Description
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
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.
One available color for the 748 was “I can’t believe it’s not butter” yellow (1997 was the final year for this striking yellow/white livery) with the single-seater’s white pseudo-number plate tail section. The wheels, like the frame, are a bronze/gold color. Not only do they look great in combination with the yellow paint, but also more importantly, they hide brake dust and road grime. The weight of Ducati’s 748 is just over 400 pounds, but it feels much lighter. Sporting hollow 3-spoke light alloy wheels, Showa suspension components and Brembos all around, the 748 was a striking and capable 750-class sportbike.
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.
This example is VIN: ZDM748S007683. The seller purchased this example from Louigi Moto one year ago.
[PLACEHOLDER PHOTO]
The odometer shows 6,239 miles. During their ownership, the seller has put 400 miles on this example.
Maintenance:
Per the seller: “The engine is an SPS engine that has been balanced, blue printed and over-bored to 853cc. It is the best of the 748 without the tractor like qualities of the 916. I have recently had the bike on the Dyno at PDQ for a power run, as per the pic, it made 103HP at the rear wheel, with more to come with the addition of a Power Commander if you wanted to.”
Modifications:
SPS-spec Ohlins shock.
Termignoni exhaust.
Marchesini 5-spoke wheels painted in gloss black.
Carbon fiber bits throughout.
The seller notes that this motorcycle is an SP frame with a 748SPS engine. The SPS frame was cracked, and needed to be replaced.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Avon AV82 tires with date codes of 2717 and 1319.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Shepperton, Surrey, this Ducati is offered on a clean United Kingdom title. Have any 748 SP stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
