Author Topic: Ducati First Ride  (Read 692 times)

Offline Scout63

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2682
  • Location: Orleans, MA USA
Ducati First Ride
« on: May 24, 2022, 09:34:56 PM »
After a month or so of going over the Duc I finished it today and took it for a short ride to pick up dinner.  Here is the first start video.  It took quite a few kicks, but really just since I didn’t know how much gas to give it.  Much easier to kick than the Norton or SR. Video quality isn’t great.

https://youtu.be/gGMiwq-2svc

I quickly realized that I’m going to have to limber up to ride the bike any distance.  It’s hard to get my feet back onto the pegs without an effort. Once there, it’s not too bad.  Then I ran out of gas on the way home but reserve got me the rest of the way.  It did have me looking at the T3 seat and floorboards with new respect.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Scout63

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2682
  • Location: Orleans, MA USA
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2022, 09:39:33 PM »
And a picture of the bike completed.




Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline Kiwi_Roy

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 9796
  • Location: New Westminster BC
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2022, 09:41:09 PM »
It looks and sounds good  :thumb:
72 Eldorado
17 V7iii Special
76 Convert
Half a V9 Roamer

Moto Guzzi - making electricians out of riders since March 15 1921

Online spmoto

  • Gaggle Mentor
  • ****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 711
  • Location: Unity, Maine
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2022, 09:55:25 PM »
Nice Big Ben!!
Steve

Wildguzzi.com

Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2022, 09:55:25 PM »

Offline Tusayan

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 1788
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2022, 10:39:27 PM »
I removed the 2 into 1 exhaust on mine in 1993, a month or so after I bought it.  I still have it on a shelf as memorabilia.  Looks to be a very nice ‘77 otherwise (‘78s had the Darmah engine with no shift crossover) and actually more comfortable than some that followed (try a 916).  The tight legroom is motivation to get skinny and limber, with that there’s no reason you can’t ride it into your 70s.  Fat old men need not apply, so don’t be one of them.
« Last Edit: May 24, 2022, 11:05:15 PM by Tusayan »

Online Turin

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 5146
    • crap and stuff
  • Location: Chandler, Arizona
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #5 on: May 24, 2022, 11:36:00 PM »
beautiful!
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline Scout63

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2682
  • Location: Orleans, MA USA
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2022, 06:10:55 AM »
‘U
I removed the 2 into 1 exhaust on mine in 1993, a month or so after I bought it.  I still have it on a shelf as memorabilia.  Looks to be a very nice ‘77 otherwise (‘78s had the Darmah engine with no shift crossover) and actually more comfortable than some that followed (try a 916).  The tight legroom is motivation to get skinny and limber, with that there’s no reason you can’t ride it into your 70s.  Fat old men need not apply, so don’t be one of them.

It also has the earlier ignition system, but the head stamp is dated 1978 and the frame and engine numbers slot in as a ‘78. I’ll keep riding and getting used to it.  First rides on any bikes are unsettling for me.  It takes a few weeks to trust them and myself.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Online cliffrod

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2171
  • AC Button II
    • Carolina Sculpture Studio
  • Location: Spartanburg, SC USA
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2022, 06:49:11 AM »
Very, very cool.
1973 V7 Sport  "Now THAT'S a motorcycle!"-  Master Sculptor Giuliano Cecchinelli
1967 V700 Corsa Record
1981 Lemans CX100
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExX3YmQel_Q
http://carolinasculpturestudio.com/
Carolina Sculpture Studio YuoTube Channel-
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzSYaYdis55gE-vqifz

Offline LowRyter

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 16685
  • Location: Edmond OK
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2022, 08:04:48 AM »
 :thumb:
John L 
When life gets you down remember it's one down and the rest are up.  (1-N-23456)

Offline Tusayan

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 1788
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2022, 08:30:51 AM »
I had a Darmah on which the data plate said year model 1982, date of manufacture 5/83.  US Federal emissions laws were substantially changed for the 1983 model year, and that was the Italian solution…. Two stroke Vespas disappeared from the US market that year for the same reason.

If your SS has ‘78 casting dates, but has the pre-Darmah engine and is otherwise a ‘77 configuration bike, my guess is that they didn’t get going on ‘78 production until mid-year and built a few ‘77s in early ‘78.  If the casting dates say ‘77 it’s just a left over bike titled as a ‘78. Interesting  :smiley:

The ‘77 SS was introduced originally as a way to soak up production (and engines) from the failing 860GT.  If the GT had sold well, the SS would have been a mid-70s production race bike with only a few hundred made.  However as it happened, the ‘77 SS sold well so the ‘78 was improved and the Hailwood was planned.
« Last Edit: May 25, 2022, 09:31:03 AM by Tusayan »

Online Dave Swanson

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 4246
  • Northern Illinois USA
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2022, 10:09:57 AM »
Good going.  If you ride the bike often and long enough you will limber right up!   :grin:
Dave Swanson - Northern IL
1935 GTS
1968 V700
1973 V7 Sport
1974 Eldo
1974 Police Eldo
1976 Convert
1977 Lemans 1.2
1980 T3 California
1993 1000S - Sparklehorse
2004 V11S - Eraldo-ized
2016 Griso SE - Beetle-ized
2021 V7-850 Stone Centenario
2022 V85TT Guardia d'Onore
2023 V100S

MGNOC L-780

Offline flower_king001

  • Gaggle Mentor
  • ****
  • *
  • Posts: 929
  • Location: South/Middle/TN
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2022, 10:24:04 AM »
Wonderful looking and sounding classic Ducati!

I know what you mean about limbering up. Several years back my Lemans IV was my daily rider and now only once a month as it's getting harder to keep comfortable.
Current Fleet

1971 BMW R90/5
1986 Moto Guzzi Lemans IV 1000
1998 Moto Guzzi 1100 EV
2005 BMW 1200 RT
2007 BMW 1200 GS
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 1100

Offline blackcat

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 8854
  • Location: USA
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #12 on: May 25, 2022, 10:35:11 AM »
Very nice bike, best of luck.
1968 Norton Fastback
1976 Lemans
1981 CX-100
1993 1000S
1997 Daytona RS
2007 Red Norge

Offline Canuck750

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2138
  • Location: Edmonton, Canada
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #13 on: May 25, 2022, 12:34:26 PM »
Thanks for posting the video Ben, sounds great! 

I would like to know what your impressions are between a Le Mans and the Ducati.

My 860 GT is the gentle touring version and quite comfortable whereas I found the V7 Sport and Le Mans to be much more challenging to ride for my aging and over weight 60+ frame.

Jim
48 Guzzi Airone, 57 Guzzi Cardellino, 65 Benelli 200 sprite, 66 Aermacchi Sprint, 68 Gilera 106 SS, 72 Eldorado, 72 Benelli 180, 74 Guzzi 750S, 73 Laverda SF1, 74  Benelli 650S, 75 Ducati 860GT, 75 Moto Morini 3-1/2, 78 Moto Morinii 500

Offline Tusayan

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 1788
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #14 on: May 25, 2022, 01:03:51 PM »
I would like to know what your impressions are between a Le Mans and the Ducati.

I've had my '79 Le Mans since 1987 and have about 100,000 miles on it, and my '80 900SS since 1993 with about 20,000 miles on it.   Both have been used predominantly for sport riding, with days up to 600 miles.

The Le Mans is heavier and less stable, but at the same time more comfortable and refined.   It's a good sport touring bike, and once you learn how to ride around shaft jacking, high unsprung weight and integrated brakes (mine have been split since the '80s) its a more competent sport bike than many might imagine.  If you know the bike, the road and how to ride a good line without jerky inputs, it will follow that line.  Basically its a very good chassis with good ergonomics hamstrung by a driveline that really wasn't designed for a sporting platform. However that same driveline is exceptionally reliable and the end result is a sport bike that can also do a lot of other things very well, including relaxed long days.  Service is likewise super easy, as we all know.

The 900SS is more of a thoroughbred is every way, stable as can be and coming into its own when pushed hard.  A kind of evil competence comes to the fore when you push it hard (magazine writers doing this comparison never do, it seems to me), to near race pace, and the unrefined carburation (40-mm Dellortos are really too big), heavy clutch, harsh accommodations etc are no longer noticeable.  It doesn't go up and down with the throttle, it doesn't weave at all and it feels lighter even if the steering is slightly heavier...  the relative lack of mass both sprung and unsprung mean every disturbance to the chassis is damped out quickly.   It turns in a little slower than the Le Mans but both bikes require precise lines, so its similar shades of grey. Power is a bit better than the Le Mans in general, but there are variations (e.g. a LM IV 1000 makes more power than a 32-mm carb'd SS).  The riding position is not as good as the Le Mans, too stretched out for almost anybody, and its not really suited to long days. The seat is a 3/4 inch thickness of cheap foam and your private parts are none too happy after 600 miles of twisties.  Service is more time consuming than the Le Mans, but modern bikes have become so much more complex to service that by today's standards its pretty easy.
« Last Edit: May 25, 2022, 01:31:08 PM by Tusayan »

Offline Canuck750

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2138
  • Location: Edmonton, Canada
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #15 on: May 25, 2022, 01:41:32 PM »
Excellent comparison report Tusayan!!!

Thank you for that, high praise for the Le Mans indeed and what I expected the Ducati SS would be, as you so well stated a thoroughbred!
48 Guzzi Airone, 57 Guzzi Cardellino, 65 Benelli 200 sprite, 66 Aermacchi Sprint, 68 Gilera 106 SS, 72 Eldorado, 72 Benelli 180, 74 Guzzi 750S, 73 Laverda SF1, 74  Benelli 650S, 75 Ducati 860GT, 75 Moto Morini 3-1/2, 78 Moto Morinii 500

Offline Scout63

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 2682
  • Location: Orleans, MA USA
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #16 on: May 25, 2022, 09:24:26 PM »
Great explanation Tusayan. I’ll post my impressions when I get the Lemans done. I’ll never do 600 mile days again or push a bike past 7/10, so a lot of the capabilities are academic.  For now, my biggest fear is hanging up a boot on the pegs when I come to a stop.  I’m stiff enough that getting my feet on and off the pegs is a little tough.

I’m also still figuring out starting. The carbs have ticklers but no chokes.  It’s an easy start when warm.  When cold I still have to play around.  Paying my dues.   Thanks Canuck and everyone for the kind words. I did ride the G5 back to work today and it was a dream having floorboards and high bars.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Offline nc43bsa

  • Gaggle Hero
  • *****
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • Posts: 1353
  • Location: Mooresville NC
Re: Ducati First Ride
« Reply #17 on: May 25, 2022, 10:35:20 PM »
On my 900SS I found it ill-advised to crack the throttle open when kicking.  Mine back-fired and sent the kick arm across the yard.
1990 MilleGT

 

Quad Lock - The best GPS / phone mount system for your motorcycles, no damage to your cameras!!
Get a Wildguzzi discount of 10% off your order!
http://quadlock.refr.cc/luapmckeever
Advertise Here