Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Oh please oh please, need help/advice buying a 748…

[Pants]

Hello gents. I’m on the verge of buying a 2nd hand 748 but there are a few issues which I need advice on.

In light of the fact that am not a 748 expert (yet), I was wondering if a checklist exists (perhaps made by one of you good fellows) specially for the 748 (and family). Things to typically look out for, or what can typically go wrong etc. If not would anyone know where to point me to one?

I will probably have the bike checked out by a Ducati dealer but I still would like to know the in’s and out’s of these beautiful little creatures.

Any help would be thoroughly appreciated, so a big thanks in advance.

[hooley]

Pants - welcome (great name - were you an unwanted child?)

Try a search for a post from Shazaam (a wizened member of the DSC) on checklist before purchase - you may need to set aside some time to read it tho' very detailed

Jas

If i find it i'll post the link, but someone will be along shortly with the link.....

[hooley]

http://ducatisportingclub.com/xmb/vi...d.php?tid=9331


Try this....

[marksduc748]

ah ah! best put the kettle on first before you sit down to read shazaams reply but good advice given.

[Pants]

Thanks a bunch Hooley. Great info that I can sink my fangs into.

Some of the stuff though (eg flywheel retaining nut) are things that you really have to do a detailed sniff around to sus out. Are there things, tell tale signs, typical or otherwise that one can inspect to see if the bike has been treated like a princess at a pea party or flogged to death like a dog with two legs at the race track…

Again, sorry if this seems like a stupid + beginners question, but I've only really ever seen these things in pristine condition. Now that I'm actually about to buy one, I'd like to be able to quickly judge (via the secret, cloak-and-dagger, wink wink, techniques and that only Ducati owners know) if the bike has been worked hard or not. Filter the junk if ya know what I mean…

Oh, is 30,000km (18,500miles) a lot for a 1999 748. The dealer says it comes with a guarantee but is 30,000km a lot (too much?) and things tend to start to go wrong or can a well looked after 748 handle it.

Last question (promise): I was always of the impression that reliability of the 748/916/996 family improved marked after 1998, is this true or just a figment of my imagination? If so (ok additional question) would you steer clear of pre 1998 models?

I’m hungry so I’m going for a bite to eat.

PS: Thank you again for the juicy info, all the best, Daniel.

[bradders]

welcome aboard...

main thing is service history, either dealer or specialist. If its full and complete, amd looks well looked after, should be ok.

[m1keyp]

Hi pants and welcome

Lots of service history - an owner with a decent knowledge of the bike and an understanding that to keep one running costs money.

Post a picture when you get it.

And we are all coming to stay at your house for Monza

[ziggi]

18K is reasonable mileage but not as significant as service history and general condition. Of course you have to play this all off against the price. If the price is right then there's always a sale. Get the seller to show you all the docs, including the service book and receipts. When was the last service and when were the belts last changed. If the belts have not been changed in the last 2 years knock 500 off the asking price.

Know your models for the years. Is it a 748Bp, 748S, 748SPS etc etc and know what extras should be with each model, colours and trim.

[JPM]

Electrics have improved as the years have gone on, main thing is service history, mileage shouldn't be an issue as seems to be the case the more the bikes is used the less chance of certain problems as the motor is being run more often.

Alternator/flywheel nut etc cannot easily be checked although you can/should b able to hear a knocking noise, which I never did when mine went years ago, not over the clutch jangle, and termi's, saying that retorquing of this is done as part of the service schedule, so check to see if it has been listed on the service history.

[Mr_S]

Just one word

Rockers


If you're buying from a dealer, get them to pull the cams and inspect the rockers for wear. This should be taken into account when buying as they cost circa £100 each with the VAT.