Got it at home now. I think I'll put it loosely together first, and check against the parts book to see what's missing or not usable. Then need to decide what form of restoration to do.
A very wise decision. If you start on a full restoration you should do it out of love, because your unlikely to make your money back on what you'll spend if you ever sell it. On the plus side, you don't half learn a lot and come to fully appreciate the design of the bevel engine. As well as why Ducati made a loss on every one they made!
Anyone know how to decode the fastener sizes from the parts book? Most of the screws etc are designated 8MA, 6MB etc.
Scanned the photocopy of the parts book at work, so I can have a dirty copy in the garage. Thus I now have a PDF version if anybody needs one. Wrote to Ducati UK and after getting bounced around a bit, I got a dating letter saying 1957. Not sure how they arrived at that conclusion, but I'll send to DVLA. Apart from that, done nothing so far.....but we do have a works shutdown shortly and as the wife is working I might find a few hours.
I've been trying to contact Brian Silver for a couple of weeks now with no joy, not sure if the number I've got is right, 01344487928, anyone know of another number. Thanks in anticipation
Pretty sure the number you quote is the correct one, although I seem to have another in my contacts for him, it is 01344487920. He's a top bloke and really knows his stuff. He rebuilt the crank of my 175TS and arranged a review too. He's a bit old fashioned and doesn't 'do the internet thing' though, so keep trying. If you leave a message he has always got back to me.
Thanks, tried it, it's unobtainable. I'll try him for a few more days then look a bit farther afield for my rebuild
You could always give Nigel Lacey a call, he's another Ducati Singles guru, if you weren't already aware and a good friend of Brian's. He does rebuilds and restoration and sells all the spares your likely to need. http://www.laceyducati.co.uk
Thanks for all that, finally got hold of Brian, he's no longer doing any work due to health issues, had a word with Paul at DTS, seems very knowledgeable and came recommended so hopefully sorted.
Glad you've got a recommendation and appear to be sorted. Really sorry to hear that Brian's got health issues once more, he's a really genuine, nice guy, with a wealth of knowledge that he was only too happy to share.
Hi Ranton, I'm new to this forum and just embarking on the same journey as you with a TS175 & TS200, I'm a restoration novice so on a big learning curve. This discussion has been very interested and nice to see the level of support that seems to be out there, may be have a chat some time on your progress and lessons you have learnt ? Hope your restoration is on track !!!
Welcome! I'm nearing the end of my 175TS restoration and boy has it been a rollercoaster ride! I've learned more about things like electrics than I'd ever wished to know but have really enjoyed the experience on the whole . At least it's running now and the finishing line is in sight (I hope!). Best piece of advice I can give Id to get yourself signed up on the Motoscrubs forum http://www.motoscrubs.com/forum/index.php which is dedicated to Ducati and Mototrans singles. A lot of the guys are Stateside, but there is a wealth of knowledge and experience on there and they are all very helpful. First thing to check is whether your bike is an Italian assembled Ducati or a Spanish Mototrans version, which were made under licence. They are similar, but there are certain things like the frame, generator and other engine components that are different and not all are interchangable! The easiest way to tell is that Italian versions have frame and engine numbers starting DM (Ducati Motore) and Mototrans versions start MD (Mototrans Ducati). Feel free to ask questions as I've ha to completely strip the engine and build a new wiring loom on mine and have probably made most of the common mistakes .
Thanks, much appreciated. The 175 is MD with the frame being 54426 and the engine 54527 (according to the seller), the later could be a typo, engine 54427 ? I think it is about a 63 and the 200 I think is earlier just by the old spanish reg plates.. However logic can be wrong I'll be picking them up in a few weeks time.
Sorry for delayed response. I don't come on here much, but would endorse Motoscrubs as a good resource. A quick update on mine: I initially put it all back together loosely, to see what was missing. Not much really, although lots of things were in a bad way. Although I've messed with various things, this is also my first proper restoration so I've probably done things in the wrong order. First job was cleaning out the tank, which took about 2 months of reverse electrolysis before it could be sent off for dent repair and painting. Looks grand now. Next was engine stripdown. Sent the crankshaft to Nigel Lacey to dismantle - big end damaged by water ingress. We then had a major search to find a new con-rod kit that he was happy to use. Failed to find one, so had Alpha Bearings resleeve a donor 250 rod. Got the crank back last week after giving it to Nigel in October, so I'm ready to rebuild it now. The head is all built up - valves, guides etc all good to use again. The other issue was the broken kickstart. Got a nice used shaft via a Motoscrubs member, and a coil spring upgrade kit off US ebay. As we are now, I have had the frame powder-coated. Forks stripped down after a big struggle. Stanchions away for re-chroming but otherwise all looks good. Wheel rims and spokes on order for a friend to rebuild my wheels. It's an excellent way to spend money!
