998R Found

[LuckyDux]

I was recently lucky enough to have a 2002 998R fall into my lap and I am now the owner. How do you have one of the rarest bikes fall in you lap? I bought it at an IRS tax auction. You should all kick yourselves now for not going to that auction because it will probably never happen again.

The good news about the bike is it appears to be in really good condition. It has under 15,000 miles on it but it has been rode. I'm not an expert, but all of the panels appear to be good with the exception of minor chips and scrapes, most of which look like they are from riding boots or suit. It started right up and was driven the 100 miles home with no problems. The headlights were dusty on the inside. I've taken them apart and cleaned them up. they look good now. Is this common for Ducatis or this model? I could not see an obvious source and if there is a prevention, I would do it. The two pouches of foam insulation on the inside of the carbon fiber side panel have deteriorated, so I will be purchasing new ones. Any good methods for removing the clips holding them on without risking the panels? I'm thinking a pair of tapered hooks to try and wedge into the spring arms.

The bad news is there is no plack, no manuals, no tool kit, and no history as of yet. This bike is number 470 of 700. VIN is ZDM3H99VX2B014699 which checks out as correct as far as I can tell. I am cleaning it up and will be finished tonight, so as soon as the weather clears I will get good pictures of the bike as detailed. If anybody knows any of the bikes history, it is a rare bike in a fairly small community, let me know. I will be doing research, but haven't had much luck other than the original purchaser and one other owner.

Because I don't have the manuals, I do have some stupid questions. Changing the air filters. The manual I have found on-line is for an 998S and it has split air boxes to remove the filters. These are one piece. The only way I can see to remove them is to pull the fairing and just pull them out the front. I didn't try it yet because I want to make sure this is right and I can actually put a new filter in this way. Anybody know anything?

Until the weather clears, here are some as purchased photos....

[ProphetPVD]

Dux... if you go to the Ducati US site you can download both the owners manual and master assembly/parts list for your bike in .pdf format. Follow this link and enter Year (2002), Family (Superbike), Model and Language. Ducati

That is in beautiful shape. I have an '02 748R and have the same headlight issue, only not as bad. Not sure why it occurs but it is a fairly common problem for the 916 series.

To get at the filters on the R you have to remove the tank... there is a single bolt at the rear of the tank which holds it down. Once the bolt is removed, pull the tank back away from the triple tree about an inch or so to disengage the guide pin. At this point, pivot the tank forward lifting the rear to gain access to the fuel pump lines, tank vent and electrical connection. These all must be disengaged, and the only tricky part will be the two fuel lines. It is easier to do this with someone helping, but if not, prop the end of the tank up on a small block of wood. There are tabs on the fuel line quick disconnects which must be pressed in towards the center of the connector... hold the tab pressed in and pull down on the line, gently. There is a plastic fitting inside the metal connector and it is somewhat fragile.

Once this is done, you should have access to the 2 air filters, one per side, built into the top half of the airbox, which is CF. Before attempting to pull them I would cover the shower injectors/intake stacks with a rag to prevent anything from getting in there.

Good luck.

[vcyclenut]

wow!! what a beauty!!

whats with the plastic bag in the front wheel??

[nine16]

Awesome find!

Fess up, how much of a steal was it?

[McFly]

Very nice, congrats on the 998r it is a gem.

[tsal998]

absolutely gorgeous! congrats! 470 of 700? is that what the plate on the triple tree says? i thought there were only 500 made? can someone verify? enjoy it!

[nine16]

500 996R's. (2001)

[LuckyDux]

I'm not saying how good a deal it was yet, but it is really embarrassingly good I think. I have never noticed the plastic bag before you just pointed it out. Probably static cling from a Walmart bag from my cleaning supplies. Now I need to go home and see if it is still there. It won't be in the next pictures. Thanks for the tip on the owners manuals, I'll go on there tonight. This computer can't pull up the Ducatiusa site for some reason. Good story on the auction though. First time they have paid off for me. I was lucky on the location since I needed to visit my daughter at LSU and went to the auction on the way there.

[nine16]

Well, whatever you got it for, as long as it was less than $15k you did well.

[LuckyDux]

The 700 is correct but I fat fingered on the 470. It is actually 460.