853 Conversion: Opinions / advice please
 

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:bouncy::bouncy:

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]

Thanks Harv,

The performance graphs on the Sigma site are very seductive!

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

Cheers Keefer,

I'll try to contact DC & Wilf.

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.

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 ....

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!!

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

I converted my 748 SPS to an 853 - well I actually bought a brand new 853 engine - and did another 10,000 miles b4 the big-end bearing failed!!!

The bike was however, awesome, well able to keep up with a 996 in a straight line - no worries.

The grunt was amazing - from 3,000 rpm all the way to the redline - no hesitation - no spluttering just smooth power all the way.

I now have a 999s (05) which is also awesome.

Go for the conversion - you will love it.

Khushy

[quote]Originally posted by 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 [/quote


There are pros and cons for this mate,...............;)

You have U2U.......................:cool:

DC.

have you seen this ?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DUCATI-853-ENG...cmd ZViewItem

That's a bloody good deal!

DO IT DO IT DO IT DO IT

Thats all i need to say,mine only cost just under a grand to do,i got the kit for £500 and cjs performance did the rest. the only thing i need now is a power commander to refine the fuelling. the engine is amazing and is now what i expected a ducati to be. if you like the look of your bike and have lots of extra's fitted spalsh the cash on what you have. if you want any advice ring me during the week on 07782191555

ive now fitted her with a bucci slipper clutch and its a lovely bike to ride,im hoping to do a trackday at brands next month where you can come and have a look if you want buddy.


japser that is 1 sexy looking bike,why did you sell it and what shade of black is it

deej,that "shade of black" is actually ALL carbon bloody fibre!!Does it look like paint?Bloody hell,what a waste of £3000!!(especially the tank!);)
I sold it because i had an 888 SP4 before it and was waiting for the right SP5 to come along.It took 8 years and in that time that's what i did to it.853/mag wheels/stm slipper/radial cylinders/light flywheel/50mm exhaust/carbo everything/technosel seat/reasets/quickshifter/digi dash...............the list went on!!I still miss it!It was awesome.:sniff:

But the SP5 is the one for me!!:sing:

i saw it to start with and thought wow,when i saw the shot a second time i realised it was carbon but didnt bother to change my thread thought it may get a response. the carbon effect does look good but out o my price league

853 done.
50mm termis done.
slipper clutch done.
flywheel removed done.
power commander needed.

mag wheels are next for me when i can afford them,then radial cylinders and rearsests and i like the idea of a digidash ( how much ??? ), that would be quite trick. a black n gold paintjob could be on the cards too

I built my own,incorporating a translogic quickshifter.I would without doubt go for one of the new Translogic dashboards.Careful though deej,i spent some £20k on my bike and only got £8k back!!

thats nothin
:devil:

how much, money well spent though by the look of it

read a previous thread about the translogic's and it sounds a bit of fun to get working right ??

Oh,yes.GREAT FUN!!Good job i was/am a sparky!!

great fun eh !!! Jasp looks like I'll be speaking to you soon !!!

Errrrrr...................................yeh,look ing forward to it!Do a search for Digi dash and Jasper,it should throw up some pics and info.

Thanks all for your help & advice: I have also heard back from Sigma.......

I must admit, I am sorely tempted: My current thinking is that I have no wish to sell my bike, and if I keep her for another few years the cost of the conversion is no worse than the depreciation she has suffered over the last few years. She will need servicing at some point over the winter, therefore the cost of the conversion itself is not as steep as it originally seems............ Yep, I think I've sold the idea to myself! Now need to find the time to bring her back to the UK, & liberate some funds..........:bouncy:

go on do it my freind you wont regret especially if you have no plans to sell it

853
 

I had mine done by sigma very happy with the result it makes a very good track bike and can keep with larger bikes.
But it's not an investment have it done and enjoy it.

Interesting - I seem to have posted as 851neil !!!!!!!!

Sorry Neil - I'll contact the web team to see if they can help.....

:o:o:o