Taken from prior postings. The frame colour eventually changed from Gold to Silver along with the wheels. 748 Variations Variations Ducati produced several variations of the 748, starting with the basic 748 Biposto (meaning "twin seat") in 1994 and then the 1995-96 748SP and 1996-99 748SPS followed as more powerful options. The SP and SPS engines were in a higher state of tune and also came only as Monoposto (meaning "single seat"), although it was possible to order the base 748 with a monoposto option, and were intended as homologation machines for World Supersport racing. Other extras over the base model included Ohlins rear shock and fully-floating cast iron Brembo brake disks. The engines also came with an oil cooler. In 2000, Ducati revamped their 748 model line to include a third variation: The base model was now known as the 748E, available as Biposto or Monoposto, with 3-spoke gold wheels and gold frame. Gone were the quick-release Dzus fasteners on the fairing, replaced with plain fairing fasteners, and the frame also had a fixed steering head angle. The rear shock was a Sachs-Boge unit with Showa forks at the front. This helped to keep costs down. The intermediate model was known as the 748S. This had lighter 5-spoke Marchesini wheels in grey to match the grey frame, also retaining the earlier adjustable steering head. The rear shock was now a Showa unit with Showa forks at the front, making use of Titanium-Nitride (TiN) coating on the fork stanchions to "reduce stiction", which also gave it a gold coloring. The engine was a derivative of the earlier SPS, making use of the higher state of tune, and also included an intermediate exhaust system of 50mm headers connected to 45mm exhaust cans. The top of the range model was now the 748R, Ducati's racing homogolation model produced only in very limited numbers. This engine was again a derivitve of the SPS model but with more tuning. The main difference is that the R model has an overhead shower-injector arrangement compared to the 748E and S model's traditional throttle bodies. As such, the 748R has a larger, two-part airbox and thus the frame was also different to accomodate this. The suspension choice was Ohlins for both the rear shock and front forks, although the very first models in 2000 used Showa TiN front forks. The engine included a very basic slipper clutch to ensure that this would then be homogolated for use in racing and also an oil cooler. Ducati also produced a very limited run of 748RS machines, which were intended as full racing machines and as such came with no road-going equipment. The engine internals and components were vastly different from any road-based Ducati, using a variety of light-weight, high-strength materials making them extremely expensive to purchase, run and maintain. The RS came with a 54mm exhaust system and a slightly smaller size and gauge of Chromoly tubing was used on the frame to reduce weight even further.
I beg to differ, you should not believe everything you read in Wikipedia. The 748S from 2000 had the same engine as the E which was the final iteration of the basic 748 engine and not derived from the SP or SPS (the 748R engine was derived from the 996), the other differences are already noted in the thread and are pretty minor which was reflected in the extra £500 the S cost over the 'Economico' from new (The R was a lot more). For much more detail it is best to refer to Ian Falloon's books such as the "Standard Catalogue" and "Desmoquatro Superbikes" which give a lot of info on the evolution of the 748/916/996 range.
I thiught they all had 45mm headers with a link pipe to 50mm cans if you bought aftermarket. Mine did
I was wondering where my 50mm headers had gone Denzil. I must say though I didn't know about the Dzus fasteners so your get some good reading is a point taken. Is there any ref to why they use the stepped/lowered head design in either book?
Bradders, they did and there were two variations on the 45mm systems from 2000 onwards, the earlier ones were standard termi with two piece headers, the later models built from early 2001 had single piece headers that went straight from the collector to the manifold studs. They were made by a company called Zeuna. The later ones were prone to cracking at the cylinder head but were not interchangeable with the Termi systems. Different part numbers which only made it into the 2003 issue parts book. I have a spare 45-50-45mm collector from my original system after the headers cracked, second hand Zeuna systems are like rocking horse sh1t
Ian, Mr Fallon does not mention anything about the stepped head design in either book, it lists the details on the R heads which have bigger valves and much higher lift cams. These are the only engines I have noticed as having obviously different heads (and different belts) but I have not seen that many. In his "Desmoquattro Performance Handbook" it does refer to the heads being changed for the 916/996 SP/SPS (losing the cast Desmo 4V DOHC lettering) and moving the exhaust camshaft 10mm for the ST4, both changes for wheel clearance issues.
Thanks for the info Denzil I appreciate it. When getting all the gaskets together for servicing both suppliers I use always ask what head type I have even when they have the build year. I have always assumed maybe a transition year or perhaps supply issues meant they used what was available??
This wasn't from Wikipedia but taken from a now defunct Ducati site. I'd agree that Wikipedia is not always accurate.
IME from what I recall when I was into 748s, the quickest and easiest way to tell if a 748 is an E or a BP to to check the headstock. If it has the two head angle adjuster bolts (from memory, torx/star-head) sticking out of the side of the headstock then it's a BP. Also, the steering damper will have two mounting holes on the rod end side if it's a BP. If neither of the above are present, then it's an E.
Zhed, you are confusing the model spec with the seat arrangement. As Bradders already mentioned the MY02 street range was either E, S or R. Both E and S models were available as Monoposto(MP or mono) or Biposto (BP or bip). The Es, as you correctly state are easily identifiable by not having the adjustable headstock and steering damper adjustment.
Ah, OK. I thought Es only came as twin seaters. I've seen them as monos but assumed they were retro converted. As there are so many mongrel 748s around (I've been responsible for at least 4, lol) I probably should have been more specific and said "if it's an E and not any other model variant"
