first and question about singles ownership.

[zvez]

My first post. I'm in Columbus GA, a longtime ducati fan and been riding since 1996. Have had a bunch of modern ducs, my current rides are ducati streetfighter and a goldwing.

So I'm getting the thought of maybe buying an older duc, looking at maybe a 250 monza or 350 desmo or something else. I'd really like a mechanically sound bike and good cosmetics.

I've found the link here to all the tech manuals and such for the singles which will be very helpful.

A few questions. Can you still buy tires to fit these bikes? How about mechanical parts, how available? How hard to keep these bikes running (I ride to work year round and this would be a neat ride to work sometimes.) Mechanically, how difficult to work on these bikes? I've got a local mechanic but I've no idea if he's got any competence at working on this vintage type bike.
I'm sure most of these questions have been asked and answered a million times before and I'll def. do a search.

BTW> I road the motogiro ditalia in 2003 (on a monster) and what a blast, and hope to do again this year.

Thanks
Chris

[MotoMike]

hi and welcome.

I've owned my 450 for 17 years. a ratty cafe wanna be. Despite that, I'm still quite new at these jewel like motorcycles. Ran mine infrequently for the first year or so and then it went dormant until this year. Since it was running when I put it away, I had to go through and basically clean it up and check the normal things. took the carb off and cleaned it, checked clearances etc. It has been running quite well this summer.

Some like Mick Walker claim they can't or shouldn't be used for basic transportation, but I don't agree. If you are handy, I wager you could use them all the time. I know they used to when they were state of the art. they haven't changed but the state of the art has.

I ended up putting IRC tires on mine. 3.00 x18 front and 3.50 x 18 rear. they certainly look period. In my searching I found stateside tire selections limited to some top shelf tires. Others have pointed out to me here on the site that overseas there's a wider selection and since tires are rugged the shipping often makes it a wash.

a good handful of vendors that have many of the parts we need, but I suppose some of them are reaching unobtainium status.

Good luck
Mike

[JimF]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the group.

Ducati single cylinder bikes are great fun to own and ride. You may have to do some work yourself, but the rewards are worth it and everybody on this list will try to help you.

Like any old bike some parts are easy to get while others aren't, but tires are not an issue. If you search for "tyres" on the internet you'll find the sizes you need.

The search for a single can take awhile, but that can be part of the fun too. Let us know what we can do to help.

Jim

[zvez]

Thanks guys for the great welcome!!

I'll shall spend a lot of time here looking at some of the threads as a great source of info.

I must say this bike : http://www.motoscrubs.com/Legored.htm which belongs to Danil here that's for sale is gorgeous and I'd love to own that.

I have been offered a 69 350 desmo which is fully restored and closer to the money I can spend. I'm pretty handy with bikes but I've no experience with the old stuff. So any engine work would be way over my head.

Does anyone here know of a good mechanic type in the Atlanta GA area?

I know Vicki Smith (I met her at the giro) and we've chatted back and forth over the years. And believe she works with RIch Lambrecht(?).

So anyway lots of looking around to do. The manuals link on this site is incredible and I've startd to download.

Thanks again!
Chris

[JimF]

If Rich Lambrechts is in your range (Ft. Lauderdale Florida) then you have two good choices. There is also Malcolm at Syds in St. Petersburg.

Jim

[ccambern]

I ride mine whenever I can and do use it for transportation, but it isn't like a modern car or bike- I have to stay on top of maintenance all the time. Some stuff is just related to fact that it was recently re-built and is still being sorted, but the reality is that the motor shakes like hell and works stuff loose, kills bulbs, etc. I never ride without a walkaround, and maybe 25% of the time I find something small that needs to be tightened, lubed, or replaced. To me, that's half the fun, but I think you need to be a reasonably competent mechanic, or be willing to become one, to really enjoy these little ducs. The good news is that they're fairly simple, parts are available from several sources, prices are reasonable, and you have a great resource in motoscrubs. So, if you're OK with getting your hands dirty and you're willing to learn (and it sounds like you are), I'd say go for it. If you're more the type of guy who goes to the mechanic when you need the oil changed or a new chain installed, this probably isn't the bike for you.

-Clark

[evil]

I am thinking of selling my '64 250. The rebuilt engine has 100 miles on it.
I am located in WV.

This look like what you are interested in?