Hello there Just joined this forum because I may buy a Ducati this week. I've had many british and japanese bikes over the years - and two BMW's - but never an Italian. While I think the 916 is the most beautiful machine ever made, I'm too old and scared for one of those. But a little 250 single….. Thing is that the one on eBay at the moment has a twin plug head (though only one's in use) and high compression piston so I'm wondering (a) is it guaranteed to be a pig to start (b) would a standard piston make a difference © what's the crack with the twin plug head? how standard was this? would adding a coil and second plug make it easier to start? (I'm not bothered about top end.) (d) wtf is the kickstart doing on the left anyway? Thanks for any help that can be offered.
Thanks for the welcome, the encouragement and the entertainment gents (?) Bit of info would be good though
I had a 250 single, admittedly as a youth and it was never too hard to kick, despite the left-side kickstart (I even managed to kick it over with bare feet when at the beach). High comp will make it harder but I doubt by much? Some of the larger singles (450) had a decompressor to help starting, maybe this could be fitted to a 250? As an aside I had a KTM 500 2-stroke with a left side starter and that was an absolute bastid to kick...
Hello, I have seen that bike on ebay and it looks pretty good. I have had a 74 450 since 1996 and know these bikes very well. If you want to chat about it call me on 07824-409711. Billy.
Just tried googling the twin plug head thing. From what I can make out so far the conversion would have required a twin outlet coil, and the conversion was purely to get a more complete burn. I daresay someone with some actual knowledge will be here soon to blow my theory out of the water:frown: Welcome to the forum anyway old cog
Cheers, fellas. Yes the twin plug version would need a second coil - or a dual output one. Usually done to achieve more complete combustion at high revs. Question is though: Is this an alternative (rare) original head or a mod? Someone taken a drill to it? I guess the double plug and HC piston make me fear it might have been a race machine with consequences - what's the worst?knackered crankcases? (Billy - your phone was off when I tried 10 mins ago. Thanks anyway and maybe I'll catch you tomorrow.)
As I read it the original twin plug heads had two different sized spark plugs - a 10mm and a 14mm - so I guess that would be one thing to check for.
Sorry I missed your call, early to bed and early to rise etc. Call me anytime today I have had a good look at the pics and would like to explain what I have noticed. Billy.
No, sorry mate, was just googling it. There are lots of ducati forums in the US, most are crap but they do tend to cover older bikes better. Just type your question straight into google and start searching.
Well thank you all for your welcome and good wishes - and technical advice. Mega thanks to Billy. Top fella! So … I bought it, but not got my hands on it yet. !!!!!!! (And that's Grandad to you, Young Kel.)
