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This is a very long shot but I’m trying to track down the original registration number for my ‘74 450 Desmo. I suspect it is an original UK bike as it looks like it was at the Isle of Man TT in ‘78 based on the nice stamp was on the top clamp (see picture). There can’t have been too many disc brake 450 Desmos around at the time so just wondering if anyone might remember it (granted this will only apply to we chaps of a certain age).

Ian

Good morning IanH,

I wasn't there in 1978, as I was taking my final OND exams, but was for the Manx.

There were a number of 450 Desmo about at the time, Coburn & Hughes, the importers in Luton had a fair few, along with 250 Desmo's that proved hard to shift. Electrics, finish, not as robust as some Japanese machines if not given some TLC and the warranty work piled up, so that they became a liability to Coburn & Hughes.

Have you tried the UK Ducati Owners Club for a "dating" using the frame and engine numbers?

As I don't have copies, I do not know if Ian Fallon's books have any references that might be of use.

However, I would have thought that the date letter would probably be 'L' ('72-'73), 'M' ('73-''74) or 'N' ('74-'75) and more likely the latter two. Unfortunately the DVLA data in spreadsheet "df_VEH0124" lumps all the Ducati information the might be usefull into the category "Ducati model missing"! I attach an image of the "Sort & Filtered" Excel spreadsheet below.

Furthermore, this thread on the "Ducati.ms" website, with contributions from several contributors to this forum, may be of interest and an aid memoir to them:

Ducati.ms_help-needed-identifying-450-single

Happy rumaging and I hope that you put the miles under the wheels! Miles = Smiles!

Good health, Bill

Thanks Bill,

I'm pretty confident it's a '74 bike as the engine number starts 463 and the frame 702. There are no other singles with those numbers before '74 on this list http://www.hogervorst.tech/ducati-frame ... xmain.html so it all looks right.

I'd just love to track down the original registration number as then I wouldn't have to go through all the 'faff' with the DVLA.

Ian

Hi Ian

the engine number is a 1974 for sure . the crankcase bolts in front and behind the cylinder barrel are spaced further apart that is why they have oval bosses .

Eldert

And due to the different positions of the M8 crankcase bolts and a different location of the oil passage from right to left case the center gasket was also changed, for 250/350 and 450 cases.

cheers Hans