I've read this thread (and Shazaam's linked thread) with great interest.
A week ago my battery (apparently) clapped out. Went to start it after work, and dead as a dodo, tacho needle spinning when the starter button pressed. I use the bike (2001 748) regularly, and have had no charging/electrical problems in the past. As a MY2001 bike, I had the gel-type battery fitted. I got it replaced with the conventional lead/acid YB16LA2.
All seemed well until I went out for a spin this sunny Bank Holiday afternoon, and sure enough the same thiung happened when I stoppped for petrol. When the breakdown guy eventually arrived he got it going no problem with his booster pack, but said the charging system was faulty (I'd managed to figure this out myself
) . So I said "regulator/rectifier?" and he reckoned more likely alternator (but hopefully it's just the wiring as mentioned above).
He also made some comment about swapping the gel-type battery for a conventional one, and wondered if the charging system was compatible with either. Do anyone know if the change from lead/acid to gel-type batteries was accompanied by any change in the rect/reg, or other electrical components? Also I have to say that the guy who sorted me with the battery is an experienced Ducati mechanic, and I'd be surprised if he wasn't fully genned up on this.
Anyway, I'll give him a bell on Tuesday and see what he says.