Featured Long Time Duc Owner; Short Time Forum Member

Eh up,

I've just joined up. Largely prompted by the need to date the one on the right. But also in recognition that these two old things will need a bit of specialist knowledge if they're to be viable in the coming years. This pic taken this summer and was the first time either had seen the light of day for about 8 years.

I've owned the 750SS from new. It replaced an old slab-sided (under-powered) 600SS which I was relieved of by some light-fingered ^%$%&^*.

The 750ss was my daily commuter and showed signs of that before it went into storage in the mid 00s when I went to America. The 851 came back with me as a souvenir and promptly went into storage with its younger brother. A flat in London wasn't the ideal place to keep it!

Anyway, finally I've got the means and now the need to put one of them back on the road for commuting purposes- partly to save my ageing car. Obviously I plumped for practicality... with the 851.

I had wanted an 851 from the moment I saw one on holiday in Ibiza in 1993. It seemed to materialise and imprint itself on my conscience like a vision. Until that point I thought bikes were pointless unless they were for getting air on over a tabletop. That 851 changed everything and about 2 months after that glory revealed itself I was doing my CBT on a Honda MBX80.

An 851 was out of reach at that time and for many years to come. By the time it wasn't I wanted a 748- it seemed more practical- but insurance computer said 'No.' I settled for the 750SS in the pic. Not a terrible compromise. And I think they've aged really well.

Anyway, fast forward about 6 years I was looking for a Guzzi to ride around San Francisco while on a medium-term work secondment. Fate led me to an immaculate, low-miles 851 in San Jose at a knockdown price. Cheap enough to buy it, ride around bits of the US -through all kinds of weather as it happens- and sell it if I couldn't get it home. Luckily I managed to bring it back when I returned to the UK about 5 years later.

Anyway, fast forward - again - a few years, following a fettle from a local Ducati specialist and some new rubber, the 851 is in fine form. As the circuitous ride home and the ride to and from the MOT centre attests. Nothing like British B roads to bring out the best in Ducs IMHO.

It's currently sat under a cover while I do the necessary with DVLA. The plan is to have it registered, insured and ready for spring. My commute over the West Pennine moors awaits.

As for the 750SS, it looks in good nick and at some point I'll probably put that back on the road. Sadly the Lancia Montecarlo that went into storage with it hasn't fared so well. But that's Italian exotica for you ;-)

Sorry that was a long post but I often think the most interesting thing about our bikes is the stories of how they came to be. You'll be the judge of that.

P.s. If anyone is fretting about the 851 being under a cover in this weather, don't worry it comes off every couple of days to get rid of the moisture. It'll soon be back in dad's garage for the deep winter while the paperwork completes.

 

I'm a bit light on Lancia pics even though I've owned it for 23 years! These are pics of pics from 2001. Don't be cloning my reg!

The one below is more recent. It's in a state now. Not helped by the sunroof shattering for no reason other than winter.

It went into my dad's garage in 2007 when I went on that aforementioned work placement to the US. I was meant to be there for 9 months but it turned into 5 years. Sadly my mum lost the key so it stopped getting turned over and it's wasted away. I refuse to sell it though. I reckon £10k(ish) will sort it out but a career move into the arts is never going to yield that so I'll keep buying lottery tickets in the hope that when I do win I'll still be able to get in and out- it's basically a go kart! Not quick through the gears but like the Ducs once it's going it moves quickly when you want it and -as long as it's not wet- it is incredible around the twisties. It does require care though. The back end steps out and I'm guessing you know that the brakes on this version are massively over-powered for the front end. One day...

 

And that is how the trouble began... I can't help buying Italian exotica. Started with an Alfa 33 Cloverleaf Veloce. I was warned...