Oh God!!!! what I would do to get my hands on that Ducati!!!! That is absolutely one of my dream bikes that I have to have before I die! Damn you are one lucky man!
Hi Rob: This brings back happy memories; my first Ducati was a 74 GT860 but with the uglier slab-sided tank. I put on a Darmah tank with a Hailwood seat, a 2-into-1 exhaust, home made rear sets and clock plate and it looked great. The side panels had to go too . So much easier to do the valves than with my MHR!
I loved that bike. I ended up getting a 1974 Norton Commando 850 because I couldn't afford the Ducati. I can see similarities from that design era on both bikes. What a great machine.
Yes, the Brits and Europeans made some great bikes in the seventies. I liked the Norton and Trumpy twins, BSA triple was OK too. As they say, it's not the journey that counts, it's how you get there. Cheers Rob
Ran the bike again today, and still have a problem getting neutral. I'm pretty sure the neutral switch is seized and not letting the actuating cam centre correctly on the selector fork shaft. So next job is to pull off the gear selector box and free up the switch. The switch is not a great setup, as it cops crap off of the chain, and the little plunger locks up. But that's Italian electrics for you. They also love using multiple relays for no apparent reason, and then cramming the whole lot into the headlight shell. At least I'm fluent in Italian for wiring diagrams (sic). The rear brake light switch was also seized and I fixed that yesterday. Just needed a wash out in benzine and a blast with the air duster. Be great to get this old girl back on the road again. Cheers all. Rob
Great bikes them early Ducati's distinctive exhaust sound. A lad had a JPS in the early eighties when I had my T120 Pre Unit Triumph café racer with Goldie's on. Unfortunately he's no longer with us and neither is my bike except for one exhaust in use now and a box of bits. Great video. Even better a drive past on the road.
Hi Tony, early Ducati are nice, but then so are other European (including some UK) bikes of the same era. It's interesting to see how manufacturers have come full circle and are bringing out many naked bikes modeled on former glory. You don't have to go ridiculous speeds to have a good looking bike and a good time. Cheers Rob
Thank you. Dr Taglioni was the master. This engine like some other earlier Ducati doesn't actually have Desmo valve gear. It has conventional valve springs. Back in those days only the high spec/expensive machines were Desmo - eg. Super Sport twins and singles. Cheers Rob
Hi Rob, thanks for answer. You are right: that engine was an undergrade from Taglioni's projects. Wasn't lucky on the market due to the style. But you are lucky to have an F1: a real masterpiece!
The styling let the 860 GT down, but the engine was still top class as always. The Desmo went harder as it could run hotter cams without those big valves floating over 7K. Most people forget that the yellow round case sport Ducati were also only valve spring engines, but have always been highly desirable. The 860 GT was actually more powerful due to the larger capacity. Yes, the F1 is in a class of it's own. Nothing Ducati had made up until then came close. The F1 and the Suzuki GSXR 750 both basically rewrote the sports bike design parameters in 1985. Every sport bike since then has basically followed the same fully faired, short wheel base, light weight, monoshock parameter those two bikes set. Cheers Rob
I had two of these in 1982-84. Mine had dunstall mufflers (originals) instead of the factory contis. Never had any mechanical problems, but the electric ignition (CDI from memory) was highly problematic and somewhat expensive. The clutch wasn’t light either...a man’s clutch.
Sounds super sweet Rob. That's pretty good after 10 years. Ride safe and enjoy. One of my real early bikes was a BSA Bantam 175 - damn that takes me back! Probably had most fun in later 80's when I had a K1 Gold Wing. Now sold my VTX1300 as my right hip no longer tolerates being astride a fat tank! Having to 'make do' with a small Burgman. Age sucks. I always fancied the 950 (I think) big 'Duke' - super fast bike.
It's funny how Ducati, Triumph, MotoGuzzi, Norton, Harley Davidson etc keep bringing out retro model bikes in vast quantities to satisfy the market. It flies in the face of the super fast modern m/cycles some of those same companies produce. Why would anyone want to buy a retro motorcycle ? It makes you think that some thing must be lacking in those hitech models to do that. It's called charisma. It's a sensual wasteland these days. Yes, the 70's and 80's were the golden years of motorcycling,, before the EPA put their boot into fun and enjoyment, and killed off many wonderful m/cycles. The modern replicas are just a shadow of the real thing. Old can be good. Cheers Rob
Exactly Rob, what's the point of a computer controlled rocket that can touch 300 kmh in Adelaide? It would never get out of first gear. Riding old simple bikes, like driving old simple cars is a sensual thing, not that sensual, I mean they fill the senses, smells from oils and rubber, sounds of mechanical bits in various states of stress, vibrations, resonances, developing that feel for the sweet spot when everything just works together as it should. It keeps the rider/driver alive and mentally alert as you have to actually control the beast, there's not a computer there to save you from stupid mistakes.
Yeah I guess, but you really need to include the Honda CB1000EX, Super Cub 125, Z125 Monkey. Kawasaki Z900RS, W800 Cafe Suzuki Katana, Yamaha Bolt, V Max, XSR900 What are they thinking, I suppose it's because people buy these bikes.
Those rear shocks look sharp. They look like an inverted style from what I'm used to seeing. Beautiful bike. Makes me want to put my bmw r80 back together! Good weather is almost here.
The original shocks were rubbish. These are not inverted, they have a remote oil reservoir to keep oil temperatures down, which can also be air pressurised to stop foaming. Quite expensive in their day. Cheers Rob
thanks for sharing. have it washed, packed & shipped to me in mother country asap. I'll test it for you this Summer, while you suffer Winter. happy to help.
I was going to film that, but it's garbage day, green bin, and everyone had their lawn mowers going. Lucky to shoot the video at all. It's tough getting these videos out at times. BUT, I have an action cam in the post, and I intend to shoot some on board video Will get more then. Maybe even start up :) Cheers Rob
G'day Rob bloody nice bike, can't beat the sound I suppose they are Conti pipes. When I lived in Adelaide I had a RGS 1000 Laverda great riding though the hills, Lobathal run and up around Kangaroo Creek Dam. I love Italian bikes, but as you said about the Ducati when she was built, I Had problems with mine not the most reliable machine but could it move and corner another great vid I could talk for hours about the things kind regards John
Hi John, Yes, they are Conti replicas. I must have ridden every tarmac road in the Adelaide Hills many times over. Italian bikes have their moments (electrics poor) but the duck has generally been very reliable. It must have done a lot of Km's before I got it as the bronze valve guides were worn out (badly on the front cylinder) as well as the bottom end. I knew the guy that originally bought it, and he was one rough dude. Laverda were an expensive machine out of my reach. The big triples were stump pullers for sure. I also liked the early Guzzi's and have always wanted to try one. Being tall was a bit of an issue though, and I didn't fancy fried knee caps so passed on that as well. Pity the Laverda demise. Mmm tasty SFC anyone ? They did bring out those later twins in the late 90s, which seemed quite good, but that also stopped. Maybe the name will be resurrected again some day. Cheers Rob
xynudu thanks for the reply yes the triple RGS cost me $7000.00 back in 1986 there's a bloke in Qld Reds who works on them, back in Adelaide it was only Dr Desmos and I didn't think much of them anyway Rod talk to you soon kind regards John
Too much. I have to check. It's always been a total rip off. I will only do them for three months - during the good weather. I did them annually up until other commitments pushed riding to the back. But it's all go now. Purely recreational riding these days. Rob
I'm purely recreational as well but I have 6 bikes on full rego here in WA and from January this year all regoes have had another $100 tacked on them taking them to $355, I'm in the midst of a move to Adelaide and I just was interested to know what it will cost when I have to rego them i SA.Cheers.
That's a lot of bikes. I used to have a couple of chook chasers as well, and riding those in low gear down a quiet country road was just as good as a high speed blast on a sport bike. Just different modes for different roads. Still like dirt bikes. Quad bikes don't look safe to me. Cheers Rob
They all blew up. I used to go to a lot of bike races, and when the Ducati's retired it was always "electrical problems". But in actual fact the engine has magneto ignition, and that side of things is very reliable. "Electrical problems" really meant bottom end failure, and it happened a lot, until the Dharma bottom end came out. I will be back on the road very soon. Cheers Rob
She is beautiful! Ride it while you can, mate. I just turned seventy, and they took away my bike and semi-trailer licences. Just 'cos I'm an old fart. Put a heap more miles on them while you can, because the bureaucrats, aided by medical tests, will stop you in your tracks.
So you're the dude who went to Salt Lake salt flats and screwed all the women! I saw your movie! Seems your machine has a new paint job from the old one in the movie. You Aussies are fast movers even when chewing the nitro pills! Take care. Doug
He He. Funnily enough the bikes they used in the Worlds Fastest Indian at Boneville were actually Ducati engined replicas (late model 900 SS ). That was a good movie, although the dude was actually a Kiwi. I've never been to Boneville, but I've been busted more times on that old 860 than anything else I've ever owned ;-) Cheers Rob
Oh God!!!! what I would do to get my hands on that Ducati!!!! That is absolutely one of my dream bikes that I have to have before I die! Damn you are one lucky man!
Thanks for the memories! I owned an 860GTE in 1978 - I wish I still had it, such an exciting bike to ride and so full of character.
Hi Rob: This brings back happy memories; my first Ducati was a 74 GT860 but with the uglier slab-sided tank. I put on a Darmah tank with a Hailwood seat, a 2-into-1 exhaust, home made rear sets and clock plate and it looked great. The side panels had to go too . So much easier to do the valves than with my MHR!
Cool I've got a 1978 GTS 900 I got it as a basket case it was missing the front end that was 30 years ago I'm still looking for one
Classic machine. Cheers Rob
I loved that bike. I ended up getting a 1974 Norton Commando 850 because I couldn't afford the Ducati. I can see similarities from that design era on both bikes. What a great machine.
Yes, the Brits and Europeans made some great bikes in the seventies. I liked the Norton and Trumpy twins, BSA triple was OK too.
As they say, it's not the journey that counts, it's how you get there.
Cheers Rob
My brother had a Norton 850 Commando back in the late 70's I believe, fast sucker!
Had a 860GTE in 76, still dream of that bike
Ah ha. The nice sounding exhaust doesn't quite drown out the mechanical noise. But hey it's a Ducati! and a nice looking example at that.
Ran the bike again today, and still have a problem getting neutral. I'm pretty sure the neutral switch is seized and not letting the actuating cam centre correctly on the selector fork shaft.
So next job is to pull off the gear selector box and free up the switch. The switch is not a great setup, as it cops crap off of the chain, and the little plunger locks up.
But that's Italian electrics for you. They also love using multiple relays for no apparent reason, and then cramming the whole lot into the headlight shell. At least I'm fluent in Italian for wiring diagrams (sic).
The rear brake light switch was also seized and I fixed that yesterday. Just needed a wash out in benzine and a blast with the air duster.
Be great to get this old girl back on the road again.
Cheers all.
Rob
Rob! Glad to see your bikes and see the outside of your shop. I dig the older Ducatis. Cheers
Great bikes them early Ducati's distinctive exhaust sound. A lad had a JPS in the early eighties when I had my T120 Pre Unit Triumph café racer with Goldie's on.
Unfortunately he's no longer with us and neither is my bike except for one exhaust in use now and a box of bits. Great video. Even better a drive past on the road.
Hi Tony, early Ducati are nice, but then so are other European (including some UK) bikes of the same era. It's interesting to see how manufacturers have come full circle and are bringing out many naked bikes modeled on former glory. You don't have to go ridiculous speeds to have a good looking bike and a good time. Cheers Rob
That's a beaut, Rob. Love the exhaust note.
A real conic gear desmo valve comand by Taglioni engineer. A ducati piece of hystory. Greetings from Italy.
Thank you. Dr Taglioni was the master.
This engine like some other earlier Ducati doesn't actually have Desmo valve gear. It has conventional valve springs.
Back in those days only the high spec/expensive machines were Desmo - eg. Super Sport twins and singles.
Cheers Rob
Hi Rob, thanks for answer. You are right: that engine was an undergrade from Taglioni's projects. Wasn't lucky on the market due to the style. But you are lucky to have an F1: a real masterpiece!
The styling let the 860 GT down, but the engine was still top class as always. The Desmo went harder as it could run hotter cams without those big valves floating over 7K.
Most people forget that the yellow round case sport Ducati were also only valve spring engines, but have always been highly desirable. The 860 GT was actually more powerful due to the larger capacity.
Yes, the F1 is in a class of it's own. Nothing Ducati had made up until then came close. The F1 and the Suzuki GSXR 750 both basically rewrote the sports bike design parameters in 1985.
Every sport bike since then has basically followed the same fully faired, short wheel base, light weight, monoshock parameter those two bikes set.
Cheers Rob
I had two of these in 1982-84. Mine had dunstall mufflers (originals) instead of the factory contis. Never had any mechanical problems, but the electric ignition (CDI from memory) was highly problematic and somewhat expensive. The clutch wasn’t light either...a man’s clutch.
Yes, heavy clutch on all early Dr Taglioni Ducatis.
Beautiful bike Rob, looks and sounds great!
Sounds and looks great...way to go keeping her rolling. Semper Fi, Tom
nothing quite like the rumble of a sport V twin, love it.
Sounds super sweet Rob. That's pretty good after 10 years. Ride safe and enjoy.
One of my real early bikes was a BSA Bantam 175 - damn that takes me back! Probably had most fun in later 80's when I had a K1 Gold Wing. Now sold my VTX1300 as my right hip no longer tolerates being astride a fat tank! Having to 'make do' with a small Burgman. Age sucks.
I always fancied the 950 (I think) big 'Duke' - super fast bike.
It's funny how Ducati, Triumph, MotoGuzzi, Norton, Harley Davidson etc keep bringing out retro model bikes in vast quantities to satisfy the market. It flies in the face of the super fast modern m/cycles some of those same companies produce. Why would anyone want to buy a retro motorcycle ?
It makes you think that some thing must be lacking in those hitech models to do that. It's called charisma. It's a sensual wasteland these days.
Yes, the 70's and 80's were the golden years of motorcycling,, before the EPA put their boot into fun and enjoyment, and killed off many wonderful m/cycles.
The modern replicas are just a shadow of the real thing.
Old can be good.
Cheers Rob
Exactly Rob, what's the point of a computer controlled rocket that can touch 300 kmh in Adelaide? It would never get out of first gear. Riding old simple bikes, like driving old simple cars is a sensual thing, not that sensual, I mean they fill the senses, smells from oils and rubber, sounds of mechanical bits in various states of stress, vibrations, resonances, developing that feel for the sweet spot when everything just works together as it should. It keeps the rider/driver alive and mentally alert as you have to actually control the beast, there's not a computer there to save you from stupid mistakes.
Great comment.
Yeah I guess, but you really need to include the
Honda CB1000EX, Super Cub 125, Z125 Monkey.
Kawasaki Z900RS, W800 Cafe
Suzuki Katana,
Yamaha Bolt, V Max, XSR900
What are they thinking, I suppose it's because people buy these bikes.
wow, great bikes sir!
Those rear shocks look sharp. They look like an inverted style from what I'm used to seeing. Beautiful bike. Makes me want to put my bmw r80 back together! Good weather is almost here.
The original shocks were rubbish. These are not inverted, they have a remote oil reservoir to keep oil temperatures down, which can also be air pressurised to stop foaming.
Quite expensive in their day.
Cheers Rob
Ah so they're oil reservoirs. I thought they were nitrogen reservoirs like some ohlins dampers use. Cool!
thanks for sharing. have it washed, packed & shipped to me in mother country asap. I'll test it for you this Summer, while you suffer Winter. happy to help.
Curse you Rob, now I'm thinking about getting a bike again.
Looks and sounds great. A shame we didn't get to hear it starting.
I was going to film that, but it's garbage day, green bin, and everyone had their lawn mowers going.
Lucky to shoot the video at all. It's tough getting these videos out at times.
BUT, I have an action cam in the post, and I intend to shoot some on board video Will get more then. Maybe even start up :)
Cheers Rob
G'day Rob bloody nice bike, can't beat the sound I suppose they are Conti pipes. When I lived in Adelaide I had a RGS 1000 Laverda great riding though the hills, Lobathal run and up around Kangaroo Creek Dam. I love Italian bikes, but as you said about the Ducati when she was built, I Had problems with mine not the most reliable machine but could it move and corner another great vid I could talk for hours about the things kind regards John
Hi John,
Yes, they are Conti replicas. I must have ridden every tarmac road in the Adelaide Hills many times over. Italian bikes have their moments (electrics poor) but the duck has generally been very reliable.
It must have done a lot of Km's before I got it as the bronze valve guides were worn out (badly on the front cylinder) as well as the bottom end. I knew the guy that originally bought it, and he was one rough dude.
Laverda were an expensive machine out of my reach. The big triples were stump pullers for sure. I also liked the early Guzzi's and have always wanted to try one. Being tall was a bit of an issue though, and I didn't fancy fried knee caps so passed on that as well.
Pity the Laverda demise. Mmm tasty SFC anyone ? They did bring out those later twins in the late 90s, which seemed quite good, but that also stopped. Maybe the name will be resurrected again some day.
Cheers Rob
xynudu thanks for the reply yes the triple RGS cost me $7000.00 back in 1986 there's a bloke in Qld Reds who works on them, back in Adelaide it was only Dr Desmos and I didn't think much of them anyway Rod talk to you soon kind regards John
Thats some nice old iron
Awesome bike Rob.... might bump into you at the Cudlee creek cafe one day (or somewhere in the hills) I'll be on my Commando, keep an eye out :-)
How much is bike rego in SA these days? They're both looking good.
Too much. I have to check. It's always been a total rip off.
I will only do them for three months - during the good weather.
I did them annually up until other commitments pushed riding to the back. But it's all go now.
Purely recreational riding these days.
Rob
I'm purely recreational as well but I have 6 bikes on full rego here in WA and from January this year all regoes have had another $100 tacked on them taking them to $355, I'm in the midst of a move to Adelaide and I just was interested to know what it will cost when I have to rego them i SA.Cheers.
That's a lot of bikes. I used to have a couple of chook chasers as well, and riding those in low gear down a quiet country road was just as good as a high speed blast on a sport bike.
Just different modes for different roads. Still like dirt bikes. Quad bikes don't look safe to me.
Cheers Rob
NICE!
she runs good Rob , Thumbs up man !
Nice bike
my mate had a 860 when I was in my twentys and it blew up as well. I ride a Triumph America, well realy just look at it in the shed like you.
They all blew up. I used to go to a lot of bike races, and when the Ducati's retired it was always "electrical problems".
But in actual fact the engine has magneto ignition, and that side of things is very reliable.
"Electrical problems" really meant bottom end failure, and it happened a lot, until the Dharma bottom end came out.
I will be back on the road very soon.
Cheers Rob
Hey there,
Do you know what the timing is on the pistons on the 860GT, whether there is a delay or whether it's a full 360 degree rotation?
What timing are you talking about ? I don't understand your question.
She is beautiful!
Ride it while you can, mate. I just turned seventy, and they took away my bike and semi-trailer licences. Just 'cos I'm an old fart.
Put a heap more miles on them while you can, because the bureaucrats, aided by medical tests, will stop you in your tracks.
Hi Greg,
Sorry to hear they took your licence. Govt can't leave well alone.
Too many doo gooder activists stuffing it up for everybody.
Cheers Rob
Nice machine but it would be nicer if I were riding it. =(;-)
Nice Bikes
That's not how you test the front brakes you hold the brake on and burn the rear tire off
He He. I would never do something like that.
Rob
I bought one of those 860GTs as an 18 year old in Perth.
Always said it was great ride but a piece of junk to own 😃
You've got to be slightly masochistic to own any Ducati ;)
Rob
So you're the dude who went to Salt Lake salt flats and screwed all the women! I saw your movie! Seems your machine has a new paint job from the old one in the movie. You Aussies are fast movers even when chewing the nitro pills! Take care. Doug
He He. Funnily enough the bikes they used in the Worlds Fastest Indian at Boneville were actually Ducati engined replicas (late model 900 SS ).
That was a good movie, although the dude was actually a Kiwi.
I've never been to Boneville, but I've been busted more times on that old 860 than anything else I've ever owned ;-)
Cheers Rob
Nice!! :-)