Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > 853 Conversion: Opinions / advice please

[PB]

I am sorely tempted by the Sigma Performance 853 conversion (with 'Full Monty' service).......

Have any of you had this done to your 748, and if so what are your thoughts?

Or, please let me know your opinion if you have had a 853 conversion done (DIY or by others..)

Was it worth it?
Does it make a tremendous difference?
Should I be looking instead to buy a 996/8 (different engine characteristics...), bearing in mind that I adore the more 'revvy' nature of my 748, and I'm not going to get much for her (27k and fibreglass fairings only)?

Any words of advice/wisdom most appreciated........

Thank you

[Harv748]

The '853' massive will be along in a mo I'm sure.

Several have had it done...DC, Nelly and Deej spring to mind.

Before I sold my 748 (to Deej actually!) I was seriously condidering it myself.

I've only ever heard good things about it, and Sigma are one of the best, especially if done in conjunction with the full monty set-up.

I think you'll love it

[keefer]

send DC a U2U he had the conversion done at sigma. I spoke to him a fair bit when I was thinking of doing it myself.
I decided to go and get a 996 lump in the end, as it was the same money as doing the conversion.
funnily enough DC is now working on a 996 lump for his own bike.
Wilf who works at Moto Rapido is also worth contacting, he has gone just about as far as you could go with a 853. but at the end of the day you can always go further with a 996.
I was worried abbot loosing the top end rev as you mentioned but to be honest I haven't given it a second thought since it has all been done.
so in short nice engines as many have said in mags and so on. (the best engine ducati never made) but IMO not worth the cost if you can get a 996 lump

[Edited on 12-11-2005 by keefer]

[PB]

Thanks Harv,

The performance graphs on the Sigma site are very seductive!

http://www.sigmaperformance.com/748-853.html

[PB]

Cheers Keefer,

I'll try to contact DC & Wilf.

[Jasper]

I had an 853 Ferracci kit fitted to my 748/853 and loved it.It is a lot more involving than the bigger bikes to ride and the power band is addictive.Be warned though,you will never get your money back,so if you have any doubts,put the money towards a 996.

[bradders]

my advice...get a 996 for reasons above, like others I looked at this route but ultimately for the same 2.5k spend I could upgrade from a 748e to a sps

Jasper, you love posting that pic don't you .. git .. still get tingles when i see it .. awesome bit of kit that was ...

PB, you are right, your 748 with fibreglass fairings and 27k on the clock is worth very little, not enough to top up with 2k and get a decent 996.

If I were you I'd do the conversion, call Nelly at Cornerspeed (he runs an 853 of his own) and Neil at Sigma, I imagine this time of year is quite quiet in the workshops and one of them may well do you a deal, I'd happily let either of them spanner my bike, and have in the past used both.

You then have a completely refreshed lump in a chassis you know the history of and a bike that you have built a rapport with.

Just my opinion ... but I reckon you won't regret it ....

[Chef]

I've got a 748sps & was thinking about the 853 route & was advised by John Hackett not to bother

996/8's are quite cheap now 853's are expensive to insure & harder to sell on

I bought a 998s this year & kept the 748 as a road bike as I has some extra cash

I have had the 748 since 2000 so it doesn't owe me anything!!

[butch890]

I would echo all of the above,you will not recoup your money and actually make your bike harder to sell.
BUT if you love the revvy nature of the 748 and are not bothered about the above go for it!
As is well known i would never let the 890 leave the confines of the Butcherclan-best bike Ducati never made!
Butch