Narrow Case Singles: Looking for info

**allybee** · 25 Jun 08, 02:43 PM

I'm looking for some information about 250 narrow case singles. I've been doing a fair bit of googling and found some pretty informative sites. However I'd be interested in hearing the views of these engines/bikes.

The bike i have my eye on is a 250 narrow case (im guessing daytona) that's been turned into a racer.

Specifically id like to hear experiences of:

Ease of getting parts.
Reliability - what goes wrong etc.
Any useful links.
Anything to look out for.

Many thanks.

**bevel bob** · 07 Jul 08, 06:47 PM

Parts hard to find and expensive, not regular riding bike, but fun machine anyway,needs lots of oil changes, maintenance,bad electrics, can all be sorted by gentle thoughtfull engineer type!!! Danger-- very addictive.

**Mr.R** · 07 Jul 08, 09:17 PM

I have to partially disagree with Bob here engine parts a quite easy to come by but as Bob has said they aren't cheap!
A new bigend/conrod assembly can cost as much as £500 for top quality kit.
Complete transmitions can be had from Nova Engineering and others.
You can buy almost every engine part new,(apart from the main castings) as most if not all parts are still being made today...
At a price!
Topend parts for the motor are the same as the Widecase models.
If you're going to put the bike on the road you really need to convert it to 12V electrics, if you want any chance of seeing where you're going after dark.
With a bike of this age I'd recommend a full re-wire, updating as many parts as you can.
There's available a complete alternator conversion that will power a modern electronic ignition system and a Halogen headlight along with the rest of the system.
You can also buy a conversion that will power the ignition without a battery, it's a CDI type which originally was meant for an off road/race Yamaha...
Both of these kits come from Australia which's a very good source for singles parts.
The DOC of Canada has some good info on their homepage about how to prepare and set up a single for racing.
If fully rebuilt the motors are quite reliable as long as you don't slog them, they need to be revved.
In this country Lacey Engineering, Brancato Engineering, MotoMariana and DTS (Ducati Technical Services) are good places to start but none of these guys are cheap!!!!
It's more than possible/likely to spend more on a single than would buy you a decent 996SPS.

Steve

**bevel bob** · 07 Jul 08, 10:08 PM

If you wander into your local Ducati dealer and ask for parts you are likely to get some funny looks!! Parts ordered from Australia are difficult to return if unsuitable,I am still looking for some bits after 4 years,I still think its worth the effort but you need patience and contacts. this forum is a good start.

**Mr.R** · 08 Jul 08, 05:03 PM

Bob,
Over the last few years I've bought quite a bit of kit from dealers in Australia...
Read here thousands of £'s worth of parts for Ducati's.
I've even returned parts and had my out of pocket expenses refunded, I find the Aussies excellent to deal with and the parts more often than not turn up quicker than parts ordered from the UK.
I can also say the same about kit ordered from the States.
Just make sure that you pay by plastic, which covers you should you have a problem.
In Aus' Road and Race, Gowanlocks and V Two are very good to deal with, they all stock an awful lot of kit for the singles...
Steve Allen's 'Bevel Heaven' in the States is also excellent...
The average delivery time is just under 4 days from all of the above dealers.

Steve

**bevel bob** · 10 Jul 08, 09:19 AM

Hi Mr R , My current experience with suppliers is good, I have picked up a lot of information in the last 4 years,But only through the web, without the cmputer--hopeless!! Our opinions are based on our experiences, mine were not like yours,i have a shelf full of parts i cant use, You have over the years built up a rapour and mutual respect with your suppliers ,they value your custom ,you get good service,To a newcommer the scene can be a frustrating place,I nearly gave it up,learning to use a computer made all the difference.Dont underestimate the difficulties newbies face ,Fresh blood is needed, you have been a great encouragement to me.

**Mr.R** · 10 Jul 08, 07:56 PM

Cheers Bob,
Until just over 4 or 5 years ago I was a complete computer 'Ludite', (I couldn't even turn one on!) Mrs R introduced me to the wonders of the internet and piloted it for me for a couple of years before I dived in with 'gusto'.
Before that it was letter writing and staying up until silly O'clock in the wee small hours telephoning the 'Colonies', word of mouth through fellow enthusiasts, getting friends to translate text from Italian/French/German and an awfull lot of reading!
Attending Classicbike/Ducati Owners Club rallies and meeting lads who'd found the interweb before me opened my eyes and those lads were very helpfull...
It's a very long learning curve, that starts with the 1st step, after 30 years I'm still learning...
After that long (and ongoing) apprenticeship I do think that the forums are almost a cheat at times, but then if the info is out there it would be silly not to use it!
In my small way I try to help other enthusiasts, as others with an awful lot more knowledge freely help me.
Only this week I've been firing off e-mails to 'Experts' on the best performance preload setting for 4V Desmoquatro cranks, within a day I'd had replies from the USA and Australia.
It's frustrating at times but mostly good fun and at least we're not a bunch of hoodies terrorising old ladies in the streets!

Steve