Guys. I’m rebuilding my 748 Biposto and need radiator hoses. I was fancying silicone but the Samco ones are around £200, not attractive. There is a company called A3 that do a hose kit for the 998 for £75. Looks the same to me from the pics. Does anyone know if this will fit or made to fit? Many thanks. Hursty
I’ve used them for the hoses on my 998S. No problems with them but be aware that some of them need trimming down for a perfect fit. If you’re ok using an Olfa blade or similar, you’ll be fine. I really doubt there’s much difference between these and the Samcos.
Cheers bud. I don’t mind cutting but I was wondering if the 998 hoses fit the 748?? Don't buy 998 hoses for a 748. They're not the same.
I'd agree that 998 hoses are different and I am pretty certain you will have fitment problems. I would keep searching, I got a cheap set for my 748SPS and they were fine, never had a problem. Make sure you use the correct antifreeze as OAT (Red) antifreeze is said to attack silicone hoses.
It was a long time ago (2009) and I got them from eBay, they are very good though and were only something like £60 at the time which was very cheap even then. I think Samco is now the only manufacturer that I have come across that makes hoses for the 748.
Ebay has still has generic silicone hose kits for the 998. As well as kits for the 9X6 series. https://www.ebay.ca/itm/295780395616?fits=Model:998|Makeucati&hash=item44dde2aa60:g:iHAAAOSwr5Bkl59g&amdata=enc:AQAIAAAA4NBNGYkiq98xBaA3A4ejMk0jGlfZi+uoIkWbxRrZi5XggGt+1vgUDziYkQxlJkXmnMbMsMEykmiGj60+AHVsK24s/mOMkSLpC6zwC6lkkcDyBOaEQoH0wz6oMX6eZxehgZ9gM22U954G1tl3MgicxyX3Xv00sC+QNStzQlfXhg65c3OU5RLviLcg/9NncRgOi6sP1G0SvFWydVIVI7QDLQ1VWslg5Y1DnHeoiDfQJ6D1LJrLVAbvjl67ON9Dd+RunmGhZVJNMJqA2yi4j9nJs2Qlvf9KVz+xQdFoZF4qpSFt|tkp:BFBMurG6l9pi
He means AS3 .. Link here .... https://www.as3performance.com/collections/silicone-radiator-hoses-ducati
I am actually somewhat split myself, as to whether switching from rubber to silicon hoses is the right way forward. In all fairness, I cannot justify the asking price for the silicone Samco ones (which may have substantial R&D put into them but are hoses at the end of the day) or the Ducati OEM rubber ones (which are surprisingly pricier than the Samco silicon set). Hands down, silicon is a much more resilient material than rubber, with the ability to perform equally much better in a wider range of temperatures on performance vehicles. However silicon hoses are porous (which I trust explains why their industrial use has been limited thus far to radiator hoses and has not moved on to gas and oil hoses). This means that they have a much higher permeation rate than rubber which, in lay terms, means that coolant from the cooling system will be lost as coolant molecules can escape slowly through the walls of the silicone hose (which in itself calls for a more frequent monitoring/checks of fluid levels). This also explains why coolant smell is much more present on Ducati's running silicon radiator hoses (whilst the factory rubber ones keep the system odourless at all times).
AS3 worked for me, did need a bit of trimming for a good fit. I trimmed by putting a jubilee clip on the hose where I needed to cut it and using it as a hard guide. Perfect cut.
You would expect that this ought to be noted on their package somehow to raise awareness and assist in an informed pre-purchase decision, particularly as many bikes are stored indoors.
Those look perfect and exactly you what I’m after….did AS3 build the kit specifically for the 748 for you or is that a kit for a different Ducati that you’ve adapted/cut to fit??
