Hi - just joined this forum, although I don't have a Ducati yet. I've seen a dismantled 175TS fairly local and the price seems reasonable to. I've done a bit of reading about these bikes, but what are they like for getting bits? I have a couple of 70's Guzzis but this would be my first Ducati so I don't know who the specialists are and which club(s) are best in UK. Ian
there aren't many experts on here when it comes to small-engined single bevels unfortunately* but I know a couple within the Ducati Owners Club. If you are serious about restoring one then could be worth joining. * if there are then please speak up now!
Welcome, please join the map linked below. https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=1768775 ps: New dedicated map been launched soonish!
Hi and welcome! As it happens I'm in the middle of restoring a 175TS with a view to competing in the Moto Giro d'Italia. With regards to stripping and working in the engine, you'll find that they are generally very simple and straightforward. HOWEVER, there are a couple of exceptions! Number one being the comprehensive use of shims EVERYWHERE! Be very methodical when taking it apart and take LOADS of pics at each stage or you will quickly regret it on reassembly when you can't clearly work out in which order the shims came out, or if there were any on that assembly and you've lost one! First check before buying would be to determine if the bike is a genuine Ducati made in Italy or a Spanish Mototrans made under licence. There are a few significant internal differences and parts are not always directly interchangeable. The key is the Engine and frame numbers. Genuine Italian Ducatis have a DM prefix, whereas Spanish ones have an MD at the beginning. Nothing particularly wrong with the Mototrans versions as far as I am aware, they were made well in to the 1970s long after Ducati stopped making them in Italy. I have read about some questions over their quality of casting and machining and hence reliability, although I can't vouch for that. With regards to specialists in the UK there are a few and recommended would be Nigel Lacey of Lacey Ducati, Brian Silver of Moto Marianna, Classic Ducati and have a word with Rich at Louigi Moto too. Website links for the above, together with Motoscrubs Ducati Singles Forum are: http://www.laceyducati.co.uk/ducati-parts/ http://www.classicducati.com/ http://www.motoscrubs.com/forum/index.php Hope this helps and if you need any more info just ask or PM me.
Thanks for the useful information. I can have a look at the numbers when I get to see it. It's apparently a 1957 bike, if that means anything. I'm told the engine has been apart but loosely re-assembled to keep all the bits together. I have a list of all the bits, plus new parts that were bought before the restoration was abandoned. And some special tools for the valve gear, which are apparently essential. It's not currently got a UK registration so I assume I will need to get assistance with dating it from whoever the DVLA accepts as the authority. I have also joined Motoscrubs. I wasn't actually looking for another project, but this might be nice to use on some of the VMCC runs which tend to use a lot of back lanes in the Peak District. Is it true that Ducati are actually a shim manufacturer, and they started making motorbikes to use up all the excess shims?
Hi If it's a 1957 model it must be a very early TS as Ian Faloon's books say that 1957 was the last year that the forerunner, the 175T, was updated with 18 inch wheels. According to him, the 175TS did not appear until 1958? Check out some online images and you'll see that the 175T has a much more rounded and bulbous tank for starters. Although I appreciate that the tank could have easily been swapped in the past for a TS one. There are other differences with the tuning of the engine from what I recall as well, but I won't swear to it. Really you'll need to get a dating certificate to accurately tell which model it is and for that you'll need to seek help from the Ducati Owners Club or perhaps some advice from someone like Dave Silver or Nigel Lacey etc. Sounds an interesting project though, at the right price. But just be aware that 'loosely bolted back together' often means 'I've lost loads of the fiddly parts which I'll never find' or, 'I broke some expensive bits and you won't find them till I've got your cash'! Make your offer with those possibilities in mind and be prepared to spend a lot of time and money just in case . . .
This is what the tank looks like (if I've managed to add the photo correctly). I was doing a bit more reading and it does seem unlikely it could be a TS from 1957, although many bits could have been swapped by now. I'll check the numbers when I go to see it.
Had a look at the weekend, and decided to have it. It's got DM prefix engine and frame numbers, but I think probably 1960-ish rather than 1957. All in bits, but I reckon I've seen all the main parts in various boxes. Just need to decide how to tackle it - restore or recommission, 12V conversion etc.
Worth it if it's an Italian bike and engine of the price was right. If it's in bits I'd strongly suggest you get a repro copy of the parts book. It's probably more helpful than the info you'll get in any English language workshop manual. There are Italian language workshop manuals available online and as repro copies and Clymer to one for later bevel singles which is what I've been using in conjunction with the parts book. There are differences! Good luck mate and keep me posted on progress!
You could do worse than ring Italia Moto in Lincoln and have a chat with Phil Worth, he knows a *lot* about older Ducati models and has a few singles of his own. If nothing else he'd point you in the right direction. Top fellow!
It comes with a parts book, workshop manual and the Mick Walker restoration book, plus a variety of new parts. I've been having a look round the various websites, but will firm up a plan when I've got it home.
Mick Walker's book is like gold dust and very expensive when you do find a copy, so sounds like you've done quite well there
