Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Hiya folks, + rear brake query

[moto748]

Thought I'd better post up a thread and say hello.

Pleased to see weeksy is so well-behaved onhere, BTW; you obviously got him well trained!

I'm very pleased with my 748, had it two and a bit years now and done just over 30000 miles.

One thing bugs me though (well, more than one really, but one'll do for now); why are 748 rear brakes so crap? I don't mean the fact that the brake is small diameter, and hence effectively de-rated, presumably to reduce the risk of clumsy riders locking the rear wheel, after all, bikes like the R1 and Blade have small rear discs too. I mean the fact that the hydraulics don't seem to work for any decent period after bleeding. In next to no time, the pedal travel has increased so much that it's hitting the bottom of the fairing. Re-bleeding, even when done by experts, and even new master cylinders (I had a new one under warranty) seem to offer only temporary relief. It's been suggested to me that the fluid overheats, but before the 748 I had a 750SS, and the rear brake was fine on that, and didn't suffer from the same problem.

Some people have said to me, well, I don't use the back brake anyway. But that's not really the point, is it?


moto's Tip of The Day: the top from a plastic bottle of kitchen cleaning solution (I used Cif Oxy Gel ) fits perfectly over your ignition switch. Keep it in your jacket pocket, and cover the switch when parking outdoors in rain, to keep water out of your switch and prolong its life. Actually looks quite neat!

[marksduc748]

yes I have agree with you on the back brake, theres nothing worse than going into a corner a little too quick and the brake pedal doesnt do a single thing. since that happened I stuck a good set of pads in and it has stopped some of the brake fade but I dont think it would stop all. might be better pushing a stick in the wheel to stop.

[skidlids]

Know what you mean about the brake, mine was fine for the first 15 months of ownership, then lost all its pressure, after a quick bleeding session all was fine again for a while, but regular bleeding is now required. I have just got hold of another rear mastercylinder to try and see if it cures the problem as I tend to use the back brake more than some.

[748jim]

I have a 2001 748S with the same problem. It has no bite whatsoever. I havent done anything about it so any ideas would be appreciated. At first I thought it was the pads that may be glazed from under use?? I rarely use the rear brake but have started to increase the use after reading about scrubbing speed off mid-bend and pulling the bike in to a tighter line by using the rear. I rode a friends R6 the other week and the rear brake had great bite and didnt fade at all.

[Old Yella]

Tried all sorts on my 996 but it all came to nothing after a few weeks of use.
Tried the raising of the cliper above the m/c so air would travel to the top, bleed nipple at the highest point on the caliper, trying to protect the m/c from heat using exhaust type washers on the mountings, new pads were a laugh, I just learned to live with it.
Now I have the 998 I have not had a ride on it yet but the brake pedal is excellent, will have to see what a few good miles do to it?