So we drove down to Lacy, near Olympia, WA, and found the bike in about the condition I imagined based on the ad photos such as the one above. I felt fine with the price until I realized there was no carburetor or flywheel cover, nor flywheel nor magneto alternator. So I suggested $375 and we had a deal.
We put it on the trailer and when I got it home I took a few dozen photos and put them up on Picassa. I wanted points of reference and records for the project, and the photos are handy when I'm shopping online and need to look at part of the bike without having to run out to the garage.
At this time I'm at the planning stage. I took photocopies of what little the Seattle Public Library has on this bike in their reference section, and ordered facsimiles of the spare parts catalog and owner's manual. And just today I received a copy of Mick Walker's Ducati Singles Restoration.
I have a few saved searches on eBay to alert me to any of the parts I need. I will probably have a Dell'Orto type ME carburetor shortly, and a Silentium muffler. I think the flywheel and magneto situation will be the most difficult problem, and I'll probably have to buy a parts bike for that. I just saw one on Craigslist that might work.
Good to know there are a few more stalwarts like myself that enjoy and appreciate the Ducati OHV era. I started with a 125 Bronco in much worse shape than yours. It was free to me from a local independent shop owner who has since become a full fledged dealer and my be regretting the givaway. Anyway, that bike started my push-rod fixation, although I have a good assortment of OHC models as well. More about me later.
ReplyDeleteHere's a first tip: Before you get too carried away taking her apart, with the wheels still attached, remove the engine, clean the outide and re hang it. These engines are best worked on including complete tear down in situ the frame. This is because there are no case halves. The entire innards can be pulled from the left side while still up on its wheels. This makes for a much more orderly disassembly and cleaner too. Some other tips: The center light in the headlight shell is not stock. Header pipes are hard to find. I may be able to help. I also can help with a flywheel cover if you are not real picky. Better, as you've indicated, to find a part bike with all or most of what you need.
Thanks again for starting this. It'll be fun to watch and to occasionally contribute.
Steve H.
I haven't traced the wiring connections yet, but my guess is they added the center light along with the turn signals and flasher that they attached. I bet they all connect to each other.
ReplyDeleteHi, I´m looking for ducati 125 engine parts catalog. I have a 125 Turismo OHV but no information about parts of it. I think it´s the same of Bronco´s engine. Regaards. Anibal.
ReplyDeletemail: anibalpoliva@gmail.com
im buying one today on july 3
ReplyDeletei im opening up a shop just ventige motorcycles
we have a met coming up on july 24 please give me a call 253-315-3107 Happy Vally OR
Do you have any 125 parts you want to get
ReplyDeleterid of?
Vince
vincentpryke@hotmail.com