Greetings folks, I am looking for a nice loved late model 748S and have some questions. One main one is that there is one advertised on a well known Auction site (and elsewhere), so I want to find out about any experiences members may have with one... Key points for me are the speedo / odometer (fixable I suggest) but also I wonder about the Certificate of Conformity (CofC) some people are finding on other marques if you try and go through a ULEZ zone and also servicing / spares at some main dealers. I also here that some bikes 'may' be down on power depending on the market it originally came from... A final small point is that I have noticed some 748S bikes do not have the '748S' logo on the rear seat cowl, is it due to being an early 748S or is there some other reason people may know about? Any experience on this and any advice would be welcome! Cheers
This link might help, https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/748-b-sp-sps-e-s-r-the-differences.21943/. This is the bike at Allenby’s ? Not sure if they mean the bike was imported from new or not but there should be some sort of history with 1 declared owner On first glance, for me, the wear on the rear sprocket looks more than 5600kms. Finding a suitable replacement speedo could be problematical. Andy Edit : my mistake, I think it’s the rev counter that depends on the P8/1.6M engine management.
A parallel import you say, well they're actually all imports so about the only way a parallel would differ (other than speedo/headlight dip which are both easily changeable, if not already done) would be warranty which at 20 years old isn't an issue. I suppose a French model, limited to 100hp (if they were?) could be an issue on a 916/996/998 but not a 748 but then, again easily fixed. I bought my 916 new as a parallel import, it came from Italy (does anyone actually think the Italian model was somehow inferior to the UK model?) and I saved £2,250 over an official import for the same bike, I even got warranty/recall notices through Ducati with no issues. Slightly O/T and not strictly a parallel import, rather just an import (what's the difference?) but I also bought my old Guzzi from Italy, albeit at 35 years old and I don't think anyone is advocating that it's in any way inferior to a UK supplied model, if anything it's better as it's seen less crap weather/salt on the road etc. So, if the bike is right then buy it because, regardless of how it got here, it came from the same factory as all the others...
Though the "lower power" is worth checking. I seem to remember seeing Japanese version imports being marked as reduced bhp a few times? But if its easily resolved who cares, for example on my VFR400 NC30, an added dohicky to the cable changed the speedo readings from Kph to Mph and in doing so eliminated the speed restrictor.
My 900ss is a parallel import. The Speedo has a MPH sticker on the glass covering the KPH underneath. Thats it, everything else seems the same as a regular imported version.
Ducati speedos of that era were just a mechanical device, not linked to power/speed limiter in any way. Whilst I now have a digital dash on my 916, I did swap the old Kmh speedo for an Mph model, IIRC it cost me around £80 but an Mph overlay on the Kmh speedo is perfectly usable if you don't want to spend a few quid. I did the same on my Guzzi, bought a Nos genuine Guzzi speedo from ebay for around the same £80. As for lower power models, I don't know how they were restricted for the 100hp limit market (if they really were?) but I would guess at a 'special' eprom or maybe a simple throttle restrictor, either would be easy to fix and I would wager it's already been done - how many French (or otherwise) owners would keep an active restrictor on a bike for 20 years? - It would be the first 'mod' that I would make. But as mentioned above, on an older bike no-one is going to be bothered, other than the 'rivet counter' Varese built model seeker that has to have all original parts, including 25 year old Michelin Hi-Sport tyres. But then, what do I know? none of my bikes are original, I have modified/improved them all in some way to make the riding experience better, I care not for concours/originality as I buy them to ride, not as investments.
Good points Dukedesmo and it was what I was thinking! Oh and I have also had experience with a Lemans II Guzzi (it was new in 1981 but was tricky to start on the electric start!)
Thanks Android 823SP - The one I was looking at was indeed the one at 'Allenby's'. I like the later Marchesini wheels and think the later versions had the adjustable headstock ( well 2 positions anyway)? I think I will make a few enquiries and about the rear sprocket - good shout!
Well folks, I am now becoming more confident following your replies, so thank you all very much. I shall see what the seller says! IF it is a non starter, then I will place a 'wanted' ad on this forum I think and see if there are any loved examples looking for a new home. Oh and were the early models only fitted with the grey 3 spoke wheels and matching grey frame I wonder or did a few get the Marchasini 5 spoke wheels (depending what was available in the Ducati parts bin of the time?).
Early models would have had 3-spoke wheels in gold/bronze to match the frame, I think they changed to grey around 1999/2000? Not sure on the 5-spoke because, IIRC 748E retained the old style 3-spoke so, 5-spoke were probably fitted from a certain year on to distinguish non 'E' models?
Early 748 also had the adjustable headstock - I believe only the later E models didn't have that feature.
