Good afternoon everyone. I have a bit of a daft question that I hope someone can shed some light on. I'm toying with the idea of buying a post 2000 748(with darker gun metal frame and wheels) but do it up as an early pre 1999 style frame (original matt/satin dark goldish colour). Does anyone know if this is possible? Quite often I see frames (and wheels) repainted but they are way off in terms of colour or finish (too glossy). Has anyone painted their frame/wheel and got a good finish - is it even possible? Does anyone know if the original frame was unpainted? Many thanks in advance for any replies - I'm dying to know...
ICI do the Matt Gold as part of their paint range, a colour chip is available. If you wanted to repaint your frame and wheels then it would have to be done by blasting and wet spraying as there is no RAL colour that is near the original Ducati Gold for powder coating. The other option would be to have a special powder coat mix made but there is usually a minimum quantity which is way above the amount required to do just one set of wheels and a frame.
Dream machine repainted my wheels, which I believe match the original colour. Everything else is original paintwork.
Phoaarrr guys, this is juicy information, thank you ever so much. Red998, I shall go and have a look at the old ICI range and see what I can come up with. I’m reluctant about powder coat for potential damage to welds on frame (not sure if there is any truth with this but it’s bugging me) and I get the impression is leaves a very thick layer potential hiding the ‘Ducati Racing’ on the wheel. Shorty 4045, will def see what Dream Machine can do if I can’t come up with a cunning plan. And thanks for the offer Cookster for the frame, it’s still early days but certainly an option. Just out of curiosity, how much would you need to let go of it? Thanks again guys.
I use these people who do a very good job and I know others on this forum have used them as swell. There is a small area behind the headstock which is covered in a silicone like material and when that starts to peel away you can get rust behind the headstock, other than that you should have no problems if you did want to get a frame powdered coated. This company can also blast and powder prime your frame and wheels, in which case you can take it elsewhere to get it sprayed. I did this with a few items once that were finished in the Ducati silver (Grigio steel) to get a perfect match. Maldon Shot Blasting & Powder Coating Ltd
Wonderful, thank you very much gents. Much appreciated. No doubt I'll be back with a list of other clever questions...
Actually here is a silly one before I go. After all these years, I've only just noticed that the 'Ducati Racing' writing doesn't appear on all real wheels (around the centre nut on the original 3 spokers). Was this a 748/996 thing or a Duacti "hmmmm, we'll do some but not others depending on the year and how we're feeling..." All the best.
My '97 916 Biposto had the Ducati Racing lettering on the rear wheel, but my '98 916 does not. I'm guessing it was just a change of spec when TPG came in, but it probably isn't as logical as that!
The Ducati Racing raised lettering on rear wheels was only on the early models of about 1997, later wheels did not feature this and no doubt something like a change of specification or just plain cost saw it done away with. The early wheels are sought after in some quarters by purists undertaking accurate restorations.
Thank you ever so much guys. And as suspected Red998... "The early wheels are sought after in some quarters by purists undertaking accurate restorations"... Nooooooooo just what I wanted. Prices will be through the roof.
There are also a lot of people who don't know about the differences, I have a spare set of the early raised lettering wheels and paid no more for them than the ones without. Just look for anyone breaking a 1997 or earlier model
My '98 (TPG) didn't originally have the 'Ducati Racing' wheel but I had a problem in that the bike was supplied to me with the wheel not correctly tourqued up. So after a few hundred miles that the wheel had rocked against the pins, the carrier/axle and wheel needed replacing as the wheel locating holes had ovalled and the pins in the axle rattled loose ovalling the holes in the carrier. The replacement (under warranty) wheel had the 'Ducati Racing' on it, presumably because it was old stock?
