Elite 200 question

[wantingaduc]

So after much deliberating and searching, pouring over pictures and articles and going to see as many real bikes as possible,I’ve decided that my first Ducati single will be a 200 Elite. The combination of engine size,the jelly mould tank,rarity,historical significance and the overall perfection of the design just won me over.

So now I’m hoping the folks out here could direct me to the best sources for information about these bikes. Before I even consider trying to find an actual bike to buy I want to learn as much about them as I can so I can be as educated as possible about it. Books,articles, web sites,firsthand experience,it’s all good and I’m looking forward to working my way through all of it in order to get myself up to speed on them.

jimi

[JimF]

We had one listed not long ago on the for sale pages. I can't tell you much about them, I think I have seen one in my entire life and it was on display at VMD in Ohio when Ducati was the featured Marquee.

I can tell you that I wholeheartedly agree with your choice, and while I appreciate your wanting to learn about them so as to make an educated purchase, so few of them ever come up for sale that you may never have a choice between two. Your choice may come down to buying the very next one on the market, or waiting another year or more for another to come up for sale.

Meanwhile, the prices will surely rise.

I do wish you luck, and I think what you are doing here, networking, is the best way to get an early or private line on an Elite that might be offered for sale.

Jim

[DanM]

Michaels Motorcycles had this bike on eBay a couple times recently and it didn't sell. I don't remember what it bid to or if there was any reserve. Looks like they've sold it now.

http://michaelsmotorcycles.com/1959Ducati200SS312.html

[blaat!]

A relatively complete one showed up on eBay a few months ago. It was in pieces on a pallette and sold out of NH. I recall the final selling price was somewhere between $5k and $6k. Good luck.
-Jim

[double diamond]

If your purpose right now is to educate yourself on the 200 Elite, get a factory service manual. This will provide a fairly detailed document of specifications and the difference between the Elite and other 200 models. An owner’s manual could offer some valuable details as well. The Mick Walker buyer’s guide on Ducati singles has some limited information on the 200 models although this book is based on the GB market for the most part. Tom Bailey’s book has some useful information on the US market 200 models. The 200 Elite is pretty rare in the US, more common in Europe. Seems to me there was one in the Saltarelli collection that was auctioned last month. They turn up on various European ebay sites and other vintage sites. The “Michael’s Motorcyles” 200 looks to me like the George Vincensi 200 SS sold at the Woods Daytona auction this year. Motoitalianony.com has some 200 content. There are a few 200 Elites on the west coast that turn up in shows from time to time and I’m sure they do elsewhere so you should be able to see one in person or connect with someone who has one in a collection. Matt

[blaat!]

Oooh... I found a link to it:

http://chasingmotorcycles.com/2012/01/1 ... ati-elite/

Of course eBay doesn't keep expired listings around very long anymore.

[DewCatTea-Bob]

" I found a link to it: "

____ It claims to be a "1966 Ducati Elite", so if that's actually true, then that should make it a Mototrans-version, cuz I'm pretty-sure that Ducati itself discontinued the 200-motor by the year after the 250-engine started into production,, or at least, I'm quite-sure that no newer 200-models were imported into the USA after 1962.


Duke-Cheers,
-Bob

[DanM]

You should subscribe to Throttle Yard's email (it's free). Readers notify them of bikes they ran across during their internet searches and T.Y. puts a picture and the link in their email.

http://throttleyard.com/

[ducwiz]

FYI: A workshop manual is available here: http://s5.histats.com/stats/r.php?104172&100&58&urlr=&www.rpw.it/Files/Ducati_Motoleggere_Monoalbero_ManOff.pdf

Hans

[blaat!]

Here y'go: eBay#150837002485