Ok, so I may be going to have a look at a 1998 748 in the wrong colour (red) with 38k on the clock fairly soon. Checking the MoT history it didn't move between 2013 and 2020 but it has done a few miles since. It has stock can, a few nice mods and a couple of bad ones but I'm a tinkerer and can't leave them alone and reasonable with the spanners so that's not a real problem. Do they have any thing that I need to worry about, other than being a bike from the last century astonished and everything that goes with older Ducatis (or character as some people say) I've only had non-red 2V Monsters before (3 of them) and this would be a first foray into red Ducati ownership, although I did ride a red one around Cadwell on a Ducati Experience some considerable time ago. I just hope my wrists and back can take it..!
Any evidence of belts in that time? With that period of time without running I’d say even starting and revving it is fairly risky, so budget for a full service, likely to see evidence of split seals and gaskets also but nothing hugely tricky to sort. a 98 might have the older 2 wire stator, which is more fragile than the newer 3 wire ones. Otherwise I think it’s all standard ish stuff to check on a used bike
The three main areas that came to mind are above but by far the most concerning are the condition of the rockers and also camshafts and valve collets to a lesser degree at the same time. All 3 are covered in detail on this Forum in several threads over the years. If seller can show the swingarm pivot, the fuel tank pump/filter/internal hoses etc etc have been replaced/serviced recently then all an advantage. As the years have rolled on, i'd add that the condition and originality of the side fairings and nosecone and the condition of the headlamp are certainly a factor now in the overall asking price due to their rarity and difficulty in obtaining in acceptable condition s/hand.
Main three covered as Chris said. In my experience headlights normally clean up (internally) well but good bargaining chip. Sprag clutch common fail.
Looks like everything is covered in the above comments, as for the back & wrists i'm in my fifties and did 120 miles without stopping the other day apart from a few minutes in the fuel station, the secret with these bikes's you need to up the speed all the time for the enjoyment, sitting in traffic for long periods and it will feel like you just been beaten up by a group of Millwall football fans.
As a follow up, I've seen it now (described as good condition with a bit of corrosion on the forks and side stand plus a full service history) but it's a wreck. Absolutely everything was seriously rusty / corroded - the fork outers looked like they had almost rotted through, the frame was more rust than paint and the whole engine was furry. Best not mention the state of the rear shock, C&S levers, swing arm, tyres etc etc either It turns out that it hasn't moved for over 10 years either so not really sure how it managed to have a FSH. So having neither the time nor space for a complete strip down and refurb at the moment or be willing to pay anywhere near what he wants for it, the hunt goes on.
No offence but as always the biggest risk to a bike is holding on to the throttle and sitting behind the tank and on the seat!!!!
