that well. So, probably, the mesh filter haven't been cleaned and checked. Then it should be possible to read some of the history/ status of the rocker arms.
I doubt the rough running would be valve adjustment, most likely a fuelling issue, however if your rockers have failing plating that’s a horrifically expensive job so as above if you can check the oil/filter for signs of plating then you should do it, chances are they are OK but if they are not it’s £££££, hope it pans out OK for you it’s a nice looking bike.
Like the others all ready said,i also think you should check fuel,air and ignition first. Don’t think the valves would cause this probleme of they should be way off. Henk!!!
Crank sensors can be a source of poor running / misfiring at higher revs. Sometimes they just fail altogether, sometimes they are ok cold but fail when hot, sometimes they just cause poor running at any revs. Certainly worth checking.
OK, Thanks a lot for all hjelp and advices. Making it feel less risky to buy. Anyhow, you never know when buying a almost 20 year old bike. Just to have a «safe» start of ownership, I’m going to have a full service of the bike. Hopefully the rockers are OK, but I will take into account that some may need replacement.
Hi again. Have just spoked with the owner again. The bike was not running at all when he bought the bike, The reason for not running properly was AS mentioned by you all. Filter, fuel, air and plugs. Before the fuel filter was replaced the tank was cleaned, and of course air filter and plugs are new. Noe the bike is running fine. I just wanted to tell you that you were spot on by your «remote diagnoses». It’s good to have so much experience available.
