“Tour de Garages” - Post 6: The Ducati Superbike 888
SPO
David, for a guy
tracking this bike down on the net you were very close given the clues you had to work with ... excellent guess!
I've come to the conclusion that I haven't been touring a garage at all - I've been wandering through the ultimate toy shop. Ken's garage couldn't be called a garage, after all, one just parks a vehicle in a garage. It's not a 'man cave,' there's no beer fridge or big screen T.V. , it's a place where Ken goes to play in his free time - and that's where I found him yesterday when I needed to ask some more questions about the Ducati.
Ken calls this one his Ferrari
of motorcycles. Another Italian, (Ken has a thing for Italian motorcycles,) it’s
a 1993 Ducati Superbike 888 SPO
Desmoquattro. This is her good side. Currently the other side is missing a ferring as she receives some TLC.
What makes this one special? According to Ken, it was build exclusively to race in the USA. U.S. racing laws required a minimum number of bikes, of a particular model, be produced in order to be eligible to race in the country - 400 of this model were manufactured to meet the requirements.
And here’s Ken's Gadget of the Day: A motorcycle
cruise 2 control (demoed on the Ducati of course.) It simply slips on the
throttle and is held in place by friction. Open the throttle, slip the arm forward with your thumb to lock in place against the brake lever - but roll the throttle forward to decrease speed and you override the throttle lock (easy peasy). (Keep in mind, for safety, a throttle lock "should not be used in traffic or hilly locations. They are meant to give your wrists a break when travelling on long straight stretches.)
And now for a real challenge ... Next
The half black paint job is original - but just wait 'til you see the fender paint - they only used this color on one model (and it ain't black or red or burgundy (Richard) - hint, hint!)
The peanut valve covers give it away as a BMW airhead and the touch or red paint in the upper right suggests a sport model maybe early '73 R90S.
ReplyDeleteHow about Daytona Orange '74-'76...
ReplyDeleteOnce again - You nailed it Richard - Good eye! A '75.
DeleteDamn, I'd guessed 900SS too...
ReplyDeleteI watched Raymond Roche win the 1992 World Superbike champs at Manfield (NZ) in the first Superbike race. He then blew it up while absolutely thrashing it leading the second race. I've got some pics somewhere...
Ultimate toy shop, that sounds like an accurate description. Such neat bikes.
ReplyDeleteNO KIDDING - fun to look at.
DeleteKaren:
ReplyDeleteI like the lines of Gentle Italians, caressing them with my eyes, touching their curved surfaces, but their names . . . I forget
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Okay Bob ... so how can I reply to that one? Those Italians are sexy no matter what their name.
DeleteI'd have to agree; this collection is a fine one. Does Ken get a chance to make them go from time to time?
ReplyDeleteCoop - they all, for the most part, with a few exceptions, run. Does he get to play with them? A few for sure (watch for his favorite ride next.)It is a matter of insurance. My little cruiser is economical, but as Ken says anything with an S or Z in the name, and anything with CCs over 650 and the price is astronomical regardless of years of experience or age. So, to answer the question - he picks and chooses - a couple at a time - he gets to have fun.
DeleteToo funny, I ordered a Go Cruise Sunday night. Got a message it was shipped yesterday. Looking forward to seeing how it works on some of those long flat stretches.
ReplyDeleteI'm not good at this game, but I'm still paying attention :)
Thanks Circle Blue - As for the Go Cruise, it's the first throttle lock that I think I might like ... many of the others look and feel a bit cumbersome and/or in the way and not safe. This one looks slick.
Delete