996R question - plaques !
 

OK - I probably think I should know this, but I don't.

In my search for a 996R , I have happened across one that doesn't have the authenticity plaque on the top yoke.

I'm assured that this is as original and all other parts/numbers/references check out to be a genuine 996R, but my questions are;

- did they make 996Rs without the plaque?
- did they only make 350 for the road and 150 for the track?
- were the road ones plaqued and the track ones not?
- did they make a second run of bikes that were unplaqued (ie more than 500)?

Anyone from DUK know or Ray - you know about this kinda stuff?

Ta
Tim:frog:

Scottch knows.

He had one of the 150 that were held back for racing - no plaque but it was a genuine 996R.

Tim,

I used to own an "un-plaqued" 996R from new, and as a result have done a fair bit of research into why and why not this happened.

Originally, the 996R was a homologation special. In order to compete in WSB, Ducati had to build and sell 150 of these machines that also had to be inspected by the FIM prior to being allowed to enter the series (you may recall the FP-1 missing out on its first year racing because they weren't produced in time for inspection).

In order to make this process financially viable (nevermind that it also helped generate some $$$'s) the factory planned to produce 500 bikes in total. 350 to be sold entirely over the internet, 150 to be reserved for race teams.

The two production runs were ever so slightly different, the bikes reserved for race teams differed in cylinder head design. IIRC there is a different microfiche detailing these changes that is available to dealers.

The day the road bikes were released for sale via ducati.com, the entire 350 road bike allocation was spoken for.

The take up on the 150 race team reserved bikes was, however, a little slower. Teams were less keen to part with so much money for a new engine in a product that was still able to win in WSB.

Seeing the race reserved bikes stacked up in Bologna, someone took the decision to offer a limited amount of these for sale to the various importers.

There was not a second run of bikes - the sandcast process used for the engine cases of the 996R was never intended to produce anymore than the planned 500.

This concludes todays lesson fella! :D

Any other q's give us a buzz mate.

Cheers!

Scott - nice one.

So my next question - what was the difference in the head design, why and what is the outcome?

Tim

Tim,

Head design differences I believe were to improve cooling and oilways.

HTH fella! ;)

Cheers!

Scottch, is this an improvement then.

Very exclusive, just up ya street Lord Rattler! :P

Scott ...
 

... you're the Scottish 996R Shazzam :roll:

That's a fantastic compliment Henry, but I'm sorry - I don't fancy you at all :burn:

Enjoy your bike mate - it's the most beautiful thing that's ever come out of the factory.

Cheers!

Tim

the one i bought was registered in Sept 2001 and came without a plaque, but i have a nice letter from Bologna saying further to your purchase and request here is your plaque, so i wouldn't worry to much about the lack of one if everything else stacks up.

Shaun of the north, was this letter since you bought the bike? Just curious, I'm like TP, 1 Duke I've always wanted, but I can't at the moment justify the cost, but 1 day I will have 1.