Description
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
In 1994, the Ducati 916 was born as a fully faired sport bike, featuring a 916cc fuel injected, 4-valve, desmo, liquid-cooled, 90° V-twin engine wrapped in a trellis frame with a single-sided swing arm and USD forks. It is frequently cited as one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever. The 916’s water-cooled engine was a revision of that of its predecessor, the 888. The 916 was a smaller motorcycle than the 888, with a chrome-moly trellis frame which was shared with the Ducati 748 in 1995 and beyond.
To the joy of American riders in 1997, Ducati finally decided to import the 748. Considered a baby brother to the 916, Ducati’s 748 has been the darling of the European motorcycling press since its introduction. The Ducati 748 is identical in almost every way to the 916, both creations of Ducati in-house designer Massimo Tamburini, and both sharing some design elements with the Ducati Supermono. The only differences were rear tire size (180/55/17 as opposed to the 916’s 190/50/17) and engine capacity (88 mm bore and 61.5 mm stroke) of 748. The engine’s shorter piston stroke also gives a higher rev ceiling of 11,500 RPM, and the smaller pistons and lightened flywheel help the L-twin engine build revs quicker up to a peak horsepower output of 95.
Ducati had the Japanese manufacturers beat in a couple of design tricks with the 748. For instance, the positive terminal of the battery is easily accessible through the right body panel air vent, so you can hook up a trickle charger for storage season without removing any bodywork. And when you do remove the bodywork, it comes off with Dzus fasteners. Additionally, Ducati chose to make the vast majority of other fasteners one of three allen wrenches for fairly major servicing.
For 1998, Ducati came together with luxury retailer Neiman Marcus to release an exclusive 748 – the 748L Neiman Marcus edition. With only 100 total units being made, the 748L came with a ‘Mercury’ metallic paintjob, and a subtle hit of carbon fiber with the front fender and chain guard. The 748L was sold exclusively via the Neiman Marcus catalog.
This example is VIN: ZDM1SB3R2WB006968. The seller purchased this motorcycle from the second owner nine years ago.
This is #79 of 100.
The odometer shows 10,101 miles. The seller states they have put 4,100 miles on this example.
Maintenance:
The seller states the motorcycle was knocked over by a car in 2016. To restore the motorcycle, the seller had the work performed by Ducati Santa Barbara. The work includes the following:
Both side fairings repainted.
Tank repainted.
Front fairing repainted.
CRG levers installed.
Turn signals replaced.
Foot peg was replaced on left side.
Handlebar end guards replaced (removed set included).
Carbon clutch cover replaced.
Left handlebar indicator assembly replaced (original one included).
Mirrors replaced (1/2 original ones included).
The seller notes they performed the following themselves during their ownership of the motorcycle:
Oil and oil filter replacement.
Brake fluid change.
Clutch fluid change.
Chain replacement.
Chain greasing.
Installation of integrated turn signal into rear lights.
Modifications:
Carbon fiber vented clutch cover and carbon fiber heel guards.
CRG levers and aftermarket grips.
Rear fender eliminator kit with integrated rear turn signals and brake lights.
Arrow exhaust.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Pirelli Angel GT tires that have aged out.
The sale includes two keys and the original owner’s manual.
Extras:
This sale includes the various OEM parts that were removed.
Ducati-branded motorcycle cover.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Centennial, Colorado, this Ducati is offered on a clean Colorado title. Have any 748L stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
