Though it was originally introduced in 1994, the Ducati 748 didn’t come to the United States until 1997. That means we already knew what our European colleagues thought of it in advance – and the reviews were glowing. Bennetts Bike Social sums it up thusly: “for many people who were lucky enough to ride both [the 916 and the 748], the smaller 748 was the better bike to ride.”
It was almost identical to the 916, sharing everything from styling to even the majority of the bottom end of the engine, and the slight sacrifice in peak horsepower paid off in even better handling thanks to the reduced weight. We could talk more about the stock bike but that wouldn’t apply in this case, as it was heavily customized early in its life to become a Troy Bayliss race replica!
This example is VIN: ZDM1SB3R0XB010938.
During his ownership, the seller has covered roughly 400 miles. There is no odometer, true mileage is unknown but is estimated at just shy of 4,000.
The seller is our Operations Manager Frank Sindermann, he used to run Xtreme Cyclez in Northern California. He bought this bike in 1999 with roughly 3,500 miles on it, then turned it into a Troy Bayliss race replica. He put about 400 miles on it and then ended up keeping it on display in his living room for approximately 20 years.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, flush the hydraulic fluids, clean/adjust/lube the chain, top off the coolant, send the ECU out to be repaired, and replace the regulator/rectifier. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Good
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: Good
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: Ok
Coolant Quality: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New, <1.5% Moisture
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New, <1.5% Moisture
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New, <1.5% Moisture
Final Drive Condition: Ok
Headlight High Beam: N/A
Headlight Low Beam: N/A
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: N/A
Turn Signals: N/A
Tail Light: N/A
Brake Light (Front Switch): N/A
Brake Light (Rear Switch): N/A
Plate Light: N/A
Horn: N/A
Kill Switch: OK
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Bump stock is broken
Tire Date Code Front: 34/16
Tire Date Code Rear: 24/13
Tire % Remaining Front: +90% SLICK
Tire % Remaining Rear: +90% SLICK
Tire Press. Front: 30 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 33 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.7V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 14.3V
Running Condition: Yes, runs well on bench
Test Ride Completed: None taken
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Notes:
**Race Bike**
*Bike has big bore engine
-No air filters present
-No lights, signals, taillight or horn
-Tail has crack repair on righthand side
-Front fairing and belly pan are fiberglass
-Relays installed upside down
-Clutch lever bearing broken
-YT12 battery zip tied in
-Blue coolant
-Cracked end link for Throttle Body Linkage
-Velocity Stack Rubber is pinched
-Tach unit reads erratically
-Only functions over 6K RPM
-Likely reading erroneously
-Race slicks mounted
REPAIRS RECOMMENDED:
-Tires, if preparing for upcoming track day
Modifications:
Fast by Ferracci 890 big bore kit, at the time it also got new rocker arms, new timing belts, and Samco coolant hoses.
Sharkskinz front fairing and belly pan, custom painted.
Ducati carbon fiber air intakes.
Stock outer fork tubes with Ohlins sticker, aftermarket inner fork tubes.
Ohlins shock.
Stock seat with custom seat cover.
Termignoni exhaust.
STM Evoluzione slipper clutch, TEC.MOTO open clutch cover (1 of 11 made, not available to the public, the cover came from Ben Bostrom).
Bonamici Racing rearsets.
Carbon fiber swingarm cover.
R&G Racing front axle sliders.
TEC.MOTO clutch slave cylinder.
Adjustable levers, brake lever guard, turn signal delete.
Powdercoated triple tree to mimic magnesium, Ohlins steering stabilizer.
Inside of the tank:
Not pictured: custom made aluminum coolant reservoir.
It is riding on Pirelli Diablo Superbike slicks with date codes of 2413 and 3416.
The sale includes one key and a rear wheel stand.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Ducati is offered on a clean California title. It is believed to be on Non-Operation Registration status. The cost to bring the CA registration current through April 2027 is $315.
Have any 748R stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
