Going to look at a cheap 888 ( non standard colour but looks smart ) tomorrow, not as a collectors piece but as a usable classic bike and something always on my bucket list. I don't think its been run much in 3 years and belts have not replaced in that time, but it has red strip ( or stripe ) Kevlar re-enforced belts fitted which the seller says means it should be fine to start up. Is that true, being Kevlar belts does that mean they are up to the spec of the more modern ducati's and their longer belt life? Sorry to repeat an endless newby question but I am running out of time to work through all the confusing information available on the web. Cheers
The seller starts the bike at his own risk. If the belt lets go, it’s his responsibility and you walk away. I would not start a bike that has stood for 3 years, belts or not. Andy
Thank you for the reply. I think it has done 200 miles in that time, but its the age of the belts that concerns me. I don't know if kevlar belts fitted to an older style bike are as safe to run to longer time intervals as the belts fitted to much more modern Ducati's do. Really I would want to see it started so I can do the basic checks. Cheers
Never heard of Kevlar in Ducati Belts (even though many think Ducati Belts are Kevlar reinforced including some dealers: they are not) No issue with him starting it up at his own risk. I started a 999R Fila that had been stood for 10 years (before I purchased it) and it was fine...
Hiya Wastegate, Get it over to Mike Baxter at Southfleet, if you do decide to buy it. http://www.bbsmotorcycles.co.uk
I would not chance it, for the cost of 2 belts the seller could fit them and put it on the price. I would not trust belts that have been sitting in the same position for 3 years. By all means get the seller to start the engine, if it goes tits up you can walk away. If ok get the seller to reduce the price to reflect a belt change.
New belts should be good for 20.000km or 4 years. So they should be ok but i would not dare to try it. Like said let the seller start it up,and if you buy it don’t be tempted to drive before you change them. Henk!!!
If the belts do happen to let go, feel free to put the seller on to me... ideal project an 888 that went crump at low revs at the right price
Bet its the yellow one. Was on ebay for ages at 6995 then he pulled the add and put it up on fb for 5995. I would have had a sniff myself if I had been working lately.
Yeup the yellow one. As soon as I saw it all common sense fluttered away, I loved it instantly. He started it up after I emphasised if it went bang I was walking away and all seemed fine, just let it tick over for a short while really. Its going on sorn when I get it home and wont be started until its had a service including new belts in August. I will while away the time checking and fixing a few bits and a bit of tidying up and anything I find/can think of/learn from this site. I expect to be posting here asking dopey newbie type advice by the end of the week. A lovely old chap who cant ride it as he is too ill ( especially to get in a sports crouch ) but has done a bit of twins racing in the long distance past as well. It will never be anything like concours or 100% original. I just want an example of an iconic bike that I have desired for 27 years, to ride about on any of the mythical UK dry days for many years to come, hopefully. Cheers Everyone. ( with luck rather drab bin based photo's by the end of the week - blame Aylesbury vale for the lack of colour ).
Great news. Don't forget to get yourself onto the 851 and 888 Forum too (www.ducati851and888.net) and feel free to have a look around my site (https://ducati888.co.uk/) of the restoration I did.
@RickyX How can any normal person forget about a triple eight parked up for seven years,are they on drugs or serving a prison sentence or other for that matter.?
My wife found it a few nights ago, in my favourites. Its a fantastic report and one that helped me to take the plunge, loads of good advice and contacts, many thanks.
Wasn't in East Sussex was it? I heard a similar tale a few years back. Friend of a friend rode his 888 to see one of his mates, they decided to go down to the pub and the 888 was left there for years. It was only when he visited later and his friend said "are you ever taking your bike back?" that he realised it was still there! He did have a lot of bikes though and apparently this not being in his garage meant it wasn't considered in his divorce settlement.
