The site for classic Ducati enthusiasts

A website for enthusiasts of classic Ducati motorcycles

if you own a beveldrive Ducati there should be something here for you


this site includes resources, information, manuals, and photographs of all vintage Ducati motorcycles with bevel gear driven cams, produced between 1954 and 1985.

no money is made from this site, no ads are sold, there is a lot of information for free, and there are links to useful services and vendors... enjoy it...

Please note: Sue and I have retired and moved to the mountains so that we can enjoy riding our bikes without having to ride 5 hours to get somewhere fun... I will be keeping the ducatimeccanica website up and running, but I am no longer accepting restoration, repair, or custom build projects...

If anyone wants to get hold of me my email address is now tv(at)renewaters.ca

I hope people continue to enjoy and benefit from the site.

scroll down (warning its a long way) or jump to...


RESOURSES:

parts manuals rebuild carburation suspension literature


BIKES:

1967 250 Mach1 1976 NCR 900 1965 350 Sebring 1959 175 Sport 1959 200 SS/Elite

Sue at bonneville 1978 900 SS/GTS 1978 900 "Sport" 1979 900 SS 1993 888 SPO





Welcome to ducatimeccanica.com







esplanade_museum

Sue's bike, leathers and memorabilia from her Bonneville escapade on display in the "Speed Style and Art" exhibition at the Esplanade museum. The bike was there for 3 months, all summer, she was not best pleased.



Below: the new home of ducatimeccanica, a little bit smaller, but now the workshop area and the bike areas are separate, and the workshop area is finally sorted enough to actually do something in... but seemingly still always a mess.

garage_workshop

garage1



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And now the fun stuff...

If its September in the Kootenays it can mean only one thing... its MotoGiro time

2023_motogiro


2023 Rocky Mountain MotoGiro
- Sue back to her winning ways on the 200

Motogiro 2023



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THE BIKES


1967 250 Mach 1


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2022 Rocky Mountain Motogiro - 1st Place - Ducati Mach 1

2nd place day one combined standings, 330km endurance stage
1st place day two, closed road hill climb


250_Ducati_motogiro2023



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1976 NCR 900

1976_NCR

1976_NCR_900_in_action

verginio_ferrari_1976

above: Team Perugini/Paloma, Perugini riding (9), Christian Bourgeois (79) and Verginio Ferrari (15) at Mugello and BolDor in 1976 aboard NCR 900s.

NCR_900_76

76-NCR

1976_NCR_900_close-ups

1976_NCR_inside

1976_NCR_900_close-ups2


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1965 Ducati 350 Sebring

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1959 Ducati 175 Sport

1959_175_Sport



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Sue at the 2017 Rocky Mountain MotoGiro - "Fastest Woman"





sue_motogiro_2017_2_sm

OK technically only woman... but she did win the prize for fastest woman, and that made her the first woman to complete the two day event, and this was on the bike before it got its restored 175 Sport motor. The MotoGiro is comprised of a Day 1 330km endurance stage and Day 2 closed course mountain time trial. I didn't get the motor in her 200 rebuilt in time for the event, so she rode the 175 instead. It was a fantastic time again, well organized, brilliant volunteers, great competitors, altogether too much fun. Next year she assures me she will be on her 200... but the 175 made it through the mountains with flying colours so I was well pleased.



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1959 Ducati 200 SS/Elite











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1978 Ducati 900 "Sport"



The 2009 version of my yellow bike met an unfortunate end in October of 2011. The insurance company wrote-off the bike, which led to the DMV decommissioning the frame. As a result I had to build a new bike with a replacement frame and a lot of other bits too... here's the result... longer, lower, better looking and altogether more user friendly... note side-stand and all new for 2012... electric start. (Hey, I'm getting old.) You may recognize some of the salvaged parts from the old bike, but there were woefully few of them. I did however manage to save the colour :-)


once upon a time... and now

1978_Ducati_900GTSport

1978_Ducati_900GTSport_2

1978_Ducati_900GTSport_3

1978_Ducati_900GTSport5

1978_Ducati_900GTSport_4

taglioni_lord_of_beasts

1978 Ducati 900 "Sport"
click here for photos, or here to see the 2009 version which is no more... wrecked, and written off...



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1978 Ducati 900GTS





Sue at the BUB Motorcycle Land Speed Trials - Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah



Riding down to Utah... somewhere in Montana, on the way to Bonneville.

bonneville_2011

sue_ducati_900_bonneville_pits

sue_ducati_900_on_the_salt_2

sue_ducati_900_on_the_salt_3

sue_ducati_900_on_the_salt_1

sue_ducati_900_back_from_first_run

worlds_fastest_weiner_dog

Sue's 1978 Ducati 900GTS "custom" - click for details



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Sue's 1978 Ducati 900



sue_1978_900GTS-SS

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sue_1978_900GTS-SS_2

sue_1978_900GTS-SS_3

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Sue's 1978 Ducati 900 SS "replica" - more



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1979 Ducati 900SS

1979_ducat_900ss

1979_ducati_900ss_inset

1979_ducati_900ss_3

more photos of the 1979 900SS here...



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1993 888 SPO

Not a bevel I know but it's her's... and she does love to ride it :-)

sue_ducati_888

sue_ducati_888_2

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1978 900GTS - the 2008 version






the old bike... sadly no more... pictures are now here

featured in articles




Benzina features the Twenty12 version of my bike in a 10 page article, and look who's on the cover - read article here


The World's Finest Custom Motorcycles calendar
Includes my yellow bike as "Miss June", a great honour, thanks Chris.


Pipeburn really nice cafe racer bike blog features "Miss June" - thanks Scott


Benzina- Issue 3 the best one yet... and not just because Sue's bike is featured in it!
read article here...


Italian Motor - great stuff... another must have magazine if you're an Italian bike enthusiast
subscribe here...


Motorcycle Classics Magazine article - 900GTS custom


Sue's bike is the featured cafe racer at "BIKE EXIF"


Sue in "2009 BUB Speed Trials"
book by the official photographer of the 2009 Land Speed Record Trails - Scooter Grubb


The yellow bike featured at "BIKE EXIF"


article in "SMOKE" magazine


Italian Bike - article in "Italian Bike" magazine


World Superbike Races, Laguna Seca 2002 - we go to California and get together with Bevelheads


World Ducati Weekend - over 500 photos from the biggest gathering of Ducatis in North America ever!





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ducati galleries



500 plus images sorted by model



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some fun stuff...


Bonneville GP - Vintage motorcycle racing at Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah

Rodger Harrison - 750 Sport - Rodger's Sport is perfect...

David Meyer's fabulous bikes - Custom Darmah... 900ss... MH900e...

Tom's infamous GT projects - The bevel barbarian's natural habitat

Richard Kennedy - Tasmania - Beautiful 350 twin filler restoration, completed!

Brian Norrie - Calgary - A thing for S2s, he has two of them and they are just gorgeous!

Sport and singles - a nice sport and some interesting singles from David Chrone

Sue goes to Race City Speedway - and gets her road race license!

Bevelheads get together in Daytona

All Italian Day Car and Motorcycle Show 2001 - Alameda, California

Moto Giro 2001 - Italy - Phil Hitchcock and Chris Bushell at the event

North Vancouver Italian Car & Motorcycle Show 2001 - Photos - Greg Bahrey

Ducati Festival - Spring 2001 - Photos - Wolfram Hage

Scot P Wilson's 750 SS - beautiful Paul Smart Imola Replica

Shawn Roger's 750 Sport - "Best of Show" Daytona "Ducati NIght" 2000

Kevin Bracken's 905cc Ducati - Square-case Custom GT

Kevin's experience building his 900 race motor - detailed discription and photos

Jim Calandro's 750 F1 "Best pre '90 rubberband" Daytona 2000

Steve Richmond's 350 Sebring - was for sale, but you missed your chance

1974 750 Greenframe - the classic

National Ducati Rally 2000, Canberra Australia - Photos - Greg Davies

Great Group Photo - John Clifton - first National Ducati Rally Australia 1992

Latins by the Lake - photos from the annual Latins by the Lake Rally, Australia 2000

Bevels, Van Nuys California - Photos - Dan Kelo

"Greenframes" - Photos - Ralph Poole

Laverda Rally Nakusp BC - First annual Laverda get together at Wolfgang Hearter's (2000)

Bevelheads at Mid Ohio - Peter Bonner

HyperBevel 947 - Huite Vogelaar - Holland

Tom's Newest GT

Spaggiari Replica - New Pics - Grant Vinten's second GT

Ignition Conversion for Singles - photos and info from Phil Hitchcock

Ducati outfit on the Isle of Man - taken by Dan Neff in 2000 - sent in by Greg Bahrey

Isle of Man trip - by Jim Calandro

Wilfried Maetzler's bikes - WDW winner and more

Restoration pics of an F3 & Mach 1 plus lots more - Ismo Hakamaki - Finland

Steve Craven - Aus - Z Stripe 750 Sport...and his Imola replica racer

Kane Brechlin's 750GT - Take a look at "Tink" now

Phil's crossover gearchange on his Singles racer

Seth Dorfler's beautiful 860 GT with leather accessories

Festival of Italian Motorcycles - Sept 2002 - Melbourne, Aus - Russ Murray

Andrew Jone's 450 SCR - lots of work

Steve Wynne's Sport Motors Ducati - photos by Kevin Bracken, Daytona 1982.

Morbidelli Museum in Pesaro Italy - photos by Steve Craven

Moto Giro 2002 - Ron Verweij and Steve Craven

Denver Italian Bike Day - (Auto Mezzi 2002) Willy Gonason

Simons's NCR 900 Ducati - and very tasty too...

Shots of some very rare Ducati's - from Luca Guala

Racing in Germany - Hartmut Snoek and the Konigswellen-Bande

Fred Boonstra - sweet 350 Scrambler - Holland

Adventures in compression - a couple of blown singles

Darmah restoration - Marc Wauters good looking Darmah restoration with custom seat

Follow up to the duc-man spy pics - Thanks Joe

Antwerp Classic Racing Team - Tony van der Sanden

Track Day - Belgium - Joris and Tony along with the Antwerp Classic Racing Team

250 Mototrans Deluxe - Anniversary Ride (Spain to Northern Africa) - Luis Teba

1977 900 SS and a new/old GT - Tim Keyes

One COOL 1978 Darmah SD 900 - Haavard Jakobsen - Norway

BOTT Racing - photographed by Hiroshi at the Japanese series

Some more shots from the Dyke Blast - a few more photos this time from Joris

Dyke Blast 2002 - photos from the first official bevelhead dyke blast

Joris goes to Sardinia - photos from Joris' trip

"Best Bevel Twin" - Rodger Harrison and his Super Sport - Daytona 2002

Marco and Xavier - bevels from French Ducati Club 20th Anniversary.

NDR - 2002 National Ducati Rally Australia - Phil Hitchcock

NDR - National Ducati Rally Australia - March 2002

160 Monza Jr - George Farncomb, Canada

A Very Cool 750 - Eric Charle's, France

2001 Trip from HELL - say no more...

2002 Vancouver Italian Bike Show - Sunday June 16, 2002

Kent Jornevall's Swedish 750 roundcase - oh yes!

A true bevel barbarian - just what do they get up to in Tasmania

450 Jupiter Lorin Smith's pride and joy, original and beautiful

350 Scrambler Project Richard's impossible dream

Ducati Owners Club of Canada Toronto International Motorcycle Supershow 2002

Greg Davies imaculate Sport - great taste in bikes, suspect associates...

The phantom ducman spy pics - who is that masked man

Ismo Hakamaki's "bigbore" 175cc 5-speed

450 MK III D - and some other beauties too

Scot Wilson - a pair of cool '72 Z Stripe Sports

Charles Turner's 750 Sport

Early GT - Stefan Schafter - Switzerland

Hiroshi gets his GT on the road - Hiroshi Yamaguchi's GT passes it's inspection in Japan

Beautiful 1958 125 F3 - Alan Moseley - Holland

Ron Verweij - Holland - a family affair with Ducati...

Bevelhead Racers - some of our very own!

Classic "Blast from the Past" photos - some very cool stuff...

Historic and Racing Ducati archive - historic Ducati images from the Ducati Museum collection - Bologna - courtesy of Livio Lodi museum curator



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RESOURSES

part suppliers


people I know and or have had good experiences with



Road & Race Ducati - Australia, Phil Hitchcock. The source for bevel parts - if Phil doesn't have it, it's going to be hard to find. I do business with Phil all the time, great service, prices are excellent, shipping is fast - roadrace@cci.net.au

Columbia Car & Cycle - Wolfgang Haerter, British Columbia, Canada - Great source for many of the Ducati parts you've all been looking for. Wolfgang is a great guy, we recommend him highly.
Phone/fax: (Nakusp, British Columbia, Canada) 250 265 0165
Shop: 250 265 0165
Online catalogue

Mdina Italia - Andrew sold the business to a new owner, in the past Mdina Italia was second to none for quality parts and exceptional service, hopefully the high standards will be maintained.
Phone: 0845 680 9005
Fax: 0845 680 9007
E-mail:sales@mdinaitalia.co.uk

Disco Volante UK - Howard Davies, great guy, official UK Borrani dealer... used to be a wide case single supplier, but now has lots of bevel twin and narrowcase stuff too. I love Howard, if you get a chance go to his house, his dogs are great (and huge)!
Telephone/Fax: +44 (0) 1490 412621
Mobile: 07960 860017
Email: meandthedog0@gmail.com

Lacey Ducati UK - Everything you need to rebuild your Ducati single. Super helpful, great service. Just email Edina.
Telephone: +44 (0) 1597 870 444
Email: info@laceyducati.com

Made in Italy Motorcycles - John Fallon - John used to be Mdina Italia until he sold it to Andrew (above) and anyone who dealt with him then knows he's one of the best. Now he concentrates on finding fantastic Italian motorcycles for people... just check out his website
Phone: 01449 612900
Fax: 01449 612900
E-mail:john@madeinitalymotorcycles.com
or visit in person:
8C Stowmarket Business Park
Ernest Nunn Rd
Stowmarket
Suffolk IP14 2AH

Classic Ducati - Angela and Barry Jones - UK company selling parts for singles - I have purchased from Barry, he's great to deal with, first class parts and service, highly recommended - classicducati@btinternet.com

Classic Italian Bikes - Giovanni Gentile - I've bought several parts from Giovani, always had good experiences and he ships quickly too.
Classic Italian Bikes
Email: gio655@hotmail.com
Phone: 0031 627453965
Hooftstraat 11 B
2406 GD Alphen aan den Rijn, Holland

Guzzino.com - U.S. company specalizing in Italian motor cycle parts 1950-1980, large stock of Dellorto Carb parts and Brembo Brake parts
motoguzzino@yahoo.com

OLD RACING SPARE PARTS - Italy, lots and lots of stuff...

Eurotrash Jambayala - Joe Carter in San Jose Clifornia, 150 Piercy Road San Jose, CA 95138 - all kinds of bit and pieces for bevel twins and singles. I've purchsed various bits from him through eBay and been quite happy - sales@eurojamb.com

Buchanan's - wheel builders, one of the best, comensurate prices - 29 E. Garvey Ave. Monterey Park CA 91755 - 818 280 4003



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more good stuff




Cam timing for all bevel Ducati - Jim Pianetta and a racing friend meticulously compiled cam timings for bevel Ducatis. Jordan Princic scanned it and made it up into a PDF file, around 4MB. Jim wanted to have it online so anyone could freely access the information. So here it is. Very useful stuff, and the result of much hard work and dedication. Thanks Jim, and Jordan.

Verlicchi style grips and other rubber goodies - - Yes the original style black "finger bump" grips - perfect reproduction Verlicchi grips... PLUS replacement speedo boots, coil/transducer boots, and fork seal dust covers for Marzzochi and Ceriani type forks!

Detail Brushes - original design, stainless steel or nylon, handmade detail brushes - top quality stuff

Low cost replacement oil filters for 900s - Kawasaki filter - #16099-004 - or after market part # HIFLOFILTRO HF 123 - readily available and seals on the shaft, not on the washer and top cap - Phil Hitchcock

Replacement air filter element - for stock 900cc air boxes: WIX # - 42374
GT Replacement Air Filters:
Ducati Part Number 0615.27. 275 - FIAAM FL 6179
same as: FIAT Part # 4110530
same as: RYCO (FIAT) A134

Lucas RITA electronic ignition system - Sadly no longer manufactured or availabe, here are installation instructions, troubleshooting, photos, and wiring diagrams for those that still have one.

750GT seat cover - pattern taken from the original cover - Lloyd Maclean

The geargazer - aftermarket replacement top bevelcover with sight glass that provides view of working bevelgears, available in various styles, from various sources, like Road and Race

Loctite application chart - which is the right loctite for the job, find out here - thanks ? (send me your name)

Chevy 4X4 Hub Socket - cheap tool that makes it easy to remove or tighten front sprocket nut on Ducati twins, you will have to file it a bit but they are a cheap alternative to the real tool, and available just about anywhere, if you're on the road when you need one.




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original owners manuals, parts manuals, workshop manuals...




Cucciolo Owners manual

Cucciolo Parts Manual

Cucciolo Motor Photos




160 Monza Jr. - Operation, Maintenance and Service Manual
(sorry about the wrinkles)


mach1

1965 250 Mach1 Mk3 Monza GT and Scrambler instructions for use and maintenance - PDF

1967 to 1970 250, 350, 450cc Workshop Manual 5-Speed Ducati single overhead camshaft motorcycles Instructions for Service Stations and Ducati Repair Shops. - PDF

250 Monza and 250 Diana Parts Manual - in French and English - PDF


Ducati-450-Desmo

1970 450 Mk3 Mk3D and Scrambler Owners, Repair and Instructions for Use Manual - PDF

scrambler

1968 350 Scrambler Owners Maintenance and Service Manual - PDF
1968 350 Scrambler - Owners Service Manual - same manual HTML


250-350, 450 MkIII, 450 MkIII D, 450 Scrambler - Wiring Diagram


The mother of all singles parts manuals
389 pages of diagrams and part numbers covering all the following models...

250 Monza 250 Mk lll D 250 Scrambler
250 Mk lll 350 Mk lll D 350 Scrambler
350 Mk lll 450 Mk lll D 450 Scrambler
450 Mk lll 450 Scrambler (US)



'73 350 Ducati - Mototrans - Wiring Diagram

250 GT Ducati Engine - exploded diagram

Ducati single cylinder engine - cutaway diagram

Ducati cam colours de-mystified - Ducati single cylinder cams from the 250 models onwards were designated with paint on the bevel gear end of the cam, the colour corresponding to the model it was used in.

Ducati_single_cam_colours

White...... 250 SCR - all years - part number 0601.29.010
Grey....... Mach 1, Mark III (narrowcase) - part number 0603.29.010
Violet..... Monza - part number 0600.29.013
White/Green..... 250,350.450 non desmo racing - part number 0747.29.010
White/Blue....... 450 SCR, 450 Mark 3 - part number 0601.29.010
White/Blue....... Desmo all road models - part number 0609.29.010
Red/White........ Desmo Racing - no part number available
Red........ 1962-4 Diana Mark 3 - part number 0602.29.010
Violet...... 350 Sebring - part number 0600.29.013
Black...... 250 GT to engine no.87421 then Violet as Monza - part number 0605.29.010

mick_walker_ducati_singles_restoration



The following is irreplaceable information taken from
Mick Walker's definitive book "Ducati Singles Restoration"

Ducati singles specifications - all models and years - PDF

Ducati singles changes by model year - PDF

Ducati singles paint colour schemes by model and year - PDF

Ducati singles factory carburettor jetting - PDF

Ducati singles original front and rear sprocket combinations - PDF



750 GT and 750 Sport

750GT Owners Manual

750GT and 750 Sport Parts Manual

Servicing the 750 and 860 motor
complete disassembly and reassembly instructions for the roundcase 750 motor, with additional information for the 860GT motor - PDF

750 Roundcase Workshop Manual

750 roundcase engine cutaway

750 GT - Wiring Diagram

1974 750 Sport - Wiring diagram - enlargeable PDF



  750 and 900 Super Sport

1975 750-900 SS Owners Manual

1975 750SS and 900SS Owners Manual - PDF

1975-76 750SS and 900SS Parts Catalog - PDF

1975-76 750-900 SS Parts Catalogue

1975-77 750SS and 900SS Workshop Manual - PDF

1978 900 SS Parts Manual

1978 900SS Parts Catalog - PDF

1979-80 900 SS Parts Manual

1979-80 900SS Parts Catalog - PDF

Supplemental manual to the 750 and 900SS workshop manual
NOTE: covers all 860 based Ducati, including: 900SD Darmah, 750ss and 900ss Desmo
sevice, maintenance and overhaul instructions

1975 750-900 SS - Wiring diagram - enlargeable PDF

1976 750-900 SS - Wiring diagram - enlargeable PDF



  860 GT and 900 GTS

860 Motor - cutaway drawing

860GT Owners Maintenance Service Manual

1975 860GT Parts Manual - PDF

860 - 900 GTS Workshop Manual

860 GT and GTS Workshop Manual - same manual as above in PDF format

Supplemental manual to the 860 GT/GTS workshop manual
NOTE: covers all 860 based Ducati, including: 900SD Darmah, 750ss and 900ss Desmo
sevice, maintenance and overhaul instructions



  350 500 GTL (parallel twin)

350-500 GTL Parts Manual

350-500 GTL Workshop Manual



  Darmah and Darmah SS

Darmah Owners Manual

Darmah Parts Manual - exploded diagrams and part numbers

Darmah Workshop Manual

Supplemental manual to the Darmah, Darmah SD workshop manual
NOTE: covers all 860 based Ducati, including: 900SD Darmah, 750ss and 900ss Desmo
sevice, maintenance and overhaul instructions

Darmah SS Parts Manual - exploded diagrams and part numbers



S2 and MHR 900/mille

900 MHR Parts manual

900 MHR Supplement to the 900/SS manual

900 S2 Parts Manual

MHR and S2 (Mille) Parts Manual

MHR (Mille) Owners Manual




  Pantah 500/600 SL and Indiana

Pantah 500SL Parts Manual

Pantah 600SL Parts Manual

Pantah Workshop Manual

Ducati Indiana 350 - 650 Parts Manual



  750 F1

750F1 Workshop Manual


Cagiva Alazzurra 350-650 Workshop Manual


Cagiva Alazzurra 350-650 Parts Manual



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engine rebuild articles




Rebuilding the roundcase engine

Rebuilding the squarecase engine - Classic Mechanics magazine
Part I - Rebuilding a broken Duke
Part II - The tear down continues
Part III - Tearing down the bottom end
Part IV- What's the damage
Part V - Setting up the desmo valve gear
Part VI - Top end tear down
Part VII - Rebuilding the bottom end
Part VIII - Completing the bottom end
Part IX - Finishing up
Part X - Back on the road
Mick Walker's comments - on above big end rebuild

Mick Walker on rebuilding the 860 motor - his own article from Classic Mechanics magazine


Setting desmo valve clearances - Ducati twins - Godfrey DiGiorgi

Desmo valve job - Ducati singles - article from Popular Cycling 1970

Timing Degree Wheel



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carburation


tuning, jetting, parts manuals, exploded diagrams etc for DellOrto carbs



DellOrto Tuning Guide - the factory manual, everything you need to know about your DellOrto carbs - includes 32 diagrams

Factory Jetting Guide - selecting the right jets, floats, atomizers, and slides.

Needles Charts - needles sizing for DellOrto carbs. - Jon Houston / Phil Hitchcock

Dellorto Needle Profiles - Wolfgang Haerter

How to correctly set the float levels - how to and height chart

Factory set ups for singles - by model - Alan Moseley

Exploded diagrams - photos and parts lists for:
PHM*       PHF*           SS1         UB         PHBE

PHBG       PHBH-L       SHA       VHB       VHSA/B
DellOrto PHM 38-40 mm - Factory workshop manual



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suspension


factory service and repair manuals



Marzocchi Forks - Factory service and rebuild manual

Marzocchi AG Strada - Factory rebuild manual

download zip file of all, suitable for printing


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paint


The original paint manufacturer paint codes for all classic Ducati models.
In fact all classic Italian motorcycles and most of the cars too. Great resource.



Lechler - Ducati Paint Codes



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submissions


interesting stuff from other bevel owners



Ducati 1973 - 1997 - Listed by type, number manufactured, and year

Times of adventure - 1957 - Tartarini rides 175 Ducati around the world

Ducati Postcard - neat postcard featuring a couple of cool singles in the Italian countryside

Paul Smart - Autographed commemorative postcard, got this from the man himself at DRA 2001

Gavin Gonsal - buckle owner - 5000 m up the Himalayas - 2001

GTSrule - 100,000 km on a 860 GTS

Metisse 860 frame kits

DOT-5 brake fluid in Brembo brake systems: TSW Vehicle Concepts

IMPORTANT: All brembo braking products use natural-rubber base seals, and therefore are INCOMPATIBLE with DOT-5 SILICONE-based brake fluids.

DOT-5 SILICONE-based fluids react with natural-rubber seals to swell them WHICH CAN CAUSE SEVERE PISTON RETRACTION PROBLEMS. There is no cure for problems caused by DOT- 5 use other than complete seals replacement - USE ONLY DOT-3/4 NON-SILICONE TYPE FLUIDS in your brembo components.

(Yes, we know the cap on the rectangular master cylinders says DOT 3 - 5 Fluids - BUT PLEASE NOTE: Silicone DOT- 5 fluids are NOT generally in use in Europe, but Glycol-based DOT-5.1 fluids ARE. Hence, the DOT-5 cap designation)

For best braking performance, they recommend changing brake fluid twice a year. If the machine is to be stored in a damp environment (over the winter, say), they recommend installing fresh fluid before and after the storage period. At minimum service levels, glycol brake fluids MUST be completely changed at intervals not to exceed a period of 18 months.

K&N Filters Flow Bench Data Chart, with various setups

Making a flywheel puller - for the MHR Mille (with diagrams) - Anders Hortvedt, Norway

Wheel lacing - article from Popular Cycling 1970 - I do mine the same way except I mount my wheels vertically and use a dial indicator for trueing rather than just a pointer

Fix the 750 ignition system Want to run spark and lights at the same time! - here's how - Cycle Magazine 1977

Neutral indicator Need to fix a worn or unreliable neutral indicator - here's the diagram for the cam

Replacing dash lights with LEDs - a step by step how to - Knut Wille

Ballast Resistors Understanding how they work - Lloyd Maclean

Brake master cylinder to wheel cylinder ratios - the secret for finding great brake "feel" - from Vintage Brakes, California

Lockheed master cylinder modification - Original Chris Ghent - additions Chris Haywood

High Performance Gasoline - article from Popular Hot Rodding - the ins and outs of octane

Change oil every 1000 miles - The end to the dreaded "OIL THREAD" - and NOT just because it says to in the owners manual, but substantive research into the old oil question - Motorcycle Consumer News

Some more words regarding oil - James DeRaeve

Fork oil see owners manuals above for volumes for specific models. - Oil weight can and will vary with personal preference in terms of stiffness vs. ride comfort. Simply put lighter oils produce a softer ride, thicker increase stiffness. Thicker, heavier weight oil, increases dampening, slowing fork compression. Suspension travel is usually not changed, but the time it takes to move that distance is increased with thicker oils. Therefore heavier weight oils will reduce the tendency for the front end to dive under braking, but at the cost of ride comfort. You will feel the bumps. Personal choice thing. Typical fork oil weights are 5w - 25w. Many bikes including bevels (see owners manuals) are spec'd for ATF (transmission fluid) in the forks, generally accepted to be equivalent to 15w

"mirror mirror on the wall who's the oddest Ducati of all?"

Oddest Ducati ? - Phil's 20 hp outboard Ducati!!!

Prototype V4 cases and covers - Phil Hitchcock




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articles and books


Books

Ducati Books - By no means the definitive list , and not in any order of preference, just some of the books I have found useful and or interesting... go to books


Magazine Articles - classic, period, and or out of print


Is Your Scrambler Fast Enough - pics from Italian magazine "Moto Tecnica" - Luca

Did you seize your Pantah's vertical cylinder - more pics - "Moto Tecnica" - Luca

Narrow Case 12 Volt Conversion - Motorcycle Mechanics - Jon Krocker

Odds on Duke - The Mike Hailwood Replica - Superbike magazine - Brenard Fanning

Hailwood's Honda 6 cylinder - Cycle World magazine - Brenard Fanning

A very special special - May 1980 Superbike magazine - Brenard Fanning

Devine Right To Be Different - Ducati 750 Sport - Superbike magazine - Rodger Harrison

Luigi's Hammer - 107 hp 160 mph Duke - Superbike magazine - Bernard Fanning

Last Real Bike - Zenyata Ducati from Superbike magazine - Bernard Fanning

Yellow Hammer - Harris framed Darmah custom from Superbike magazine

Ducati SS vs Guzzi LeMans - interesting article from Feb '85 Superbike magazine

750 GT quick service - article from Motorcycle Mechanic September '75

Millemono - period monoshock Mille article, Superbike Magazine

900 SS desmo - 1978 article, Cycle Magazine

Ducati GT 750 Article - "Motociclismo" November 1971

The Supreme Sportster, Ducati 750 Sport - "Two Wheels" October 1974 - Australia

750 Sport - great article from "Italian Motorcycles" Magazine

Hanging off - The in's and out's and where's and why's of hanging off, all the science you need in language anyone can understand, great article - Dave Hough

Tuning Yourself For The Twisties

Darmah - Motorcycle Classics Magazine Article

Birth of the Ducati V Twin - article from "Streetbike" magazine - by Ian Falloon

The California Hot Rod - Cycle Magazine - the Cook Neilson 750 race bike, the bike that made Ducati's name in North America, in his own words

One Good Season - Cycle Magazine - Cook Neilson on his '75 season, great photos and a great read

Darkest Secrets Revealed - Cycle Magazine'77 - Cook Neilson reveals the secrets of what made the Hot Rod so fast

One for the Road - 1973 Cycle Magazine on the '72 750 Sport, very interesting

750 Sport - 1987 Classic Bike Magazine "classic test" on the 750 Sport

Walker on desmodromics - article from Classic Mechanics magazine

Bearings: Part 1 - article from Classic Mechanics magazine

Darmah - article from "Streetbike" magazine - by Ian Falloon

Ducati Darmah 900SD - April 1980 Cycle Magazine

A Racing Darmah down under - from Performance Streetbike

Paul Smart's Imola winning 750 - from Classic Bike Magazine

Darmah Queen - great article from Moto Retro magazine

1972 750 Sport - The rarest of the rare? photo and information

250 desmo - by Dave Minton - great article with photos and wonderful period advertisements - from "Two Wheels '75"

Mick Walker Motor Cycles - 1975 Advertisement - love him or hate him you've got to see this. Not responsible for injuries resulting from viewing this ad.

Period advertisement - must be '75 as there are still singles and the "stop press" news is the wonderful new 860GT!

900SS and 900 MHR - Ad from Superbike 1980
Period ad for Darmah

Period UK Ducati ad Mick Walker, Sport Motor Cycles

Another period UK ad - interesting to compare the then new bike prices

MHR period UK ad - the bike born out of a legend

MHR - poster from Superbike magazine 1982



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original sales literature




900 SS "cutaway" diagram

Posters - '69 Mach 1, '74 350 Desmo, '73 750 GT, '74 750 Sport, '72 750 Imola Racer

6 Page 60's Sales Brochure - Featuring: Cadet 100, 160 Monza Junior, 250 Monza, 250 Mark 3, 250 Scrambler, 350 Sebring -

750GT factory sales brochure - Awesome original 8 page foldout

2 750 GT Posters

860cc - Poster

50 Falcon       backside

65 100 Cadet       backside

250 350 450 Desmo

125 Bronco - small

250 Monza - small

350 Desmo - small

Elite 200

250 Mach I

250 Road      backside

250 350 Mk3D - poor condition sorry

250 Diana Mk3      backside

250 Diana Mk3       backside

250 Scrambler       backside

450 Desmo - Berliner ad, just plain scary

Apollo D/B V/4      backside

750 GT      backside

750 GT      backside

750 GT

75 750 SS Squarecase      backside

75 900 SS      

73 750 Sport

750 Sport       backside

76 860 GT      backside

77 860 GTS

78 900 GTS      backside

78 900 SS      backside

79 900 SS>      backside

78 Darmah       backside

79 Darmah -       backside

Darmah 900 and 900 SS       inside 1       inside 2       backside

79 900SS and 900 MHR      inside      backside

Mike Hailwood Replica 900      backside

81 900 SS -       backside

900 S2       Inside       backside   

Mille S2       Inside     backside

Ducati brochure cover - various models, MHR, S2, TT1, Pantah

600SL Pantah

Pantah 600 Police - small

F1A      backside

750 F1 4 page original sales brochure

F1 Prototype



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some authentic Italian recipes


translations by Luca Guala


This was an idea of Luca's to share some authentic Italian recipes with some authentic Italian bike nuts. He's translating and sending me recipes that his girlfriend Antonia makes, Sue and I are trying them, and then posting them here. The ones we have tried so far are excellent, there are perks to doing this website.

I am presenting the recipes exactly as Luca sends them, try them just the way he describes, his English is great, and some of the subtle nuances in his translations are delightful, thank you so much Luca. What a great idea.

Pasta alla Bolognese - wonderful, this is the real thing from Bologna, try it, it's great

Pasta al pesto Genovese - a real treat and Luca says a typical recipe from Genoa

Tiramisu - if you've never had real Tiramisu you don't know what you've been missing...

Hiroshi made Tiramisu - 'it's very sweet and nice but a little bitter like bevel driven Ducati'



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D I S C L A I M E R

I take no responsibility for anything you might or might not do as result of information you find on or through this website... anything you do as a result of viewing this website is your responsibility and has explicitly not been advised, encouraged or recommended by me.