New to forum and need info on 250 Monza

[tobydmv]

Hey thanks for having me here. I've always wanted a Duc 250 bevel and one has finally come my way. It appears to be a '64 Monza 250 and fairly complete with a seized motor. The seller wants $1k. I was thinking 5-600 tops but i've lost track of what these are going for nowadays. Do you think 1k is fair? She will need a complete redo. Seems like the monza's are nice but not as dear as the Diana's. I'm losing a little steam. I'm kind of a Moto Morini and Benelli guy so the part prices are about 3x what i'm used to. Pistons are $350? I'd hate to end up with $5k in a bike thats worth $3k but it happens sometimes.

I've never actually ridden a Duc 250. I've ridden Wards 250's and they are very nice, sound amazing with open pipes. My daily rat is a Motobi 250. Such a lovely handling light weight bike and so easy to work on. If any of you could compare the ride i'd love to hear about it.

Also fiddling with,
1967 Moto Morini 250cc settebello/gti
1954 Moto Morini 175cc turismo
1974 Moto Morini 3 1/2 strada
2002 Guzzi lemans

[Jordan]

These days a grand sounds like a bargain for any complete Ducati.
If you really want to save money, buy one that someone else has already restored is my experience.

[ajleone]

Agree with Jordan, $1000 for a complete duc single is a bargain. depending on how the engine seized, it might free with some careful effort and run well enough. Body work, tin ware, rims, controls, etc if theses are all there, I would buy it.
My 2-cents
Tony

[tobydmv]

Pardon my ignorance, but how can I verify this is not a Mototrans bike? Was told by a friend that Mototrans didnt make narrowcase models. I'd like to be sure.

[motoital]

I wouldn't think it would be mototrans if you are riding a wards riverside. I would also think the detuned Sebring is a better comparison to the wards. The monza is closer to the Benelli 250ss.

I'm trying to find parts for my volcano and I am paying more than I would for the same Ducati part. I would say as long as you don't go the extreme cafe route there would be a market for your monza. If it has original paint and any kind of a pantina. I would try and get the motor free and enjoy. That way you won't be so upside down.

[amartina75]

if you are talking about the bike i think you are i saw it about a week ago on craigslist in SC. it's not a mototrans it is what the seller says it is. he is not asking too much money for it, $1000 is a perfectly reasonable price for it. it does look rough in the pictures but appears to be all there. it might look better in person, it's hard to tell sometimes what is rust and what is that red dirt you guys have down there. you can always offor him less and see what he'll take, but he is not being unreasonable. i see people on craigslist with no clue all the time listing bikes like that, that need everything for what a running driving one is worth. if you are really looking for a Ducati single and you live close to that one i'd say go buy it before someone else does.

when you are doing the restoration remember two things to save money: do not throw anything away no matter how bad it looks and use as many original parts as possible.

[graeme]

What's a volcano?

[motoital]

So sorry! It's a Benelli Volcano. One of their mini bikes but with a 180cc 2-stroke engine.

[graeme]

Ta

[tobydmv]

Volcano's are pure insanity. Its a minibike with a 175cc motor I think. How can parts be expensive? I've seen wards fireball cranks for $30 on ebay.