Time for an update...
The blue Regolarita is complete and ready for the road, following a slightly more in depth restoration that originally planned.
The conrod big end bearing and bearing surface were in rough shape, having been exposed to mouse urine; after mice made themselves a home in the airbox and carb inlet. At the time, nobody had a replacement conrod, so a local engine shop found a replacement conrod. All other engine internals were in good shape, so the engine was put back together.
The swingarm shaft was seized into the swingarm. After many days of fighting it, it came loose... showing severe corrosion on the shaft and bushings. I had a new shaft machined, and replaced the bushings.
Rear sprockets are NLA, so I had one machined.
The super-cool 1970's metal flake fiberglass tank was rotten, mostly on the bottom due to fuel being left in it. I rebuilt the fiberglass base/bottom, retaining the exterior metal flake. Once the fiberglass was repaired, I sealed the entire tank with aircraft fuel tank sealer after cleaning with a variety of solvents, degreasers and soaps. I let the tank dry for months before applying the sealer. The sealer was very thin... almost water consistency. I thought this was the best option to soak into the fiberglass fibers exposed because of the fuel. Multiple layers of sealer were applied, building up a thick layer, and sealing the fiberglass. The tank will be drained after every ride... hopefully preserving the tank forever.
Front and rear Marzocchi forks and shocks were rebuilt.
The plastic airbox/battery box was cracked and broken in multiple locations, so it had to be rebuilt using a two part epoxy.
The front fender/mudguard was broken, so I purchased a vintage style replacement that is very close to original.
The rear fender/mudguard was also broken in multiple spots, and finding a replacement was near impossible. I contacted a local autobody shop supplier about repairing plastic, and they supplied me a two part epoxy used for repairing plastic car bumpers. I used the two-part epoxy in conjunction with fiberglass cloth to repair/replace broken pieces. This worked very well, and actually appears stronger than the original fender, which was really important around the mounting points.
Frame repainted, engine polished/blasted/scuffed as required, rims polished, spokes nuts and bolts re-plated with bright zinc and the electrical harness rebuilt.
Lot of little odds and were sourced from Classic Ducati in the UK... thanks to them for their stash of stuff. Coincidentally, they now have a conrod for the bike... a little too late for me. Everything else for the bike came from all over Europe through fleabay or direct purchases.
I've got three things to complete; the chain guard needs a repair (it's with my welder/fabricator now), the original sump guard is long gone (I will fabricate one out of fiberglass next summer) and the spark arrestor is missing from the expansion chamber (a friend and I will fabricate this item over the winter).
So I've got another rare one on the road. Thanks to all of those folks that have helped directly and indirectly (I'm a lurker on the site, so your posts on other bikes/repair techniques/parts sources has likely helped me with mine).
Mike
?! But, FWIW:
