Eddie's Narrow Case Ducati 250 Mark 3

[Eddieb]

This is my project that I've slowly been collecting bits for.

When I bought it a BSA Bantam tank in British Racing Green with Ducati stickers was fitted. I've been unable to find the correct tank for it but the one I have now is off a scrambler of the same generation and is the same shape but shorter and narrower. I have no idea what the seat is off but for the time being I will go with that as it fits with the scrambler tank. If I fitted an original/repro seat there would be a gap of about 8cm between the seat and tank due to the shorter scrambler tank.

Someone has butchered the wiring loom as it has several chocolate block connectors and in some places all of the wires are green housing wire. Over the past year I've collected the tank, new wiring loom and various ancillary bits and pieces so I'm hoping once I sort a few other parts of life out I will be able to put some effort into it early-mid next year.

This bike has never been registered in NZ. I have the original UK ownership papers and the documentation from when it was imported into NZ though there are few little discrepancies in the paperwork that may or may not cause issues.

The first discrepancy is that the bike was originally registered as 1972 in the UK. It can't be a '72 as the narrow case stopped production in 1968 in favour of a wide case, I can prove this by using references from various authoritative documented history books available though I think when the VIN is done they use a date of manufacture value found stamped on a component of the bike in which case the data of manufacture is stamped on the front forks behind where the front brake is mounted.

The 2nd is that is was registered as a 350. It quite possibly had a 350 fitted when it came out of the factory but it now has the 250 motor fitted. The UK rego papers don't have any frame or engine numbers on them but the import docs do. Who ever filled out the import docs wrote the same number in both fields, but Ducati's of that age didn't have matching numbers and a lot didn't have frame numbers at all. Hopefully the engine number not matching the import docs doesn't cause too many issues.

[Woodman]

Good Eddie,

I will be interested in the re-vinning process when you start that.

Does it run?

[Eddieb]

Good Eddie,

I will be interested in the re-vinning process when you start that.

Does it run?

Yes I've had it running though the crankcase gasket leaks a little more than one should so I will probably need to split the cases and so get it rebuilt.

Apparently it's also been converted to 12 volt at some stage.

[Eddieb]

Here's what an original one might have looked like, I believe the flat seat is factory but not the hump.



The side covers are rarer than hens teeth. The last set I saw for sale were on Ebay. There were quite rusty and pretty rough and bidding was started at $750US. Road and Race in Aus were doing fibreglass reproductions but the aren't available anymore.

[Grumph]

Various points - i did the engine and sorted a damaged frame for a guy down here restoring a mach 1 about 6 years ago. It may actually be easier to find the bits to do yours as a US market 250 with non rearset pegs and the high bars.
Yes, toolboxes are still a problem...my guy sold off a good pair - on ebay of course...At the time someone in the US was marketing replicas in 'glass.
Carbs....leave the Amal on it...even if you could find/afford a good SS1 Dellorto, the Amal is more practical.
12V electrics - check it's not just the original generator with a rectifier giving 12V...not very satisfactory. 6V works well once either a later points cam is fitted or the dwell is altered on an original - too short a dwell originally.

One thing must be looked at in the motor - the bushes in the oil pump. Once worn there goes the oil pressure. Easy to make up and fit new bronze bushes. sort of thing I do.....

Carry on....

[Brian d marge]

The UK importers at that time , imported a job lot from ducati and built a few from the spares
I had a wide crank case 239 with the motor built by witty ducati
Green and white cams and twin plug
If its still got the motosplat ignition ,bin it as ell as the 6v if you intend to ride it
Also some were fitted with "green ' lining if its fitted with the grimeca brake....bin for them linings,,,
Can't add much more than was already said...
Oh ...don't trust the speedo hahaa:-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Stephen