Serious ID Help Needed

[Krazymaan]

I just purchased this supposedly 1965 Ducati 250 something or other from the original owners widow. They bought it in 1965 brand new as a race bike. It has never been Registered or Titled. He died in 1976 of Mad Cow Disease, He was only 30. He had the bike painted and/or pinstriped in 1966. This is the original paint/pinstripe job from 1966. I am assuming the bike was a different color originally maybe... But there is no other color under this red color or other primers. I am no Ducati expert but it might be made of different bikes or was something, I just don't know. I know he was a serious racer. Just going off of the parts on this bike I see 4 different versions of ducatis and I don't know what I am looking for. Doesn't even have a front brake cable. Any ID help would be awesome. I haven't started the engine yet either, it turns over very nice and has a lot of compression. But there is no on/off switch either.

[Eldert]

the frameloop over the top shock mounts indicates that this is a Scrambler frame . tank is also correct for a scrambler .

however a scrambler should have a 27 mm carb but could easy be swapped for a 29 mm carb

Eldert

[DewCatTea-Bob]

[quote= Krazymaan ...
" I just purchased this supposedly 1965 Ducati 250 something or other
I am no Ducati expert but it might be made of different bikes or was something, I just don't know.
Just going off of the parts on this bike I see 4 different versions of ducatis and I don't know what I am looking for. Any ID help would be awesome. "

____ It's looking overall as a 250-Motocross but no-doubt is indeed a 1965-Scrambler (with 5-gears).
And thusly should have a 55t rear-sprocket and a 14t drive-sprocket with an internal chain-guard.
__ I've also owned a few of the very same model.
Does yours have a motor-number starting-with '91---' ?



" But there is no on/off switch either. "

____ All such pre-66 off-road models came-stock without any key-switch or kill-button ! _ Ya turn-off the petcocks (ahead of time) and then fully whack-open the throttle while at idle or dump the clutch at a stop, to stop the engine.


____ Check the oil, put some fresh gas in the carb,, then slowly rotate the kick-lever until the compression is almost all bled-away, reposition the lever to best leverage, and then give it a hard kick-through, to attempt engine start-up.


Hopeful- Cheers,
-Bob

[Krazymaan]

Yes the engine number is DM250 91609

[Nick]

Ultra-cool Ducati 'dirt tracker'. Congratulations on a spectacular find.

Front brake cable no doubt removed for dirt track racing, where no front brakes are allowed.

Before starting, you might want to remove the valve covers, right-side cam cover and spark plug, shoot some oil on the cams, valve stems and cam gears and into the cylinder, then turn the engine over a few times to get everything lubed up.

Rig up some lights for the ultimate lightweight 'street tracker'!

[amartina75]

Awsome bike! I wouldn't change a thing! other then possibly the header pipe if you plan on starting it around living people.
seriously, I hope you realize what an awsome period Ducati you have there and keep it as such, IMHO

[Krazymaan]

Its going to be kept inside of my house like it has been for the past 38 plus years. I don't plan on changing a thing. This bike deserves to be kept in this original condition, except i want to get it running. I also don't like the home made vinyl handyman wrapped seat cover someone made. I think a custom made light brown leather seat with Ducati tooled into the back would really make this bike pop.

[Krazymaan]

Here are the tire combos
The rear is the Dunlop 4.0 x 19
The front is Pirelli 3.25 x 19
These tires are over 40 years old.

[Krazymaan]

I'll have to take some better shots but this is what I have right now.

[Krazymaan]

Heres a few questions I have.