After a random visit from a neighbour at the New Year, it turns out he's the owner of a 748SP. It's not in terrible nick and he's spent a little money on belts etc. Flat tyres, damp garage etc. I don't think he's an out and out Ducati fan, so he might be persuaded. So, what would be considered fair for value, or more to the point, if I could get my hands on it, how much should I part with at most? It's a 2001 with 15k if I remember through the fog.
Hi Gareth - The 748sp seems to be the forgotten wee brother of the series, with the attention normally going to the 748R or to the 9xx series - which is entirely a shame - I quite like the short stroke 748 engine, and for most road use, the 748 is entirely useable. There was a fella in whitburn recently trying to sell his 748SPS for about £4500, which sounded like it was in decent running condition. Mike
Do some research, limited edition Sp Sps S R went down in spec over the years as a rule and the motors vary too.
Hi Mike Hope you're well. Long time no hear. I'd need to see it again in daylight and sober, but he said he only paid a couple of grand for it with a view to it being worth money in the future. I'd like to restore it to former glories. But if it starts heading into 3 and 4k with another couple to put to it.... I'll need to see it in daylight and sober....
If he's happy and your taking the risk and putting the hours in on a strip and re fresh see if he's happy at £2.5 to £3K, If your both happy then all's good and he's made a profit too
i thought the sp's were finished in 97 them went to the sps till 99 then the 748r came out in 2001-03 id double check its a real sp first.
Without knowing the bikes full history, I'd think 3-4k would be a good ball park figure for an SP. However and as has been stated, I don't think it can be an SP as they finished production in '98. The SPS ran until '99 then in 2000 the R was released running until '03 Take down the engine and frame number, then drop Ducati Italy an e-mail at: [email protected] Ask them to verify it's production history and they'll tell you (expect a phone call) if it's an SP or otherwise. Btw, yellow ones are worth more money... ;-) Also, there is an '95 SP for sale on ebay at the mo, fully restored with 25k on the clock, £9k... There is also an SPS at £7k & one at £6.3k. There is also a CAT C 748R at £6k - so if it's got some sort of pedigree and you snatch it for a good price, you're in luck. Enjoy the chase!
As above the SP finished and the SPS took over being actually manufactured mostly in 1998 but sold well into the 1999 model year. I have one of the last SPS's sold in this country as a UK model (there were only 100 imported of which only 20 were in 1999) and that was registered in October 1999. I very much doubt that an SP could be registered in 2001 as it had already been well and truly superseded by several other models by then. It could be a 748S however which along with the 748E would have been around at that time.
Actually, having re-read Ian Falloon's info on the SP, quite an impressive little machine and probably worth a good bit more than 3-4k if needing a bit work. Parts are tough to come by, but not impossible. Stick a picture up and I'm sure someone will be able to eye-ball the model.
Hardest parts to get hold of are the cams and pistons. The conrods on the SP were made by Pankl but were only steel. The SPS had Titanium rods and therefore was meant to have slightly better pickup. The SP was made in greater numbers but probably there are not too many left now as some will have been written off or no longer on the road, possibly not even being a viable repair in some cases.
Aye - doing well, thanks Gareth. Sounds like you need to invite yourself around to your neighbour again with a slab of beer
