Buying A Ducati 851 1990 Superbike

I would leave it original. Although the usd showas are more adjustable there was not much wrong with M1R. The Factory raced them in 88. There’s a firm making modern internals for M1R(not cheap tho) and maxton used to convert them but they remove the damper adjuster on rh slider(and again £££).
Original M1R 851’s could become the one to be with eventually(of the base models) as its the 1st red 4V, and many have been converted to showa.

 

Some info from Ian Falloon.
I have a spare copy of this book for sale, 4th edition 2006. £10+3pp

 

M1R forks now change hands for about £1000; but as suggested by others, I'd leave this one as it is, the fact it hasn't been 'improved' is a rarity in itself.

 

i have to say the white one intrigues melow numbers?

 

1st production model. Tricolore.
2 versions. Strada and ‘kit’ (ltd with race parts). 16” wheels on strada which made handling ‘interesting’.

 

whats the production numbers on the tric?

 

Sent you a pm. Cheers, Keith.

 

From what Bonhams say about 520.
300ish strada and 200ishkit (the no reqd to homog for racing i believe)

 

I would start with an email to the factory to see what info they can furnish you with and then take it from there...

 

Re: 'how many made?' - there are differing opinions as to accuracy but this is a start:-

Ducati 851/888 Production


STRADA Total Production
original styling
851 (1987) : 7 prototypes
851 (1988) : 304 "Tricolor" + 207 "Kit" 511 -
851 (1989) : 751
851 (1990) : 1366 ---> 165 US market
851 (1991) : 1200 ---> 255 US market

Terblanche update

851 (1992) : 1402 ---> 255 US market
888 (1993) : 1280
888 (1994) : 300
888 SPO (1993) : 290 ---> US market only
888 SPO (1994) : 100 ---> US market only

Total: 7,207 1,065

SP (Sport Production)
851 SP.2 (1990) : 380
851 SP.3 (1991) : 534
851 SPS (1991) : 16
888 SP.4 (1992) : 500
888 SPS (1992) : 101
888 SP.5 (1993) : 500

Total: 2,031 -

RACING - not street legal
851 Racing (1990) : 20
851 Racing (1991) : 50
888 Racing (1992) : 35
888 Racing (1993) : 46
926 Racing (1994) : 32

Total: 183

Total production 851 / 888 models: 9,421 1,065

 

What is the title of this book please?

 

This is 4th edition. Goes up to 999 D16 S4RS etc.(now sold)

5th edition rossi on cover, goes up to 1198 diavel. 6th edition due soon.

 

Thank, I'll try and get one.

 

this looks a bit naughty nice £15500 overseas

 

That looks nice and original bike and yes the pipes look original to me albeit a bit tatty, get on the 888 forum I think I saw someone was selling a nice set of NOS pipes.. Having been a Ducati fan for many years and owned most of them I got rid of all my others because I was not riding them...nothing sounds or rides like these bad boys (especially the sp range) , they got this one right first time, enjoy

 

Hi guys.I am also a new member.
I was looking for some help re ignition pick ups for my 1989 851 strada, and received an almost instant response- thanks guys.
I have owned quite a few ducatis over the years including two 906 pasos, two belt 900ss's,two gts's( current one rebuilt from crank upwards as a MHR replica), and a st4 which is fitted with a 900ss belt engine, pantah swinging arm, twin shocks, yamaha forks and aprilia wire wheels. This bike is up and running and rebuilt as an Imola replica. Modern bike in my shed include a KTM RC390 and BMW R1200s- all these bikes bring me great joy.
The 851 has been with me for about 6mths. I had been in storage for ten years when i bought it.
After new belts and full service, rebuilt rear shock, fluids etc, I did about 500mls on it until disaster struck.
On my way to an Italian biking weekend in the south of Scotland, the engine locked up solid at 60mph- ended up dropping it at 10mph, as i couldn't control the skid. Luckily I stepped off unhurt.
After returning home and picking up another bike( friends monster) I finished the weekend then investigated what had happened.
Seems that the alternator nut on the end of the crank had slackened allowing the rotor to move and finally split almost in two.
It then locked into the alternator windings and stopped the engine dead.
So Engine out- heads and barrels off, crank checked- ok thankfully.
front barrel and piston replaced as plating had was damaged.
valves lapped in, new valve stem oil seals fitted and clearances sorted.
Engine, frame and bodywork repainted, and now waiting for fresh oil, filter, water, and exhausts fitting then I can get this beauty back on the road again- cant wait.