Anyone fancy a Ducati restoration?

Number 6

Number 6

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I'm tempted to have a bid, it's the only way I could ever afford one. Did these not have fibreglass tanks? Both for sale at Bonhams next month along with a Vincent Black Shadow, also fire damaged.

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1972 750 Sport1972-ducati-750-sport-691c669f40ac1.jpg
1974 750SS with Isle of Man history.


1974-ducati-750ss-691c6a04441ed.jpg
 
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The tyres look to have faired well under the circumstances.

I’m sure these will look lovely when finished but going to take a huge amount of work/time.
 
A real beauty (in it’s day) and from the estate of Alain Du Cardenet.

Classic prices have bombed somewhat over the last 18 months, but in 2022, a Green frame sold for £172k. I reckon this one will generate phenomenal interest.

However, there is nothing as expensive as a cheap Ducati bevel!

IMG_3372.jpg
 
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That'll polish out. A bit of T-Cut and a bit of Solvol and it'll be fine.
 
You will need VERY deep pockets. Ducati renovations do not come cheap. But certainly an interesting challenge.
 
Number 6 said:
I'm tempted to have a bid, it's the only way I could ever afford one. Did these not have fibreglass tanks? Both for sale at Bonhams next month along with a Vincent Black Shadow, also fire damaged.

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1972 750 SportView attachment 460456
1974 750SS with Isle of Man history.


View attachment 460457
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If it would have had its fibreglass tank on I recon there would be little left of the container they were stored in. 🤣🤣
 
Restoration projects are not a route to a cheap motorcycle! What you need to find is some sucker whose done it (ie me) and looking to sell.

I’d love to have a crack at something like this, but it’s beyond my wallet.
 
Lord Snooty said:
What's happened to it, has it been in a fire?
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Apparently it was inside a locked container - the fire was outside. Must have been a tad warm, but I guess it depends on what else was in said container, given the tyre condition looks better than one might expect.

However, my amateur metallurgy suggests this could easily become a resto too far, but I'm sure some brave soul will give it a try.
 
Not quite the same thing but does anyone else remember this thread? - I was absolutely hooked from day one.

ebbo

Thread 'Ducati 250 Desmo Rebuild'

I've always wanted a Desmo but never thought I'd get my hands on one the prices they are, so when I saw an ad in Squires Cafe for a 1974 Desmo in bits I went all of a dither. I thought about it over the weekend, couldn't sleep, then arranged to take a look at it all toady. It is a proper mess alright and some are bits missing. It was taken apart 40 years ago for a refurb that was never finished, hopefully I can bring it back.

I don't know how long this will take as I've never done anything like this before, but theses are basically simple machines, right? (well, apart from the Desmo bit)...

Finished just in time for............................COVID..... :blast
 
steve hughes said:
If it would have had its fibreglass tank on I recon there would be little left of the container they were stored in. 🤣🤣
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I believe that fibreglass tanks were illegal in the UK at that time so UK supplied bikes came with steel tanks. Maybe elsewhere too - I know of a French registered '73 Sport that came with a steel tank. As you might imagine, original steel tanks now as rare as rocking horse poo and priced accordingly if they ever turn up
Years ago I found one installed on a Triumph, disguised under a hand brushed coat of hideous dark green paint. Bought it for a song - and lost it when I left it to be painted with a dealer, pending other bodywork being sent on. In the meantime the dealer went to the wall and my tank disappeared.
 
You are right in the illegality of non metal tanks in the uk…
Only changed in about 1992. …..I could be a year out on the year tho…
 
Must be utterly soul destroying for the owner when something like that happens , I know someone that had similar thing with a very nice recently restored Lancia Delta Integrale .

He completely lost interest even though the car was mainly external heat damage and internal heavy smoke damage and just took the insurance payout , did not exercise his option to keep the salvage as he could not face doing another restoration
 
I wonder what became of the vehicles affected by that horrible Bicester Motion fire, where 3 lost their lives.

In the chatter about a build back better plan, we seem to have lost track of what caused the fire as well as the inventory - maybe I've missed reports somewhere?
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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