Hello all.
I am new to this forum, although I have been a fly on the wall for some time now. I have negotiated my way into a 75 860GT. I will be anxiously waiting for Saturday morning to come. Thats when I make the trip to pick it up. Seems to be a pretty original and low mile bike. Seeing will be believing. I knew I wanted an older Ducati. I've done a bit of research on the matter and figured the 860 would be a good toe dip into the bevel world without having to mortgage my soul. My current stash includes a Mk3 Norton, T140 Triumph, BSA A50, etc. I really wanted something a little more exotic. I'd love to hear some feedback from an 860 owner or two, or maybe some folks who know a bit about them. Thanks for your time.
JD
New owner of an 860GT
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BevHevSteve
- SITE OWNER
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- Location: Lafayette, California
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welcome aboard JD, please post some photos of your new 860 when you pick her up on sat and keep us informed on your progress.
Steve Allen (925)798-BEVL[2385] Ride'm, Don't Hide'm
Ducati/Euro Spares -> https://Store.BevelHeaven.com
I had an 860GT before I bought my 900SS and put lots of miles on it. They are tough, reliable and underrated machines. I graduated to Ducatis from Triumphs and found that they would keep going and beg for more under conditions that would make brit bikes cry for mercy.
1979 900SS
Fredericton, NB
Canada
Fredericton, NB
Canada
I happily made the 8 hour round trip to pick up the 860. I was very pleasantly surprised to find it incredibly original. The shocks are not, however. The rest seems to be, by all rights Ducati. It has a wonderful patina, and from a guy whos first inclination is to restore something, This one will not get touched. It'll get new tires, and replacement shocks, but not much else. I'll get some pics posted tomorrow so you all can comment on it. 8700 original miles. It has the braded wire and lead on both exhaust flanges and on the under side of the case. Seems to run pretty well, too. After a new spark plug on the horizontal head, it pulls like a freight train. More fiddling in the morning. Cheers.
JD
JD
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BevHevSteve
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sweet
Steve Allen (925)798-BEVL[2385] Ride'm, Don't Hide'm
Ducati/Euro Spares -> https://Store.BevelHeaven.com
"new" Ducati
Hey all-
Here are some pics of the 860. Just in time for Halloween. Man this thing is orange! My favorite color for this bike. It's a blast exploring this new machine. Whole different game than the Brit stuff. I have been having a bit of difficulty with the horizontal cylinder. Its got nice, fat spark through the RPM range, but doesnt want to start firing until the air mix screw is out about 3 turns. Normal? Doesnt sound like it. I am new to Dells, though. I pulled the bowls and cleaned the main jets, air mix and idle screws. I set them back to what the rear cylinder was set at, as that one seems to run well. Had to turn the mix back out 3 to get it to go. The pipe got nice and hot immediately, but when I pulled the lead off to see if it would change anything, nothing happened. I pulled the rear and it shut down. The previous owner said he rebuilt the carbs, and I have no reason to suspect otherwise, but Im sure they still need some tweeking. Thoughts? Thanks.
JD
IMG]http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr27 ... C_0005.jpg[/IMG]
Here are some pics of the 860. Just in time for Halloween. Man this thing is orange! My favorite color for this bike. It's a blast exploring this new machine. Whole different game than the Brit stuff. I have been having a bit of difficulty with the horizontal cylinder. Its got nice, fat spark through the RPM range, but doesnt want to start firing until the air mix screw is out about 3 turns. Normal? Doesnt sound like it. I am new to Dells, though. I pulled the bowls and cleaned the main jets, air mix and idle screws. I set them back to what the rear cylinder was set at, as that one seems to run well. Had to turn the mix back out 3 to get it to go. The pipe got nice and hot immediately, but when I pulled the lead off to see if it would change anything, nothing happened. I pulled the rear and it shut down. The previous owner said he rebuilt the carbs, and I have no reason to suspect otherwise, but Im sure they still need some tweeking. Thoughts? Thanks.
JD
IMG]http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr27 ... C_0005.jpg[/IMG]
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nottonight68
- BLABBERMOUTH
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- Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 1:15 am
- Location: Adelaide S.A.
i had a 860gt in 76-you may want to check the stator-mine would only idle on one cylinder unto advance kicked in.on the other hand when my ss stator died (a few times) i lost one pot totally
also with the position of the ignition switch,if you have a key tab etc on your key it will get burnt by header pipe
enjoy your new purchase
cheers steve
also with the position of the ignition switch,if you have a key tab etc on your key it will get burnt by header pipe
enjoy your new purchase
cheers steve
JD, You may have an ignition stator taking a dump. They were pretty crappy when new and don't age well.Try gapping your plugs down to about 020" in. it will reduce the load on the ign. Also check to see if you have any air leaks at the intake manifold /cyl. head joint the rubber gaskets shrink and leak.
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Craig in France
- Paso 906
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:58 pm
- Location: Montpellier, France
Hi JD,
Good to see one in such good condition - I used to have a 860GT, but the later one with the electric start (which was not very useful!). Try not to let the CEV handlebar switches get too wet, btw. They don't like it ...
If you want to replace that cracked instrument housing - they all did that, even when new - try Damien Birch at http://bevelrubber.com.au/cart/index.ph ... ucts_id=56
Maybe Steve A. also sells them? Steve?
P.s Better not to pull a lead off a plug when the engine is running - I seem to remember the transducer boxes don't like it. But someone will correct me if I'm wrong :-)
P.p.s Your mixture screw problem may just be a question of that carb not being as clean as it needs to be / you think it is :-) In particular, there's a small passage that provides air to the mixture screw that is easily clogged. Go here for the Dell'Orto manual for more explanation:
http://www.filejumbo.com/Download/E9A7373D7DA0566F
Good to see one in such good condition - I used to have a 860GT, but the later one with the electric start (which was not very useful!). Try not to let the CEV handlebar switches get too wet, btw. They don't like it ...
If you want to replace that cracked instrument housing - they all did that, even when new - try Damien Birch at http://bevelrubber.com.au/cart/index.ph ... ucts_id=56
Maybe Steve A. also sells them? Steve?
P.s Better not to pull a lead off a plug when the engine is running - I seem to remember the transducer boxes don't like it. But someone will correct me if I'm wrong :-)
P.p.s Your mixture screw problem may just be a question of that carb not being as clean as it needs to be / you think it is :-) In particular, there's a small passage that provides air to the mixture screw that is easily clogged. Go here for the Dell'Orto manual for more explanation:
http://www.filejumbo.com/Download/E9A7373D7DA0566F
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BevHevSteve
- SITE OWNER
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- Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2004 8:53 pm
- Location: Lafayette, California
- Contact:
Steve Allen (925)798-BEVL[2385] Ride'm, Don't Hide'm
Ducati/Euro Spares -> https://Store.BevelHeaven.com
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Craig in France
- Paso 906
- Posts: 974
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 3:58 pm
- Location: Montpellier, France
Thanks all for your help. Im sure I'll drop back in pretty often. Love the site and the genuine response from everyone. Thanks! In the mean time, my throttle cable snapped yesterday. Kinda puts a damper on the diagnosis process. I hate it when I cant play with my toys when I want to. I ordered a new set from here. Paid some extra shipping to get here asap. Cheers.
JD
JD