Track bike / Project bike?

[ChamMTB]

OK chaps - thought I would ask here first.

I currently have an under warranty 848, which I don't fancy throwing down the road for obvious reasons - but I would like to start riding track etc next year. I also want to start building up my mechanical ability - as although I know some from my MTB experience, I have never stripped engines etc.

So, was thinking of getting a second bike/track bike/project for this winter - to keep me entertained and then end up with something I can ride next year. I would prefer to keep it road legal, such that I don't also need trailers etc for the track, but I am flexible on this as I also have a car, so I guess a trailer isn't going to cost too much.....

Anyone got anything suitable? I am also starting to look around on fleabay etc, but not that sure about buying something totally anonymously and if I buy an old 748 etc from a dealer, then I am starting with a £4k cheque - which doesn't give me much room....

Am not precious as to what it is, and I don't mind doing the work on it if it's minor damaged etc. Also, as it will be a hack/track bike, it doesn't have to be pretty, just straight, with more or less sound engine. The rest is cosmetic.

Give me a shout if any of you have something you wouldn't mind going to a good home.

Cheers.

[Jolley]

Why not pick up a road legal 600SS or Monster (I would think £1,500 would get you something decent). Keep it road legal and track it... then if you fancy you could convert it to compete in the DD series the year after?.....

[JR]

My Italian mate Roberto has his track bike for sale (he has bought a 999 track bike) - it is a 996 prepared by Lougi Moto - £3500 which includes a spare set of Marchesini wheels/wet tyres and UK delivery - France at cost!. He had it posted in the classifieds, but it seems to have been taken off, though the bike is still for sale and presently located at Luigi Moto's premises. A well loved and pampered bike that has never given any problems in the past couple of years.

[Ghost]

Get a 600SS then if you like it you can come DD racing with us. Lot of fun for a little money.

[ChamMTB]

but a proper track bike with spare wheels.......now you're talking!

Just out of interest, how powerful is a 600ss? Are there any other options? 748's seem not bad value, but not sure what condition I could expect a 8-10yr old to be in? There seem a few privately that are about £2,500-3,000 that are on the road.....

Not that bothered about starting racing just yet - if I had the time to commit to that I would, but it won't happen as I am back in France at the weekends.

Was more thinking about having something less precious than the 848. That way, I could also bring the 848 over to France during the summer, and keep the other one in London as a commute/track bike.....

Is your mates 996 track bike even slightly road legal?

Thanks.

[zimbo]

Originally Posted by JR

My Italian mate Roberto has his track bike for sale (he has bought a 999 track bike) - it is a 996 prepared by Lougi Moto - £3500 which includes a spare set of Marchesini wheels/wet tyres and UK delivery - France at cost!. He had it posted in the classifieds, but it seems to have been taken off, though the bike is still for sale and presently located at Luigi Moto's premises. A well loved and pampered bike that has never given any problems in the past couple of years.

How is Mad Roberto these days, is he still in Australia???

I remember the bike, if it's the same one he was racing in Sound of Thunder a couple of years ago?

[JR]

Hi Zimbo, Roberto has been back from Oz for nearly a year - he concentrated on doing Pembrey track days this year to improve his riding style.

The bike is a track/race bike only, not road legal - it was built from parts by Rich (Luigi Moto) for the Sound of Thunder race series - Roberto loved it so much he had it shipped to OZ for track days, then shipped back when he returned to the UK after a year.

[Bungi]

I think £4k is a great budget to have for your first ducati track bike, i have recently sold a couple of 748R track bikes for within that budget with daytime mot(fully sorted) so i am sure you will find something to fettle with much less than £4k.

the heart of your track bike is the engine, its not necessary to have the fastest engine but if your going to do some regular trackdays you do need one that is from a hardy model machine, not all models are as able as each other to hack the pressure for too long, and engine rebuilds and replacements will blow the wallet wide open!!

[Carbon749]

Could be a good base to build a track bike on ...... 2005 749 with Termi for £3k. Less than a £1k would sort this and make a great track bike.

DUCATI 749 BIP BP 748 CHEAP SALVAGE V TWIN 2005 TERMI on eBay, also, Ducati, Motorcycles Scooters, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 14-Sep-08 19:30:00 BST)

[ChamMTB]

That feels about right based on what I see around - so either a 748/9 with requirement for a bit of work/cosmetic damage repair. That's not so bad.....

Will start looking. I guess the nervousness would be buying something that was a Cat C and then not being able to get a solid engineering review prior to buying....it's a bit pot luck. That 749 would make a great base, but if the lower fork crown was bent, wouldn't you need whole frame alignment checking too - as could easily have moved as well....

[Bungi]

Originally Posted by Carbon749

Could be a good base to build a track bike on ...... 2005 749 with Termi for £3k. Less than a £1k would sort this and make a great track bike.

DUCATI 749 BIP BP 748 CHEAP SALVAGE V TWIN 2005 TERMI on eBay, also, Ducati, Motorcycles Scooters, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 14-Sep-08 19:30:00 BST)

it seems it turned out that the frame was bent on this bike

you do need tobe carefull if buying salvage. its often as cheap in the long run to buy a complete bike then convert it for track use

[Duke of Stow]

Saw this on e-bay 2004 DUCATI 749 TRACK BIKE (Bi-Posto) on eBay, also, Ducati, Motorcycles Scooters, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 01-Oct-08 13:58:51 BST) and thought it may fit the bill.

~Duke~