Frame numbers/types

customhead

Hi there all. Being new to the forum (as I and a friend of mine have both just bought 1988 tricolore 851`s here in Japan) I was wondering if there is a way to find out exactly what they are. His has the braced rear swingarm and some other mods and mine has had a few things done to it too. How do we find out the actual manufacturing number? For example is the bike 85 of 250 made that year or something similar? Thank you all and I look forward to being part of the community. Sean.

ps. the tricolore is mine, the other is Pete`s

Mine is frame number ZDM851S1-850301.

guy851

Tricolore Frame number

From my racing manuals I find:

For 1988 Tricolore models

Strada - Frame numbers 850051 - 850350
Kit - Frame numbers 850073 - 850222

Engine numbers similar but not identical, the factory did not fit matched number engine/frame numbers.

Here in UK Ducati customer services will confirm if engine/frame numbers were fitted together and manufacture year and model, worth a try over there as well.

From a quick look at the pics frames/forks and discs all look right for 1988 851's but the fairing on both bikes are wrong. The side panels were made to fit complete separate indicator/mirror units and the indicators were not moulded into the frame. Its a common modification as the mirrors were rubbish and the early fairing panels are almost impossible to replace with originals as it all changed for 1989 with mirrors up by the screen.
The red white and green looks like it has original 16" Marvic wheels with alloy rims? Not sure on the red bike

Have a look on both bikes, just under the front spark plug cap there should be some additional manual stamps with A and or C + a number indicating Cam and Valves and head skim and possibly 888 kit barrels

Hope this helps

Be Seen - Red White and Green

customhead

Thanks for the info Guy851, you have been very helpful.

Ive just checked with my friend and it is now clear hes a lucky fellow;
his frame number is 850075!
Now the proud owner of a Kit model 851.....bastard! 😏
And only 2677kms on it too!

Just went downstairs to look at Petes bike and it has A1 stamped on the front head.
Mine is not here right now so I will check on that later.

As you can see from the photos, both our bikes have the later model fairings swapped, both paint jobs altered in their own way and his has a 17'' fitted to the rear. He also has period NISSIN race calipers fitted up front. Mine has later model Brembos up front.
Sadly it seems the previous owner changed the lovely kit exhausts to some Japanese custom carbon cans. I wonder where those reverse megaphones are now?

Where would be the best source of info on the Kit models as I would like to research the essential differences between the two bikes and apart from the manuals available on the site is there a Clymer or equivalent maintenance manual available for these bikes?

thanks for your time and help, Sean

Waz

851 Kits X 2

HEY SEAN

CHECK THIS LISTING OUT IT IS ONE OF MY TWO 851 KITS THE BIKES ARE 100% CORRECT IN DETAIL MAY BE A GOOD GUIDE FOR YOU

GUY851 IS CORRECT HE KNOWS THE MODEL AS DO I THERE WAS ONLY 207 KITS AND 347 STRADA'S EVER BUILT WHICH MAKES THEM A VERY RARE BIKE ALTHOUGH THERE ARE A LOT OF MYTHS ABOUT THEM.

WAZZA FROM OZ

customhead

Nice Bike Wazza! hope you get what you want for it.

Just finally got down to see where my 851 is being kept and have a look at it.
All pretty good except for the smell of a full tank of manky fuel. Im now a bit worried that fuel pump and injectors could be a problem.
Quite busy right now so wont have time to give it any real attention for a few weeks; anyone have ideas on what problems I may be encountering or what I should be looking for before I give the beastie a start up?

One other thing Guy851... what does A1 stamped on the front head signify?

cheers, Sean