748, talk to me :)

Lockwired nuts doesn't mean racing, most I know have lockwire on them. It adds a little to the look but also stops them working loose.

if the SH is right, and the price, why not. If its good nick so worst case its a good service, factor it in. 8k seems a bit much...

but miles isnt a concern. I'd happily takes Matts off him and he has over 30k miles on it.

 

Offer him 7k

 

Firstly, none of your early comments about graphics etc sound silly at all, your spending a lot to get something really rare and it's essential that you get EXACTLY what you want.

It's great that it has all the original parts, especially the wheels as the temptation to flog them on to get spare cash is often high if it's an owner who has scraped together the money to buy it 2nd hand.

I would arrange to go and sit down with them and paw through the history, for example, arrange two columns of paperwork; on the left lay out as many of the MOT certs as possible and look carefully at the mileages; then try to fit in the service reciepts along that journey in a separate column. You will soon see gaps!

If the bike hasn't had CamBelts in the last year, you should factor in a full cambelt service; so that will mean you deffo need to be putting pressure on them for price. If they say 'we will do a cambelt service for you then' I would say no, as they are a car dealer, they have no idea what they are doing, go to a Ducati trained technician.

Also, if he tries to offer you a warranty then tell him to stick it, if it's a 3rd party warranty it won't be worth the paper it's written on. We spent a year fighting one about our Audi recently because they claimed it had the wrong gearbox oil in it (causing the failure, even though it was declared as a ECU fault).

Anyway... if you are 100% confident, then offer a 'trade sale' no hassle for the dealer, you pay and walk away!

Why not speak to a local Ducati tech and see if you can pay him £75-100 to come with you and act as your 'mate' and give it a good look over? worth £100 on this sort of thing, you have lost £3000 if it's a frog.

 

Internal engine inspection BEFORE you buy? Get real. If the paperwork tallies, the condition looks right, the money is right buy it. If not, don't.

but if you approach all bikes like this one, you'll never buy anything

 

I wasn't recommending you get a Ducati guy to take the engine apart! Simply another pair of eyes who would know if there is anything suspect there.

 

Probably more to do with checking its a real one than the state of it. Sandcast casings for example. But if its like the pics its been looked after

 

I imagine that u can get these from Ducati? Maybe someone has an online link where they can be redeemed from the reg, at least this would tell u if both are as they came out the factory.

Assuming Ducati's records were always accurate back then, eek!

 

Don't think the V5 will say sps? But could be wrong, quite a while since I had mine. Lots of plaques get sold (I know I sold one! With the frame...) so its overall.

Mine was a 98 version and had carbon airbox as std, thought most if not all did

 

If uou can get the engine and chassis no, email Ducati

 

Won't he deliver it to Ducati Manchester, you have it inspected and if it's OK you buy it there and then? if there is a significant problem with the bike he takes it home, if the seller has nothing to hide then it shouldn't be a problem, I bought two older 911's this way.

 

If I were the seller i'd piss myself if someone asked me to take it to their dealer to check before buying.

 

Because, in my experience, its likely a reason will be found whatever its described as or looks etc not to buy and just waste my time. I'd sense plenty of teeth sucking and a low offer, hoping as I'd taken time effort and maybe cost I may as well take the deal.

Heres the evidence, theres the product, buyer beware applies.

only my view, doesn't cost to ask, but wouldn't be offended if he laughs...

 

Both sold now sadly, firstly a 1977 Carrera 3.0 and then 1992 964 RS