[Sinner-]

I'm about to see an 2002 748 in a couple of days.
I read some things these days about it, but i still want your opinion.

What to look after, how to check some speciffic 748 possible issues.

I'll take this bike for only 4 track use.

Thank you.

p.s. sorry 4 the bad spelling

 

[brettc63]

Here is a good consise start for you. Being a 2002 model most of these issues may have already been addressed by Ducati except for the cush drive rubbers.
http://www.ducati-john.co.uk/ducati-points.htm

 

[Scott A. Maciag]

Off-sounding engine (provided you have a good-knowlege of what Ducatis sound like). Smell the exhaust fumes - you WILL be able to smell oil, etc. Look for leaks around the crankcase covers. (Leaking for the crankcase breather is normal. Those things get loose very easily and people often forget to ensure there is a washer there. Forks seals busted - the fork tubes would look significantly discolored and there would be noticeable leaks. Sit on the bike and bounce the front end a few times, squat on the rear, try to perceive if anything feels odd. Remove the fairing to look for leaks from tank or head covers... Check radiator to see if it's bashed in.. Make sure throttle response is good and at speed, turn from side to side rapidly to check steering play (bearings can be crushed if over tightened). Make sure chain looks like it was cared for... Try brakes and clutch to ensure those systems are working well. Other than that try to feel for wobbles and look for any miscellaneous damage. That should give you enough of an idea...

 

[Duckie]

Sinner, everything Scotty said is 100% correct. If I may add from previous experience. Ask the seller, if you can have a local dealer inspect the bike at your cost. Watch his reactions. If he shows signs of hesitation. If he says yes, but always have excuses, too busy. Usually, there is something wrong with the bike that he does not want you to know. Good luck.

 

[Sinner-]

back..
so.. thank you 4 your time.
After a 600 km road i found a long time not used 748.
Fortunately i had a good friend of mine, (Ducati 996 owner) a good mechanic, coming with me to this buy.

Battery gone. rusty chain, deflated tires, and a leaking water tank.
The engine sounded very good instead. Very healthy and "rev willing" despite the fact that both of the spark plugs were different models than Ducati writes in manual.. -> stupid as*es
The fork was also.. almost empty of oil..

The essential parts were inspected and we made a conclusion that the bike worths the buy. 2300 USD was a great great buy.

Right now i only have to change the oil + oil filter, air filters, brakin' pads, cam belts, fork oil, chain kit, the water tank, spark plugs and it's ready to race.
Later, depends on the money, termignoni and rear sets.

But the story doesn't ends here, because i haven't got any platform, i took off all the parts of the bike, to fit Her in the back of an Skoda Octavia Station wagon. It was fun.
I realised how simple, easy and.. race made is this bike. It only took one hour to do this comparative to my 600 RR (my other bike) which would have taken at least 2 hours.

So this was it and more to come next time.

p.s. Sorry 4 my bad english

 

[Duckie]

Congrats. I guess, it doesn't take much to please you. I thought you wanted more. I was wrong. It's a good project. Good luck.

 

[Sinner-]

The problem is that the nearest Ducati dealer was 300 km away so there wasn't much to do.
But anyway, indeed i wanted more, the fact that i bought a Ducati for track means i wanted more.