New to Ducati Singles - Intro

[guzzijon]

Hi Matt,

Wow, thanks for all the information about these bikes! That's part of the fun for my wife and I, doing detective work, learning and trying to unravel the mysteries.

Here are some pictures, they are very rough. I go back and forth between wondering what I've gotten myself into and being excited about the projects.

[Mark]

Welcome to the rewarding world of frustration. Such a simple machine can bring so much joy and at the same time make you want to rip your hair out. They are fun but finicky. This is by far the best forum for info and ideas. Welcome again, can't wait to watch the progress of your projects.

[blaat!]

Very nice. Similar condition to mine when I got it:

download/file.php?id=1032&mode=view

Lots of penetrating oil, patience, and heat applied judiciously. If you plan to rebuild the engines, there are a few areas that are tricky - left hand threads, bearing carrier cover that needs to be knocked out from the far side, etc.

I found this book really helpful:

"DUCATI FACTORY WORKSHOP MANUAL: 160cc, 250cc & 350cc NARROW CASE, SINGLE CYLINDER, OHC MODELS". It is available on Amazon and eBay too.

The spare parts catalogs with exploded views and parts lists are on the Motoscrubs tech page.

Most of the parts were used across various models over many years, so pretty much all the parts are still floating around. You just gotta keep asking around, checking eBay, etc. They all show up eventually.

The date stamp on the forks (when you get the front wheels off) will probably shed some light on the year.

Welcome and good luck with them!

-Jim

[sebouh]

Welcome,

My deepest condolences for acquiring this Terminal Disease. It is so much fun.

That roundish tank on the early scrambler was only used for a few years. Does anyone know if it the same as the round monza / sebring tank or was it unique to the scrambler? Does anyone have one laying around?

Sebouh

[double diamond]

Jon,

You may find some reassurance in the knowledge that your wife is down with your folly. Or is it the other way around? The early scrambler tank is not the same as the round style Monza/Sebring tank. As far as the 250cc bikes, it's unique to the the first series scrambler. It does look very similar to the 200 motocross tank but not sure if they're exactly the same. It's this tank that makes this bike worth restoring to original. The rest of the missing parts can be had eventually (maybe not the taillight...) but that tank is difficult to come by. Matt

[guzzijon]

Jon,

You may find some reassurance in the knowledge that your wife is down with your folly. Or is it the other way around?

It's the other way around! This whole work on a project idea was hers! I saw the bikes at the swapmeet and didn't think too much other than, "hmmmmm, those are kinda interesting...", then on the way home I called my wife and told her about them and she wouldn't let up until I brought them home!

That's good info about the gas tank, thanks. I should probably take it inside and get it out of the weather.