Just seen this thread and have had a read from the beginning... Loving the finished bike!! It is amazing how time flys I think i'm into year six os a six months project... ;-) I'm looking for a 748 possibly a late R for a resto/tidy up job..
Yes, Fully running now just needs paint and seat trim... I'm 1/4 way on a new project ZXR400 J2 or SP model and looking for my next one ideally a Late 748R Olins 2001-2002 or may be a 916 SPS etc..
A 748R would be nice to have good luck finding a project one. Ive a 900ss as my next project and now been looking for a little Ducati 48 sport as a project.
Noticed i had a slight leak on the upper coolant tank back in march and when i started to have a look thats when my Tendon snapped in my righthand so job has been on hold until this evening, Once tank and airbox off i could see where the leak was coming from bottom of the filler plug and running down and dripping on the top of the rad. For the life of me i couldn't think how it could leak there as coolant level is below the filler plug and I've not used the bike since last October Then it came to me how, every winter i leave my bikes on rear paddock stands and now and again push down on the bars to move the forks/seals which also sloshes the coolant about in the tank, last time i replaced the tank i didn't renew the green o ring and that was in 2016 its probably the original one which has worn/shrunk. View attachment 323869
I have been having an issue with my 996 coolant, if ticking over for over 20 minutes, it starts bubbling and spitting coolant from the same place After talking with John Hackett at Ducati Coventry (JHP Racing), he advised to clean out the overflow pipe on the filler neck with a 4mm drill bit, as it is prone to blocking with corrosion, did it on mine, at the same time, I replaced the thermostat, it appears to have solved the issue
Those plastic expansion tanks are also prone to leaking at the seam. Known problem. I replaced mine with an aftermarket stainless steel one many years ago. Not sure if they are still available but a quick google I found this. Mine was slightly different but purchased from the same retailer. https://motowheels.com/i-14138876-c...m-coolant-tank-v2-ducati-748-916-996-998.html
I've got one of those on my bike. But by the time I'd imported it from the US, paid customs duties and VAT (and also paid someone to fit it for me, I don't mind admitting!), it turned out to be a very dear old do. But the OE plastic jobbies fail for a pastime, and after the last one failed after not so many miles, I decided I'd solve the problem once and for all.
