Trans_Maro
Trans_Maro PowerDork
5/30/16 12:03 a.m.

So, I'm currently working a deal on a couple vintage Ducati (Ducatis, Ducatii?)

I'm most familiar with Italian v-twins that are installed correctly in the chassis. These north-south freakshow engines will be something altogether new to me.

Bevelheaven is loaded with loving owners who may be biased.

Anyone here had any experiences with these machines? Things to watch out for, problems, etc?

octavious
octavious HalfDork
5/30/16 6:14 a.m.

I have no first hand knowledge on those, so I'm really of no help... But pics please???

44Dwarf
44Dwarf UltraDork
5/30/16 8:26 a.m.

The only real knowledge I have is with pushed hard in racing they tend to wear the gear on the crank and that make valve timing scatter. its not a replaceable gear as I recall just find another crank. the small singles on the other hand need to be reved for the oil system to work properly.

Trans_Maro
Trans_Maro PowerDork
5/30/16 9:22 a.m.

No pics yet. I'll have the bikes in my hands in July.

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
5/30/16 11:22 a.m.

I've owned a 900 SS Darmah for a while - in fact, the writeup I put on my old website is still there. I don't even remember writing it...

Electrics are an issue as they are with almost all 70s Italian bikes and there's the question of competence of the previous mechanics who serviced the engine. Other than that they're pretty robust.

Trans_Maro
Trans_Maro PowerDork
6/4/16 4:36 p.m.

Pics of the first one. Deal is done on this one, going to pick it up in July:

The 860GT is one of the less loved model but it's about the only way to get into a bevel drive bike under $10,000.

BoxheadTim
BoxheadTim GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
6/4/16 6:24 p.m.

Looking good. The GT might be a less loved one, but it's also more usable IMHO.

Trans_Maro
Trans_Maro PowerDork
6/4/16 7:27 p.m.

My wife wants a classic bike to ride and she's not going to be using my 850 LeMans so the 860GT might be a good option.

I'll restore the GT for myself, she can ride it if we go for coffee or ice cream.

Should look good with a LeMans and a 860GT parked next to each other.

The nice part is, while I was researching the yellow bike, a friend put me on the trail of a second one in worse shape.

The yellow one comes with bodywork to clone a 900SD so I might have a plan for the rough one if everything goes well.

markwemple
markwemple SuperDork
6/5/16 9:20 a.m.

One thing is to make sure that you use a high quality oil and change often as well as stay on top of valve adjustments. Like a type 547 Porsche, these hate poor tolerances. Ducati went to belts for a reason. But they are neat.

Trans_Maro
Trans_Maro PowerDork
7/10/16 8:11 p.m.

And, they're home!

44Dwarf
44Dwarf UltraDork
7/11/16 9:38 a.m.

Wow lucky guy got the "dust bin" fairings with them and a spare set of body work.

octavious
octavious HalfDork
7/11/16 10:51 a.m.

Very cool.

I honestly have no idea what one of those would be worth, but if you ever tire of the yellow one and want to sell it for cheap, let me know. It totally matches my current fleet color...

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