Hi, Can you tell me what the maintenance issues and rough costs would be on a 1991 851 SuperBike. It has 11,000 miles and is in good shape. Before I buy I'm trying to figure out what I'm getting into maintenance and reliability wise. Thanks, Blake
Depends almost entirely on maintenance history. Are service records available for it?Hi, Can you tell me what the maintenance issues and rough costs would be on a 1991 851 SuperBike. It has 11,000 miles and is in good shape. Before I buy I'm trying to figure out what I'm getting into maintenance and reliability wise. Thanks, Blake
Thanks. The pictures of the 851 look no where near the sharp lean that my ZX10R has. But, I'll find out soon.After a ZX10R, a 851 will feel like the handlebars are down near the front axle. You'll get used to it.
Thanks DucVet. I appreciate the advice. Blake (flatop)I put 40,000 miles on my 92 and have done 800 mile days so it will be all that you are used to and what your tolerance for pain is. My 748 is more aggressive with a sit on top feel where I find the 851 to be similar to a 900ss carby with lower bars.
Devils in the details as always i would figure a full service at 8 hours with doing valves, new belts, clutch and brake fluid, fuel filter, plugs fuel injection set up (sync and CO adjust) , chassis tune and oil and filter change. that will get the bike caught up and base lined for a new owner to use the bike.
I did go through a couple rocker arms in 40,000 miles, also mine was a rare one than needed valve seats.
A 91 I would also want to swap the rectifier to a late Hitachi version.
Alternator cover service if never done.
Other than that I do not remember having any issues I did not cause.
check the rear fuel tank mount tab for cracks.
Mine sits in the shop now for me to work towards getting back up and running after other bikes have stolen my attention for the last 18 years. It is a great friend and will not be for sale by me. Best first Ducati? not sure a 748,916,996 and 998 might give you a more classic icon that will probably have better resale. A 900ss carby if you are not bothered by carbs can be a fun and easier intro to work on yourself.
Desmodog
Nice shot of Grattan, that was my first track ever and it was on my 851. I have friends that still rent the track once a year for fun.
Thanks ducvet. I suspect Ferrari is viewed pretty much the same way. Not always the best built car around, but geez, some of them are just drop dead beautiful.Think of this bike as a OLD Ducati built in small numbers by a small group of people. Not just in current age but as a snapshot of where Ducati was at the time. Yes the 916 is the bike that everyone fell in love with and magazines fawned over ( they assumed it was a Japanese bike probably).
But it was the 851 that put Ducati back on the map taking the fight to the 4 cylinder dominated racing world. At first a fantasy and then reality the 851 was responsible for Ducati being taken seriously for the first time in about decade. History and a hand made less production based build is both good and bad. There are many things you will admire and a few that you would find at most anyone's back woods garage. All make them unique and loved.
Are you saying you were training at Ferrari or Ducati? The couple of Ferrari's I have tried to buy, 360 & 430, had such dismal repair records I went screaming away. I mostly run Porches buit right now Aston Martins (DB9) and Bentley's (Continental GT, Muliner) . Strangely, after all the stories of crappy British cars, these have been just about perfect. I was expecting biblical repair issues, but no, just put gas in (lots and lots of gas) and go. Thanks for your post. Blake, Tustin, Ca, USAwhen i was at the factory for a training course in 2002 the teaching tech had been a production line foreman in the early 90's and he'd quit in disgust he said. not really sure what it was that upset him so much, but he didn't think much of the standard of production. i never thought any of them were that bad in a quality sense working on them. maybe it was just the worker ethic?![]()
Ok belter. I just wasn't sure. My Jap bikes have all been flawless. My Harleys have been very good. My Triumph has done great. BUT, I have never run an Eyetalian bike. Italians seem to have a certain 'free spirit' when building Ferrari's, like oh you know, installing the head gaskets backwards, so the engine always overheats and no one knows why. Cute. On the other hand I have been to most of the towns in Italy and the ladies have no such assembly issues.ducati.