Being a 2002 like mine, you shouldn't have any problems with flaking rockers. If you pick it up remember this bike has the different heads and needs the shorter S4/ST4 timing belts. The frame and wheels are correct in the bright silver for the MY.
2002 model with the later slabside fairings were also available in yellow but even fewer than those in red. They still suffer from flaking rockers, I had 3 replaced at 9k miles a year after warranty had expired and have since replaced another 4 myself since I started doing my own servicing. Currently at just over 25K now and due to check clearances and rockers again soon, hoping for a good result but expecting to find some worn ones again. Still a really fun bike though, it was my first Ducati and I bought it new nearly 18 years ago and it will almost certainly be the last one I sell when I finally give up riding.
Hugh my MY02 S built summer 01 needed just 2 replacing after 40k road miles. For the OP the flaky rocker issue mostly affected bikes built concurrently with 996 production in 99/00 and was claimed to be due to QA issues at the company that manufactured the rockers. It was 'resolved' according to Ducati with a different supplier for late MY01 and 'all' MY02 bikes. However all 916/748/996 are subject to some wear, and it seems to be pretty random as whether its oil, warm up, overly tight clearances, track use or just bad luck for the bikes that were not fitted with the dodgy batch of rockers used in MY99 to MY01 bikes. If the service record by a known Ducati specialist is good and mileage low, I would not worry about them. The bike in the picture looks pretty clean and unmolested to me apart from the ugly screen (not sure why it states its a Mono) and for most bikes that have had issues with rockers at low miles they would have had them replaced by now.
I don't worry about the rockers and nor should anyone else, certainly wouldn't let one persons (me?) experience put the OP off buying the bike, far from it. Even the base model 748 is a great bike to own and ride - it's the one bike which I always go back to and cannot believe just how much fun it is even after riding much more powerful models such as 998s and 1098. My view would be go for it and if there are a few issues then it's worth sorting them and reaping the rewards.
It might be luck of the draw. My '02 748 has 71,000 km on original rockers and they look perfect still.
Hi, bit of a late reply but was just wondering regarding the quantity of how many was made. I have one of these and was curious to how you found this out? Was just thinking it’s quite nice to know it’s pretty limited although being base model specs. Cheers .
Hi Danny, the production numbers for Model, Model Year, Year Built, Colour, Country Specification and model variants as well as information on design detail changes can be found in Ian Falloon's "Standard Catalogue of Ducati Motorcycles 1946-2005". Standard Catalog of Ducati Motorcycles, 1946-2005: Amazon.co.uk: Ian Falloon: 0046081007149: Books
Might be helpful? https://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/ducati_748_e 16 in the UK right now, it would seem.
If it was me I would like a service history with at least a desmo check, rockers can be £140 each and there's 16. Belts every 2 years, a desmo check by your mechanic then he will know the bike and if chrome is in the oil it's a tell tale sign a rocker has gone. I did only 3k in 5 years of ownership with my 996 and didn't do the oil every year. If you have a good local Ducati service department they can be a big help. Neil at Cornerspeed is also spot on for advice.
Thanks for all the replies - long story short; I didn't buy the one which started this thread but did view one (W reg / 2000 748S, 3800 miles) which required rescuing. Heart won over brain, and I bought it knowing it needed some work..... that was back in May 2023! Then life went downhill hence the lack of posts/replies. Nov 2023, 2 bikes (not the 748) and 1 car were damaged and garage door destroyed curtesy of my neighbour antics. It took 13 months and five insurance claims to sort the accident. In March 2024, illness set in resulting in 3 months off work and 6 days in hospital. I'm not out the woods yet but fingers crossed, I'm hoping 2025 will be somewhat better? Back to the 748 - it's not the best looking and by all accounts it's not original. But working on it has helped retain some sanity and there still plenty to do. I do have 3 of Ian Fallon's excellent Ducati books one of which provides all the data as mentioned above except the volume of each model built! Anyway, below is a pic of the rescued bike which has been serviced and given a clean bill of health (thank you Nelly). Happy to have non-original parts pointed out; I know about the tanks decals and the wheels/engine paint is scabby! RR
All the best with your health, it was interesting to read past posts regarding original bike as I have one. Didn’t know the numbers of them was that low. I’ve been working on my friends yellow 1999 748 sps for a while now and it’s finished… I just love them!
RR - so sorry to read about your unbelievably shitty time and very much hope that you're finally climbing out of the primordial soup. Your bike [courtesy of the one image] looks extremely promising. Departures from 'standard' are the black touring screen and the painted Fogarty rep mirrors...... but you knew that already! Unsure about the brake discs [others will clarify] but they don't seem very year 2000 to me - Ducati used the Brembo multi-holed bell from 1994 for many, many years.
They look the same as the discs on my 2000 748, although ISTR to recall I have changed them, they certainly wouldn't be the originals.
Thank you big_duc; Re health I should know a little more next month.... can't wait! Seems like I've been drip fed info but I feel okay and the longer I go without symptoms re occuring the better I guess. But going from near perfect health to struggling to breath was somewhat disturbing. But back to bikes... funnily enough I wasn't aware the mirrors were incorrect or the disks. I like my bikes standard, but had to rescue this one - why, no idea! So should the mirrors be black? I know the tank decals should be silver. Hopefully I'll get more time to bike it this year once its a tad warmer. Its only done 3,800 miles, just had it serviced by Nelly who gave it the 'all clear' thankfully. Even with the low mileage it'd been stood outside under a tarpulin for 2 years so it was a bit of a gamble! I'll post more photos at somepoint; the engine paint is really bad and the wheels need refurbishing. I've replaced many of the fastenings with genuine ones (££££'s!) since they looked really rough. Still lots to do though and please feel free to highlight other non-standard bits. Cheers RR
