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About Me

Adam

I like turtles. And Tacos. And Whiskey.

akress.com

Monoster

New High Score

Some progress. Got a new front wheel. Brakes feel ok. Time to push it a bit.

Laps around the hood

This is totally safe, right? Two flat tires and shitty brakes. But the chain is on and we need to test shit!

New new seat

Got the seat from http://www.guzzino.com one of the best places for old duc parts.

Some color and a new old tank!


Tanked


Revving the piss out of it.

Just really wanted to push it a bit. It's burning a bit of oil yet. I'm not sure if that's a valve stem seal or bad guide. Most likely the guide.

New main jet

Swapped out the main jet that in the carb when I bought it.

Idle

Full video of the first time this guy idled on its own.

Title and Lic, p 6


Brakes and Controls

Got some new old brakes from the ebays. $15. They're frozen solid. They'll need a proper cleaning and seals replaced. But they look ok and should work just fine.


Round rolly things

Amazon has all the bearings. Any standard bearing is pretty easily found and primed right to your house.

Also got the case back from the welder. It looks great. I need to face off the surface and drill and tap the post that will hold the clutch engage arm.


And some real bars

Ordered these some some random website for $15 or so. I like them. And the Blue grips are staying.


Cleaning some red bikes.

A photo posted by Adam K (@a_kress) on

And the frame stands on its own. Wonder how long it's been. #ducati #backfromthedead

A photo posted by Adam K (@a_kress) on

Standing on it's own

Found a front wheel on eBay a few weeks back.


Cleaning some red bikes.

A photo posted by Adam K (@a_kress) on

And the frame stands on its own. Wonder how long it's been. #ducati #backfromthedead

A photo posted by Adam K (@a_kress) on

A photo posted by Adam K (@a_kress) on

Been on pause for a couple months

Got some legs. Forks from an 86 or so XY600. They seem some to be in really good shape. They have a pretty nasty grease smell though but that shouldn't be a problem. Paid $20 for these at Mid-Ohio Vintage days. Also scored a triple clamp off the ebay's for $5. I'm looking for a top clamp but there are a few on ebay now so I'm not worried. Next up is a front tire and front axel. Rolling chassisisis.

A photo posted by Adam K (@a_kress) on

Title and Lic, p 3

The interwebs to the rescue! Title part 3

Sooooo.. I guess you can just fax South Dakota some info and they'll send you a tag and title.

ADVRider says it's true.. then it must be true! I think I'm going to take The Vermont route. I will need a real plate to drive the thing on the road.

It does look very promising that I can get a title.


Title and Lic, p 2

OSP - you kill me!

Talked to Trooper Coffee Jacked today. It looks like I need a court order just to be able to have OSP inspect the machine to issue a new title.

I'm talking to some friends to find out exactly what I need make this as smooth as possible.

Did some digging too.. Bevel Heaven has big list of serial numbers of singles. Looks like they've added mine as well. But from going over some of the numbers it looks like on the US bikes the frame numbers DO NOT match the engine numbers. This is gonna be fun to explain.

I did get some good bits of info from this copper though:

  • In Ohio, I have to get a Court Ordered Title. I confirmed this with my friends at NODT
  • They look for three ID numbers on the vehicle. He said "he could not divulge that info" when asked what three numbers. 1. Frame. 2. Engine. 3.??? 4. Profit.
  • He said if they can't determine what YEAR the vehicle was manufactured it will never get a title.

Just for fun, I'm going to call this guy back in a few days and ask the exact same questions to see how his answers to my questions evolve. I also need to look to see if getting an Ohio title is the way to go. If it's going to be easier to get an out of state title then transfer the title to Ohio that may be the way to go.

Two links for good reference: The Ducati Single wiki page.
And Berliner Motor Corporation. These are the guys that imported the early Ducati's into the US.


Title and License, part 1

Step one of trying to get a title and license for this monster.

Stopped into the local BMV to renew my plates and get a new ID. I asked the nice lady if she would be able to answer any questions about getting a title for an old rebuilt bike. Said said to stop by the Ohio Title Agency conveintly right next door. She said "they'll tell you that you need to stop over here first, don't let them." Pretty rad advice.

I got my stuff, left the BMV, and stopped in at the Title Agency. The first lady in there told me I need to go right back over there and pointed to the license agency. I explained that I would need a title for them to help in hearty smart ass tone. What a gem. She then explained that I would need to take the frame with proof of purchase to an Ohio State High Patrol to be inspected. She didn't have the number of the office I needed to call but I should be able to find it on the internet. Guess working on Saturday was not her favorite thing to do.

Out in my car I called the local OSP office.
OSP: Hello.
Me: Hi, I've got some questions about getting a ti...
OSP: IS THIS AN EMERGENCY?!
Me: No.
OSP: PLEASE HOLD.
5 mintes later
OSP: OK, WHAT WAS YOUR QUESTION?!
Me: I just need to know how to get a title on vehicle that has no VIN. It's an old motorcycle from 1959 or mid sixties.
OSP: NO VIN? HOLD ON, I'LL TRANSFER YOU. STAY ON THE LINE. DON'T HANG UP. DID YOU HEAR ME? OK, STAY ON THE LINE.
Me: Yup, OK.
>> Transfered to some other office.
Me: Hi, I've some..
OSP2: EMERGENCY?!
Me: Nope.
OSP2: Hang on....... ..... .... .... What can I do for you?
Me: I just have a question about getting a title for an old import motorcycle that has no vin on the frame..
OSP2: Call back Monday after 7:30.
Me: What number do I call?
OSP2: You called me.
Me: I was transferred from the Stark OSP.
OSP2: Ok, 216-216-1677


A video posted by Adam K (@a_kress) on

It lives!

And it starts up! Color me fucking excited! Got an oil filter in the mail so I put some liquid gasket on the timing & clutch covers and filled it with oil. Following a guide i reset the ignition timing. It was spot on from what the guide said. I do need a new AAU. It's close to dead. I put some new gaskets on the carb and filled up the little gas tank that I fixed up. After a few kicks the garage just smelled of gas. I could see it blowing the charge out the carb on the compression stroke. I pulled off both rocker covers to check the valve clearances. Exhaust was good, a little loose. The intake was a bit tight. I loosened it up. And without the covers back on the bike I tried to kick it over and it was 100% tougher to kick over. The intake cover was preventing the valve from fully seating. A squirt of starter fluid and a couple kicks and it fired right up. Then died. It sounded pretty good. No horrible metal on metal, grinding, or anything alarming. It was spewing oil up out top of the motor. So I can see the oil pump is working. The oil filter is leaking too. It's not in good shape but should hold it over until I can get a good one. It ran on its own for maybe five minutes in total. I'm pretty confident that it's turn out ok

A video posted by Adam K (@a_kress) on

Found a headlight


Clip Springs Installed


Exhaust

Exhaust

Exhaust showed up. It came with the exhaust nut too. Both are in really good shape. A bit dirty but perfect shape.
Exhaust
More Points

More Points

Points condenser. Mid-Ohio Vintage days was last week and I really didn't fin too much. But I did get a couple of needed items. The points condenser was cheap, $15. I also found somecoils for the correct stator. I need to find the back plate for these to work. I'm still working on getting the electronic unit so I really won't need the current flywheel and coils. I also picked up a side stand kickstand. It's not bad. The paint that was on it is now gone. It looked pretty rough.
More Points

Well at least they cleaned up nice but they're going right back to eBay. Wrong size. #ducati

A post shared by Adam K (@a_kress) on

Valves!

I was excited to finally get these. Too bad they're the wrong size! Damn it! Oh well. They cleaned up pretty well. I put them on eBay to finance the correct set.

Scratch that. They fit just fine. i blame the beverages in the background. All I need to do was remove the rockers and slide them all the way in. I also had the adjustment screws too far in. I did a quick lap job on them and the surfaces seem pretty good on the valve face and the seat. Once the I get the correct rings I can do a compression test. Getting pretty excited. It's going to run or explode soon!

Well at least they cleaned up nice but they're going right back to eBay. Wrong size. #ducati

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Frame Probs



Gear lever & flywheel

Gear lever & flywheel

Both were one bid auctions. And cheap. $10 each. The fly wheel was a big score. There was two on ebay at the same time. One sold for $90 and this one wasn't even bid on. I though what the hell and threw $10 on it thinking there was no chance of winning. Sure as shit I won it. I'm running out of parts to buy and I'll have to actually put this thing together soon.
Gear lever & flywheel
First Gear Bush

First Gear Bush

This was a bit of an odd one. I found the part from a google search that linked back to an eBay auction. Shockingly the auction didn't have a correct description but the part looked correct and had the correct dimensions.
First Gear Bush
Pressure plate & Steering head cups

Pressure plate & Steering head cups

The bearing race cups came from eBay. For a pretty good price, $25. The pressure place I was only $1 plus shipping. Another one bid auction. Starting to really think there are a couple sellers on eBay that bid up the shit out of their items. No proof just a thought. The pressue plate is going to get polished. It will never be seen but it'll be clean.
Pressure plate & Steering head cups
Valve adjusters

Valve adjusters

Needed these! I've been watching an eBay auction for a set of them. They wanted $15 or so each. Thought that was a bit steep. Checked back a few days ago and saw they were reduced to $6 each. Perfect. I bought two of them. Got some M8 nuts for them at Lowes.
Valve adjusters
Fourth Gear

Fourth Gear

The 2nd to last piece of the transmission! Found this from a guy in the UK. Showed up in perfect condition with the bushing. I got super lucky on this. I don't think I'll ever come across just this one gear without buying the whole transmission. I still need the bushing for 1st gear.
Fourth Gear
Points Plate

Points Plate

I got the points plate really cheap off eBay. Like $12. I has everything but a fresh condenser. The spings and clip will need replaced but I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to use it. I'm looking into an electronic ignition instead. Something similar to this thing here. I've read some good and bad about the electronic ignitions but I think I'll give one a shot.
Points Plate
Rear wheel

Rear wheel

Santa found me a rear wheel and tire! This one is from a 160 Monza JR. It doesn't fit this swing arm correctly but I'm not going to use a 250 swing arm for this bike so this one will get the job done. The brake seems to function properly. It'll need new pads. I'll also need to replace the bearings and the sprocket. Thanks Santa!!
Rear wheel
Crank, meet motor

Crank, meet motor

Here's the crank installed. I've been told there are a couple different cranks. This one fit right in this engine case and everything still spins freely. I'm fairly sure this is the correct crank for this motor.
Crank, meet motor
Unicorn brains, err, the Crank!

Unicorn brains, err, the Crank!

Finally got a decent crank. I got this one off ebay. It was a one bid auction. I could't believe no one else bid on it! All the other auctions for cranks went for stupid prices. STUPID prices. And no one bid on this one but me. I'm really starting to thing there are some places that bid up the stuff they're selling. I've only seen a few cranks from the same sellers in the last year. Most all needed to be rebuilt with new bearings and have sold for 3 times what I paid for this one. This one, the bearings are in good shape. There is no play in it all. All the threads are good. I'm happy. This engine might just work soon!
Unicorn brains, err, the Crank!
Clutch plates

Clutch plates

Haven't found anything on ebay for a while. I decided to 3d print some clutch plates just for shits and giggles. I made them in FreeCAD and printed them at a local maker place. Damn near a perfect fit. I did have to file down the outter tabs just a bit. I'll use the same files to CNC come real plates. Sadly the 3d ones just won't work.
Clutch plates
Bevel bucket

Bevel bucket

This was from ebay. You don't see these too often outside an engine case sale. Paid $20 or so for it. I was pretty happy because buying the entire case is kinda pricey. Both bearings are good.
Bevel bucket
And some more

And some more

Took the Amal to the wheel. It turned out ok. Shined up nice. But there are a lot of different surfaces on it and it was a bit tricky to work on my little polisher.
And some more
More polish

More polish

Did a quick polish on the bevel tube. It really didn't need sanding, just a polish. It cleaned up better than I expected.
More polish
Clutch hub

Clutch hub

Got the clutch hub off ebay. It's in pretty good shape. There's nothing special about it. The motor is getting pretty heavy now. I used to just pick it up and move it around when I needed too.. now it's "don't use your back!". I also got a rubber gasket between the carb and the head from Guzzinos.
Clutch hub
Carbs are good!

Carbs are good!

Mid-Ohio Vintage days was kinda empty this year (2014). We went on Sunday and it looked pretty cleaned out. I was really looking for a crank. No luck. I did pick up a couple carbs for next to nothing. I bought a Delorto and an Amal. I ended up cleaning up the Delorto and selling it on ebay to finance close to the last five of six purchases I made off ebay. I was pretty happy with that. I figured I'd keep the Amal and use that for now or until I stick the fuel injection kit on it. It looks like a real motor now.
Carbs are good!
Upper bevel gears

Upper bevel gears

These came from ebay as well. They were a 'matching set'. They're not shimmed correctly and don't really spin freely yet. Behind the facing gear I did get a bearing from, of all places, Amazon. Great prices and shipping in two days. It's hard to beat that. And the bolts holding the bevel tower to the head aren't the right ones.
Upper bevel gears
Effing Transmission

Effing Transmission

After figuring out how that thing goes back together.. it's fucking missing 4th gear! The shaft on with the clutch basket. There are only three gears on there. There is supposed to be one more. After that auction for the 'Complete Transmission' and all the bonus parts that I got with it... it's fucking missing 4th gear! Damn it. And there are some bits that came in the box that aren't Ducati parts at all. I've no idea what they're for.
Effing Transmission
Complete 4-speed transmission

Complete 4-speed transmission

This was a huge eBay score. I was waiting for a transmission to pop up for sometime. Most all of them had been 5-speeds for 250's but no 4-speeds. The image on eBay showed something similar to this pic. There were a few more things in this box that just the tranny. I did notice the lower bevel gear, which was going for some cash on it's own. The clutch basket. And the points gear. I paid about $100 for all of this and the transmission alone was worth that. I was pretty stoked I won this one.
Complete 4-speed transmission
Piston

Piston

Got a piston on ebay. It was covered in gunk. I didn't get a pic of it but here it is after it's been cleaned up. Scraped, sanded, and polished. No rings yet though. I'll need those.
Piston
Dead metal

Dead metal

Here is a close up of the down tubes on the subframe. The pink is body filler. There are the areas that will be cut out.
Dead metal
Frame

Frame

I got a frame! This is from ebay and I'll tell you, if you ever plan on shipping a frame on ebay find a box first the start your auction. This one was shipped pretty shittily. Anyway, this was sold to me as a 1959 Ducati 200 frame. I'm pretty sure that is accurate. It's in rough shape. There is corrosion on this thing that makes it looks like some asshat had in a fish tank for years. However, the important parts are in pretty good shape. The lower front motor mount is ok. The rear motor mount will need some reinforcement. The headstock is in great shape. The bad parts, the down tubes on the subframe are not good and will be cut off. The foot pegs have been re-welded by someone who was learning to weld with a my-first-sony welder. The passenger foot peg mount is bent on the left side and really corroded on the right side. The swing arm is not usable at all. That may turn to dust soon. I've already had a few emails from people who have told me I'm insane for wanting to 'cut that thing up'. I've offered to trade it but as soon as I send a few other pics of the frame I don't hear anything back. There is still some of the original gold-ish paint on the headstock. Someone at one pointed painted black over top of that. Then some genius used body filler to fill in all of the corrosion.
Frame
Rocker pins

Rocker pins

Here I have the rocker pins installed. There is a washer and spring washers that go on either side of the rocker to keep it in place. I'll need to find those.
Rocker pins
Cam in Head

Cam in Head

Here's the cam installed in the head. No bearing, clip or screw yet. No paint on the end either.
Cam in Head
Cam (Brady)

Cam (Brady)

Got this off ebay for next to nothing of what they were going for. There are a couple different kinds of cam for these too. There is supposed to be paint at one end of the cam to signify which kind it is. This one has no paint that I can see. There is also some wear but nothing that you can feel with your fingertip or catch a nail on.
Cam (Brady)
Oil pump gear

Oil pump gear

Got this off ebay. It was right around $5. Nothing special but was in good shape.
Oil pump gear
Valve springs

Valve springs

Got the valve springs from a forum member (forgot which one) for the price of shipping. It worked out pretty good. I have the rockers in place where with a #2 pencil.
Valve springs
Rockers

Rockers

These were from ebay. I got them at a pretty good price. The one on the right will need to be replated but both will prolly get replated. The bushings were also in good condition too.
Rockers
Speedo

Speedo

Another ebay purchase. I got this one for $10. Sold as non function parts. I tried to carefully remove the bezel and the glass. The bezel just crumpled and the glass shattered. Damn. I did get it working though. Some WD-40 and it's spins pretty freely. The needle does bounce around a bit so the magnet will need replaced along with the bum needle. There are bezel kits from a couple sites so I'll have to buy one. This speedo is from a 160 Monza Jr so the front wheel on the 250 will not work with one. But I'm not sure how I'm going to make this thing work yet. The speed & tach will most likely be digital on the dash but I'm not really sure yet.
Speedo
Polish 2

Polish 2

The clutch inspection cover cleaned up nicely. It should, it's a new part.
Polish 2
Polish

Polish

After a light sand and a decent polish the case covers look a bit better. There are some serious battle wounds on these things so I really don't want to make the perfect (I couldn't anyways.. I'm not that good). The points cover is also new here. That was to-date the cheapest part I've gotten from ebay yet. 1 bid and it was only 99 cents. It's not good though. Useable but not good.
Polish
Gear selector cover two

Gear selector cover two

This is a close up of the gear box after a good sand and right before it gets hit by the polisher.
Gear selector cover two
Gear selector cover

Gear selector cover

This was another random forum user score from motoscrubs. I had a hard time finding a 4 speed box. There are a shit ton of the 5 speed but this one was tough find. It's in pretty good shape internally but the outside surface was pretty rough.
Gear selector cover
Finally a good cylinder

Finally a good cylinder

Found this from a place in New Jersery for way cheaper then ebay prices. No broken fins. The bore looks OK. It'll need cleaned up but it looks good. I was pretty stoked. I also got the other rocker cover from ducati.ms forum user. Worked out great! You can also see the crank screw here. I believe it's brass and it's new. Not an old one.
Finally a good cylinder
Head bolts & goodies

Head bolts & goodies

Got a box of junk off ebay that had six head bolts and all the case bolts and good handful of the other parts I'm not sure I'd have found easily. The oil union tube and bolts were in there too.
Head bolts & goodies
Officially a 250cc again

Officially a 250cc again

Another ebay purchase. This came with a fresh new bearing installed completely wrong. That was easily fixed.
Officially a 250cc again
Head & covers

Head & covers

I got the bevel tube and base from a guy on a forum for pretty cheap. I also got the time bottom timing cover from ebay. It also had the oil pump still installed in it. It turns freely but I need to take it apart and inspect it. It also came with the points cover bolts. That was a pretty good score. The damage from a chain letting go is also visable here. There is a chunk out of the entrance way and the clutch holding pin is pretty much wiped out. That will need to get fixed. I've seen pics of a re-weld. And ones of a part that is CNC'ed to hold the cluch arm and secured with some screws into the case.
Head & covers
Altenator

Altenator

Another ebay purchase. I think I won this for less then $5. I believe it's for a 350 but it looks to fit just fine.
Altenator
Got Head

Got Head

Found a head and one rocker cover and the timing cover on ebay. The covers were in great shape. The head from the outside looks great. It looked like there was quite a bit of gunk in the exhaust port. That has been cleaned out. I did get some proper bolts too.
Got Head
Clutch cover installed

Clutch cover installed

Got some more M8's and stuck the inspection cover on and the side cover. Those aren't the right bolts to use for the inspection cover but they'll hold it for now.
Clutch cover installed
Small bits

Small bits

Got these too off ebay. The clutch cover was a newly manufacturered and the timing cover was original.
Small bits
Initial Purchase

Initial Purchase

Bought as set of unmatching engine cases for a 60's Ducati 250. Found them in the swap meet at the AMA Vintage Motocycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports car course. I paid $20 for them and found a clutch side cover that was nearby for $10. That's Maddie, she went with me to watch the races. Think she had a pretty good time. And Bolt is on the left. He's always ready to party!
Initial Purchase