New Member

firefly_1965

Hello all,

I am a new member to this forum and have been logging in regularly to check whats happening in the world of 851/888 ownership, and i must say i have been impressed by the level of help and friendly advice given by fellow members.
Anyway, i have managed to take a few pics of my latest aquisition, a 1994 888 strada. Its a bit rough around the edges, and i will needs loads of bits and pieces to bring it back up to the standard i prefer, everything from missing bar ends/spilt fairing/cracked mudguard/welded radiator/overheating/damaged fuse panel holder...........the list is too long and its depressing thinking about it all.
The bike was owned a few years back by Paul Smart, and i dont know what he did to it, but bloody hell does it go like stink. I put a set of Micron race cans on it recently.....100 quid off ebay.......thats all i can afford at the moment. And i didnt need to replace the standard eprom, it runs beautifully. Anyway, i have attached a few pics........the sunlight makes it look nicer than it is. will post more as my long road to former glory goes on.............oh and my last bike was an 851 on which i covered 50,000 miles in five years, will post some pics of that beauty next time

Firefly

stafford

Hell I've seen worse, welcome along.

loony888

welcome, that looks like it will scrub up ok, don't worry too much, there's plenty of helpful folk here with lots of spares to scrounge.
the black wheels and yellow hoop say it's a '93 though.

paul.

firefly_1965

Thanks Stafford/loony,

Thanks for your kind comments, i must admit, even though i have been a big fan of the 851/888 range for a while and had a 750 paso (terrible machine,nothing but trouble) and my favourite bike ever a fully restored 1990 851, i didnt really know much about the SP range.
The SP4..................what a machine, just absolutely gorgeous, i want one so badly, just have to find that 10.000 spare quid. I must admit i think its better looking than than the SP5, i have heard alot of people waxing lyrical about the SP5, but for me its the SP4.
Will check log book to see what yr it is 93/94..........thanks loon
I rode up to Silverstone to visit my very good friends the Baines Bros, and they seemd pleased with my purchase, engine was tight according to John.

Firefly

stafford

firefly_1965 wroteI rode up to Silverstone to visit my very good friends the Baines Bros, and they seemd pleased with my purchase, engine was tight according to John. Firefly

Of course they're pleased you're probably about to spend some money with them 😁
In sunnier times we have the odd Ducati ride out into Oxfordshire, do you want me to give you a shout when one comes along?

Stokely

Welkom firefly nice bike. And i'm one of those persons that waxing lyrical about the SP5😄

griff851

Welcome, It won't take long to bring it up to speed. What else is there to do during winter?

Griff

firefly_1965

Yes that would be great, sun or no sun..........i'm always up for a spin as long as its not p....g down

philthy

Welcome Firefly

Your bike looks fine to me, but don't forget it's not scruffy, it's like mine, it has a 'fine patina to it'. That's what those in the classic car world would say, to describe a car that has been used and driven as it should be, rather than just polished every weekend 😄

Phil

Dr NCR 888

Oh yeah!

Welcome,

Thats nice 😄

I agree with philthy it has a nice 'lived in' look about it and yet still mighty sexy.

Slinks away with more 888 porn........ 😉

750four

firefly_1965 wroteThanks Stafford/loony, The SP4..................what a machine, just absolutely gorgeous, i want one so badly, just have to find that 10.000 spare quid. I must admit i think its better looking than than the SP5, i have heard alot of people waxing lyrical about the SP5, but for me its the SP4. Firefly

Welcome to the site Firefly. Your bike is not so bad! The thing about 888s is that they're nearly all falling into the hands of enthusiastic owners these days, so they're all being 'refurbished' in some way or other. What's more, their rarity means you may well get back the cash you spend on it when you do come to sell.

As to the SP4; you don't always need to spend £10,000! I've just posted a link to mine in the classified section. Take a look:

http://www.ducati851and888.com/showthread.php?t=867

Steve

carbonf4

firefly_1965 wrote...........the sunlight makes it look nicer than it is...........

Hi Firefly,

I'm glad to hear someone got some sunlight this "summer". Welcome to the forum. The 888 dont look so bad - you'll have it knocked in to shape in no time.

firefly_1965

Hi Steve,

I only just read yr reply, which i believe you posted a few quite a few days ago. I agree, the reason i prefer the SP4 over the 5 is the graphics and much more muscular stance of the bike, it just looks that much meaner, whereas the SP5 looks like a pared down model. As for the suspension, most riders would prefer Ohlins over Showa any day, its as if Ducati were emptying there parts bin before the introduction of the 916.

In 2001 i bought a fully restored 1990 851 from a chap in Chester-le-Street, i bought it with 25,000 miles on the clock, and regretfully sold it five yrs later with 72,000 miles on the clock. It didnt miss a beat during my ownership...........i'm trying to locate it through the club, no luck yet.

Any luck with selling the SP4.............i hope it goes to a good home. Please win the lottery...........lol

Firefly