Where to go for info? - Ducati.ms

NikosF · Jul 24th, 2011, 7:56 pm

I've suddenly got the bug to get a classic Ducati, but don't know that much about them. the idea of a single is appealing. I don't mind a project or complete.

I know the modern ones (and have a 2009 Monster 1100S) and no stranger to older Italian machines (I've got a 1967 Alfa Romeo)

Where is the best place to learn about these? Recommended websites, forums, or books?

Anyone selling anything interesting? I'm in the Chicago area.

Thanks
Nick

DesmoDog · Jul 25th, 2011, 7:55 am

It's kind of a chicken before the egg thing. There are forums and a mail list you can frequent but until you have a bike the info probably won't mean much to you. But until you know something it's hard to figure out what you want.

Motoscrubs.com has a forum
Bevelheaven.com has a section of a forum for the singles.
Bevelheads at micapeak.com is a mail list

This book has some interesting info on singles:

You can also get it from Bevel Heaven or Amazon

Amazon.com: DUCATI SINGLES FIRST PERSON: Thomas P Bailey: Books

In general, just starting out, you'll probably pick up a ~'66 250 Monza and go from there. Scramblers are relativley common too but depending on what you want to do with it I'd say look for a Monza and jump in.

Macdesmo · Jul 25th, 2011, 5:11 pm

Nick,
There is nothing better than having a look at the real thing if you can. Contact a club or go to a concourse where you can have a look and a listen to a range of Ducatis as well as a talk to owners. I have restored 3 singles but they are too small for me so I have just kept the 900SS, so you need to see what you like and can afford.
DD thanks for the book info!
Ian

NikosF · Jul 26th, 2011, 8:01 am

@DesmoDog - thanks for the book info. Looks like a great place for me to start.

Nothing like diving in and getting started I guess.

I should check out a concours if I can find one around here.

Thanks again.

Monty777 · Jul 27th, 2011, 11:33 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikosF

I've suddenly got the bug to get a classic Ducati, but don't know that much about them. the idea of a single is appealing. I don't mind a project or complete.

I know the modern ones (and have a 2009 Monster 1100S) and no stranger to older Italian machines (I've got a 1967 Alfa Romeo)

Where is the best place to learn about these? Recommended websites, forums, or books?

Anyone selling anything interesting? I'm in the Chicago area.

Thanks
Nick

As well as doing book research you could do a lot worse than join the Bevelheads list-loads of the guys have singles and will give you plenty of help-they may even be able to put you onto a bike. Other than that Ebay and Craigs list are good places to look.

John

byoung · Jul 28th, 2011, 12:31 pm

If you have any interest in the classic superbikes ducati851and888.com has a ton of info on these.

Ricoyam · Jul 30th, 2011, 1:04 am

+1 on Bevelheads.
There are many variations on the Ducati single theme. 4T and 2T ranging from 50cc on up to 450cc. The Mototrans bikes that were built under license in Spain. Condors, Swiss built military and police bikes besides all the various models actually built by Ducati. Your head will be spinning.
Probably the easiest model to find will be a 250 Scrambler. Not a lot of Desmos coming up for sale and probably not worth the prices they demand unless you just have to have a Desmo. The widecase models have stouter gearboxes but the narrowcase will be worth a bit more, generally.