New 250 mk3 Owner

[Glawster]

Yeah, I'm not sure he torqued all the head bolts down the same either....
Thanks for the info. Having looked at it again I think the problem is that the cables are too long. I was going to replace the clutch cable but Classic Ducati only had shorter ones for clip ons. I think I've got cables for Scrambler type bars, but that a shorter cable would be better. Similar with the throttle cable. If I take the route you recommended I get a great big loop hanging out in front of the bike.
Maybe I'll get a new clutch cable and shorten the throttle cable.
Thanks,
Derek

[Glawster]

Just to bring this thread to a conclusion - I thought I'd post some pics of the finished bike. I wouldn't call it show standard, but it's now a very smart little bike which I'm quite pleased with. I took it out this morning to get it MOT tested (a UK requirement) and it fair emptied the bike shop. Both customers and mechanics were very interested. Anyway it passed the MOT test OK and is now ready for the road. Mind you....it is slow, but I intend to ride sympathetically as befits it's 40 year old status and ride at 4-5,000 rpm.
I haven't touched the engine and only t-cut the red paintwork, but the rest has been more or less painted, plated, polished or replaced. For the record I used the following suppliers of parts and services:

Parts - Classic Ducati, Nigel Lacey, Italian Motorbikes (Verona), Big Joe (California), Paddy Ducati.
Powder Coating - RPA Bristol
Plating - Classic Chrome (Hinckley - next to the Triumph factory), Brimscombe Plating, (Stroud) for Zinc.
Wheels - Dick Waldron (Milton Keynes)
Seat - RK Leighton (Birmingham)
Number Plate - Tippers Vintage Plates (St Austell)

Problem is - now I don't have anything to do. Anyone got a shabby original 750GT going cheap?

And thanks for all the good advice from this forum.

Best regards,
Derek

[graeme]

Wow!
I can see why it emptied the bike shop.

[StewartD]

Derek,

Congratulations on the project; it looks fabulous. I hope you keep those original panniers for occasional use. They look very nice too.

I notice that the silencer has a clip near the tail and the earlier photos look as though there is no clip but it still appears to have the 'Silentium' engraving. Are they different or do the photos deceive me. Also, is it a new silencer or did you get it rechromed; it did not appear in the earlier photo you posted of parts for chroming.

Cheers,

Stewart

[Glawster]

Hi Stewart,
I bought a "new" silencer from Ebay - well it had only been used for a couple of miles. It has Moto Ducati engraved on it, but not Silentium, so I suppose it's a Silentium copy. The old one I re-sold on Ebay to a guy who was just looking for a solid silencer and not too fussy about the quality of the chrome.
I found chrome plating to be very expensive and only the handlebars and lever mounts were rechromed. All the small fasteners, spindles etc I had zinc plated for a total of £20 and they look OK.

I will try to refurb the panniers, but they are full of cracks. Maybe a car body shop would be the place to get this done, but if anyone knows of a new pair, I'd be interested. I also need to paint the original hand pump which fits on the downtube of the frame.

I did around 30 miles on it last night and although the power output is very limited, at 55-60 mph it purrs along beautifully. And the handling is pure Ducati.
The brakes and lights are another matter though...