Identification

[plahiff]

Hi
I've been offered a Ducati Single to buy but know very little about them ( I own a couple of twins ). Bike has been described as a Mach1 but after reading some forums I'm now a little confused. The bike is as follows : Engine DM250M1 but has magneto,curved kickstarter, black frame with flat seat, SSI 29 carb, Veglia Tach, 150mph speedo and has top mounted handlebars. From what iv'e read it's not a mach 1 as it's has no battery/alternator and not drop bars. Also from what i've read Mark3's had engines stamped DM250M3. I dont know how much difference this makes to the value or these bikes but any information would be greatly appreciated

[Rick]

Not many 50 year old motorcycles have their original parts or paint, so the top mounted bars and black frame don't make it a MK3 any more than clipons and a red frame would make it a Mach1. Some clear, big photos would be the best way to get the experts here to help identify it. It's not that hard to buy the parts to convert some models into another model, so you may never know with certainty what it was when new- it doesn't mean much unless you're spending lots of money for what's being represented as a real Mach1, then a chain of custody paper trail is your best insurance.
I'm not an expert, but did find out this week that a Mach1 should have a number stamped into the frame backbone- on the right side near the battery tray- if you even have a battery tray, and of course, a number can be stamped into any frame.
If you send some pictures there are people here that can help.
Rick

[plahiff]

no 1.jpg

Thanks Rick photos are still on ebay here
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/150737640919 ... 500wt_1268
cheers
paul

[Rick]

That's a really nice motorcycle. Looks like a Mark3 to me, but again, I'm not an expert in these things. Someone borrowed my copy of Tom Bailey's book, 'Ducati Singles', but I'm almost certain I remember that some Mark 3s had the M1 stamped engine. Baruzzo rims and butted spokes would be another indication that it wasn't a bunch of Ebay parts assembled into a replica, but it sure looks genuine to me, I do remember Tom Bailey writing in his book that he was irritated when someone would convert an early Mark3 into a Mach1- he thought the Mark3 was a more 'important' motorcycle.
It's Superbowl football today in the US, so some of the US experts may not be staring at their computers today.
Rick

[double diamond]

This is a 1966 or 1967 US spec Mk3. In the US market, it’s not unusual to find a Mk3 with cases stamped M1 but with the “magneto” ignition (rather than battery type found on a Mach 1). All the other components on this particular bike are consistent with this specification. Looks like the frame VIN badge is missing, which would have been useful in identification. What year is indicated on the sales invoice? MW

[plahiff]

selling as a 1966. As i'm new to ducati singles what would be a rough idea of it's value compared to a Mach1 ? paul

[JimF]

I would say equal value to the Mach 1.

Save for the battery-less ignition all the components are identical.

You certainly have the large valve head, the Dell-Orto SSI29 carb, the M1/M3 tank with the cut-out, the Veglia tach, the rear set pegs and linkages on both sides and the infamous curved kick-start lever, the M1/M3 front fender... these components if sold separately would raise thousands of dollars (but please don't do that.)

That yellowed breather hose... Don't throw that away - wipe off any muck on it and you'll find the "Pirelli" name stamped in it.

Its certainly got the 150 mph speedometer too.

That is a diamond in the rough you have there. One very valuable motorcycle.

Jim

[Bevel bob]

My only advice would be, at all costs restore parts rather than replace, and if you replace parts ,keep the old , someone will want them ,possibly you!.

[Rick]

Paul,
I looked at the Australian Ebay auction in your link- struck me as odd that it sold for $12,500 January 22nd and is now being offered to you. Maybe I'm too cynical, but the $12,500 bid was placed by a bidder with no feedback, it may not be a realistic indicator of the bike's value.
The next highest bid was $8550, and that bidder raised his own bid, the next bidder down the list was $7600, so I think it's fair to say the current market in Australia would be around $8000. With a current engine rebuild I'm pretty sure someone in the US would pay $8000, but doubt it would bring $12,500.
Of course, just a guess on my part.
Rick

[Bevel bob]

I would be in a bit of a dilema , restore as a black framed American Bike or a red framed Mach1 to a European spec, I know which looks the best --RED, but i would also want to ride it and civilize it with battery ignition. Glad its not my worry!!.