1966 Monza 250

[marret]

Hi all. I recently purchased a 1966 Ducati Monza 250. The bike is mostly complete. I'm going to go through the whole bike over time, this will be a long term project with much work deferred until next winter. The bike is currently in PA and we are moving to Germany in June.

I plan to fix the tank and redo the wheels first.

I have been pondering the wheels and whether to re-plate or powdercoat. Anyone have thoughts on this or anything else?

Thanks, Chris

Below are a few photos to start:

[krupp13]

Great Bike!!!! I recall that one on eBay possibly. You are starting off with a great project. I would definitely 'replate' the rims. No question they look better and will hold up better. There are quite a few good platers out there and I can send you some names if you need. Turnaround time is relatively good and your rims look like there is not much rust, so I would expect some great results.

Good luck with your project, it is a sickness.

[SP3]

The seller had it listed as a '63 or 4 if I recall. I messaged him to tell him it was a '66 or 7 and that the toolbox and seat were not correct. He did add that to his advert but it does look pretty complete and that is the first battle. Keep us updated with your progress.

[marret]

Thanks for the information.

It was the one on ebay. It is titled as a 1966 and based on engine number, that appears to be correct based on the bevel heaven list. I had a back and forth with the seller about it before bidding.

I've ordered spoke kits from Buchanan's and have lined up replating.

Going to try to fix the tank. We'll see.

It is running. It appears to be only missing the cover over the ignition switch and boot for the air cleaner, and as noted by SP3, the seat and tool box are not correct, but fully functional and in good shape.

I'll be looking for a replacement seat and tool box.

Definitely will be updating this post as the project progresses.

[SP3]

I tried to explain the year to the seller this way: the 'sqaure' styling was a two-year thing - '66 and 7. Which is more likely, that everything except the toolbox and seat are correct or that everything except those items is incorrect?

Further, unless the bike had its original frame tag with both the frame and engine #'s stamped I wouldn't even use the engine # on its own for determining the bike's age. All clues though and cool bikes the singles were and are.

As for a correct seat, read the thread I started a little over a week ago here:

http://www.ducati.ms/forums/17-chit-...-confound.html

The seat is still up for bids, follow the link within the thread.

Seat tag, referred to in the seat listing is here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

[marret]

It does not have the original frame tag.

Someone else told me there were no frame numbers on bikes imported into the USA by the Berliner brothers, the Ducati distributers at the time.

The engine number seems to be right for a 66 and most of the body work matches that. It is titled as a 66. Now, it may be a different year, but I believe it is more likely that a couple parts are wrong then everything else wrong. Of course I have no way of knowing for sure at this point and there is no telling what's been done.

Thanks for all.

[Macdesmo]

Replating is the ideal way to go but my experiences with doing this ended up exposing rust holes that rendered the rims useless. Best of luck with the resto.
Ian

[carter6156]

I always liked the Ducati singles

[marret]

Removed the wheels and tank and took to a restorer for repair. Looks like the tank is repairable. I'll go with alloy rims if the rims end up being not repairable.

Photos:

[marret]

The tank has been cleaned up, paint and rust removed:





Knew there was brazing on one side. Didn't know about the other. Outside of the brazing and holes, the tank cleaned up well.

Plan is to repair the holes and coat the tank.

The rims are at the plater now. Still waiting to see how that will go.

Looking at red for the tank and sliver for the other body parts.