The original carbon on the bike looks very poorly finished, if indeed they are the carbon parts the bike left the factory with. The original carbon on my 998r doesn't have any pin holes in at all. The only parts that do are the genuine Ducati performance air tubes, but that's how they were supplied. On my bike many of the original carbon parts have a bar code label on with the Ducati part number on, these labels have appear to have been attached when the parts were made and the resin appears to have soaked into them. They don't appear to be stuck on after the part was fully cured. The restoration of the carbon does look fantastic though. You have done well to find a 998r across the pond, must be a pretty rare beast. I've had the odd bit of light damage on the odd bit carbon bodywork due to bird strikes, usually bought OEM replacement parts then thought no, I'll save then as the bike used to get ridden a lot and was no garage queen. Some bodywork does wear simply through use, grit has worn/blasted the radiator v piece, the leading edges of the belly pan and the lower bits of the fairing on the leading edge that overlaps the belly pan at it's leading edge. (No matter, Sunday best bodywork is in the loft, some of it brand new and still boxed) Good to know some bodywork is might still be available from the dealers, having said that I vaguely recall that I could get a new front carbon fender/mudguard when I needed one years ago. I've owned mine for nearly 20 years now, its been back to its home town twice. It's also lapped the Misano circuit, steadily, as it had to carry me back to the UK. The only bike I've every owned long enough to see depreciation switch into appreciation. Still can't believe it's nearly 20 years since I collected it from the previous and only other owner. Some great memories. It was parked up in home garage or years, just no time to ride it or remove all the junk that surrounded it. Then one day I thought I'd fire it up and the alarm started to "make smoke" so that meant it was immobile until I sorted that out a few years later. I got it fully recommissioned about 18 months ago now and do use it from time to time. It needed very little over and above normal service parts to get it back up and running on the road. Probably attracts more car park attention now than in it's younger days. Some get confused as to it's age, in was first registered in 2002, due partly to a 1979 year registration/number plate on it. Enjoys yours, they are pieces of mechanical art as much as something that can be a joy to own and ride.
Thanks for all the info! The belly pan didn't really have any pinholes but some of the aftermarket Ducati performance stuff did. Really happy with how it turned out though. It's truly a dream that I am able to own one yet alone find one for sale here in the states. They are just so rare here. I have it at the dyno tuner right now to get everything running right after moving back to the Termi system
I ran my bike on a dyno many, many years ago. It was pretty much stock apart from the inlet gold mesh being removed, pipercross in tube air filters, cams dialled and carbon termis/open pipe ECU that came with the bike. It made 134 at the back wheel and 85 lb ft of torque, so a little less power maybe than Ducati claim, but more torque than they claim.
Well, it took forever but the bike is now tuned! It put down 141whp which I am very happy with. It was at 134whp before the tune which was still pretty good but an incorrect tune from the previous owner. I’m sure I could get a little more with some more changes but I want to keep it stock with some minor internal upgrades.
Truly stunning restoration. I never understand why anybody would make those sort of changes to one of the best looking bikes ever made.
Hi mate, Looking good, there’s just a dip between 8,5 - 9,5k rpm. This won’t be am issue with street riding, but couldn’t they straighten this out? I have tuned my 998s by Biggelaar in NL and it makes 141 rwhp. I think there’s more to gain but most of all a smoother curve.
They could but they wanted to do it via cam timing and I chose not to do it right now. This will just be used for street riding and I’m not super concerned with it right now. Maybe next year
Ah just cam timing. You should - next year, consider ecu tuning. It really smooth out the engine. It get so much better ride ability, specially in town and below 80kph, the bike deserves it! I’ve upload my test bench results after tuning the heads, timing and ECU (blue pre, red post tuning). Cheers and good luck! Remember these are rear wheel figures, and the bench of Biggelaar is very known also with some uk clients and is true
Big day today. Got custom replacement frame stickers and installed them. Took forever to find exact replicas. I think it’s finally complete now.
Were your bike Dyno Tuned or just ECU flash tune? If it is Dyno Tune, where did you Dyno Tune your bike?
The link below to a Ducati 998R OEM boxed plaque may be of interest, although it seems quite expensive: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12586732...9187rbDs+cPVzYxEa2zCv7hA==|tkp:Bk9SR-KO9drsYQ . Tom.
