My new 851

STANG

Hi All

Thought I should introduce myself (well introduce the new toy anyway). Picked up this 1993 851 on Saturday morning. Not had any fun with it yet - except Southwick tunnel - as just rode it home. Want to give it a proper look over, service and belt change first. Will have lots of questions coming I'm sure....the first of which is where do you guys prefer to buy your service parts (UK only please)? What attracted me to this bike is that it's pretty much standard, pipes, hugger, exhausts, still dual seat etc. etc. It's going to stay standard too, this isn't a project in any way. Don't like the modern Ducati stickers on the fairing so I might remove those, whereas the Fast by Ferracci ones I've not made up my mind on yet.

Having ridden bikes for 17 years this is my first non-Honda, so I'm sure it'll be a culture shock.

Are there any reasonable size meets down here in East Sussex or surrounding areas so that I can ask questions of the better informed - can't be worse informed.....

Cheers.

Ajt

Nice bike, love these with the 888 style rear section

Mr.R

Hi Stang,

That's a '92 model the last of the 851's, they came with bigger 33/29 valved more powerful heads and the updated bodywork that was the same as the later 888's apart from the decals/stickers.
The DOCGB are pretty active in your area, I use JHP/Ducati Coventry for most of my service parts.
Those DUCATI stickers on the fairing aren't modern, they're circa early 80's Bevel 900 MHR/Mike Hailwood Replica fairing decals.
The FBF ones are period kit, Doug Polen who won 2 WSB Championships on the 888's was entered by FBF who also tuned the bikes, he's the only WSB rider so far to have won 22 races in a season.
If you're not to worried about total originality? I'd leave them on as IMO they're a nice period touch.

Edit...The '92 models came with black wheels, 851's before this had white wheels jut a minor point.
My '92 had white wheels when I got it as an earlier owner liked the look But...I pretty soon sprayed them back to the original black as the white wheels get dirty just standing still, even before they get covered in road grime, chain lube and brake dust.

Steve R

aes1376

awesome grab, congrads...

STANG

Thanks guys, especially Mr.R for taking the time for a longer response.

I did know the Fast by Ferracci stickers were of the right age, which is why I hadn't made my mind up on them, especially as they visually break up the fairing. Thinking they'll stay for a while and see how I feel. Can't live with the other Ducati stickers as the typeface just looks wrong with all of the others.

I didn't know it should have black wheels, so that's something I'll think about. I had a VFR750 with white wheels years ago so can appreciate how much cleaning is involved, only for them to look dirty again by the end of the road (I had those powder coated black in the end). Don't know why these are silver as there's not much sign of them being repainted but I'll try to get a closer look as it needs a new front tyre.

Cheers

Paul

MarkT

STANG wroteThanks guys, especially Mr.R for taking the time for a longer response. I did know the Fast by Ferracci stickers were of the right age, Paul

Paul-

Do not wish to ruffle any feather's here but the FBF stickers you have are bit later- his early stickers were round.

RWG

Great bike

STANG

Update

Well, I've been a bit busy but have made some progress. I've changed the coolant and oil, so I'm learning my way around the bike a bit now. Looks pretty tidy and original under the fairings so I'm happy. Took it for a small ride and the speedo packed up so I've replaced the cable (with a 900SS one as recommended elsewhere on this forum - Thanks). The old cable was a bit shoddy so I guess it didn't like being disturbed when I had to have the front wheel out. Removed the mis-matched stickers and in my opinion it looks much better - so I thought I'd show you all. I've also taken off the seat cover as I think bikes with rear pegs but no seat look odd.

Still need to do the belts and I'm leaning towards putting the wheels back to black over the winter.

marvin

Looks great!
BTW, those wheels could be from a 900SS, a carby Monster, or a later year 888?. They look good just the way they are even if the '92 came with black.

Chris

Great bike

Mr.R

Hi Paul,
I think it looks a lot better without the 80's style DUCATI stickers on the fairing.
I'd leave the FBF ones in place they look right to me, although not the same as the FBF race bike that Mark pictured.
Years back I had some similar ones but instead of reading "Fast by Ferracci" they read "Fast as Fuck".

As Marvin's pointed out they may be 900 wheels, they might even be later lighter weight wheels which would be a bonus.
I'd still paint them black though for the reasons I posted before.
I differ from you on the look of the rear seat, I think the black pad looks all wrong with the seat cover removed, so much so that when I had a rear pad on my '92 I had it reupholstered in red vinyl, so that (IMO) it wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb when the cover was off the bike.

A word of warning here...
Be careful when removing refitting the cover as they're very prone to breaking at the mounting points, quite a few forum members have asked on here for a replacement after theirs have broken or even worse disappeared off of the back of their bikes whilst out on a high speed run.

Steve R

MJP1

STANG wroteHi All Thought I should introduce myself (well introduce the new toy anyway). Picked up this 1993 851 on Saturday morning. Not had any fun with it yet - except Southwick tunnel - as just rode it home. Want to give it a proper look over, service and belt change first. Will have lots of questions coming I'm sure....the first of which is where do you guys prefer to buy your service parts (UK only please)? What attracted me to this bike is that it's pretty much standard, pipes, hugger, exhausts, still dual seat etc. etc. It's going to stay standard too, this isn't a project in any way. Don't like the modern Ducati stickers on the fairing so I might remove those, whereas the Fast by Ferracci ones I've not made up my mind on yet. Having ridden bikes for 17 years this is my first non-Honda, so I'm sure it'll be a culture shock. Are there any reasonable size meets down here in East Sussex or surrounding areas so that I can ask questions of the better informed - can't be worse informed..... Cheers.

Nice bike. I have the very same bike, and I love it! My favorite bike tio ride.

hindsight

Lovely bike - I've got a set of black wheels from a '92 in my garage that I'll be listing for sale shortly (along with a 50mm SP exhaust system)

STANG

Mr.R wroteHi Paul, I think it looks a lot better without the 80's style DUCATI stickers on the fairing. I'd leave the FBF ones in place they look right to me, although not the same as the FBF race bike that Mark pictured. Years back I had some similar ones but instead of reading "Fast by Ferracci" they read "Fast as Fuck". As Marvin's pointed out they may be 900 wheels, they might even be later lighter weight wheels which would be a bonus. I'd still paint them black though for the reasons I posted before. I differ from you on the look of the rear seat, I think the black pad looks all wrong with the seat cover removed, so much so that when I had a rear pad on my '92 I had it reupholstered in red vinyl, so that (IMO) it wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb when the cover was off the bike. A word of warning here... Be careful when removing refitting the cover as they're very prone to breaking at the mounting points, quite a few forum members have asked on here for a replacement after theirs have broken or even worse disappeared off of the back of their bikes whilst out on a high speed run. Steve R

Thanks for the compliments everyone, and for the taking the time for the longer reply Steve.

I agree on the stickers, as now that I've got used to them I think the fairing will look a little plain without them. With my riding style, stickers saying 'Fast as average might not have the same tone as your old ones, but it did make me laugh.

Also agree on the wheels, so will look into getting them powder coated black over the winter. (Hindsight let me know if you're selling wheels and how much you need for them, but I'm guessing it'll be pricey compared to getting mine sorted?). Out of interest is there any way to identify whether the wheels are 900SS, original or later? When getting them sorted I'll change the wheel bearings are they all the same or do I need to be careful what I buy?

Not going to agree on the seat though (2 out of 3 ain't bad!). I ride with my wife on the back quite often so I'll leave the cover off. I don't want to damage the cover more by keep fitting and removing it, as it already has a small crack in it. The seat can stay black as well as I prefer it matches the rider's seat, and the bike's plenty red enough already! You already know my thoughts on seat covers on bikes with pillion pegs

Whilst here, I do have another question. Is the rubber clutch cover gasket the same as 916s etc? Mine has been removed and the cover spaced out, presumably to make the clutch run cooler, or just be noisier. I'd like to check and clean the clutch, as it is occasionally grabby, so that would seem to be the time to re-fit it. Any hints or tips? Are any special tools needed?

Cheers

Paul

stafford

STANG wroteWhilst here, I do have another question. Is the rubber clutch cover gasket the same as 916s etc? Mine has been removed and the cover spaced out, presumably to make the clutch run cooler, or just be noisier. I'd like to check and clean the clutch, as it is occasionally grabby, so that would seem to be the time to re-fit it. Any hints or tips? Are any special tools needed? Cheers Paul

Hi Paul, looking better with the extra stickers off. As for the clutch cover, yes to running a little cooler but more so to let the dust out. You'll find it accumulates in the foot peg area, but if you feel the need to fit a new gasket from a 916 or just about any dry clutch model they fit. If you clutch is getting grabby it's time for a clean, so fairing off and dive in. Also check the condition of the spring plate as this can also affect clutch pick up. Also if the weather is fine I'll be at Box Hill this Sunday although I'll be on the Monster.

TipsyNipper

An alternative to a clutch clean out is a set of Barnett clutch plates. Expensive but they transformed my 851. Available on eBay they seem to average about £145 plus post. best upgrade I have done.
Great bike 😄
Pat

STANG

Wheels are done!

Got the wheels back on yesterday. Well chuffed so thought I'd share it here. Cosmetically it's where I want it now except for a proper clean. Unfortunately time's been in incredibly short supply lately so it still needs the clutch clean and belts done. Not riding weather here anyway at the moment (I think our local councils have been trying to make beach scenes out of the roads with the amount of grit they're spraying!!!).

RWG

In short, Spot On

wgsvintage

Very nice bike. Think it would look cleaner w/o both FBF and Agip stickers though.
Bill

Jammin851

I like the look. I also painted the white wheels of my '91 black. Good Luck with your new ride.