Ducati Cucciolo

[pete]

I was up Tamborine last weekend and there was a lot of BSA's. I dont know what for, but there was some nice old bikes.

That would've been a sight Tim! There's something about a bunch of old bikes out and actually being ridden that's just awesome...

Pete - a handy site to check is www.ducati.ms - they have a Vintage section - and there's a bunch of pretty clued up guys on the site, who are generally very willing to help out - either with info and/or parts.

I know they'd appreciate your rebuild tale and pictures too!

Thanks Steve! I've been pointed there once or twice but have resisted joining so far... don't get enough time to get on here much at the moment so another forum will be awkward. However that may have to change once I actually get moving on this properly.

In theory I just bought a pair of Malvern Star forks off eBay but I won't really know until they get here if they're right or a waste of money... at least they were cheap!

[Mark Harrop]

Man, this thread has got me looking for an old cruiser frame I can put one of those little chinese buzz-bomb engines in...there are some pretty cool bikes out there

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=fvwp&v=MyWUskJMRUo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ7iz6SZJpA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHHXwGF7wQY&feature=related

But the electric stuff is coming on pretty fast too...check this kid out on his home maded e-bike racing motorcycles...pretty cool

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leLZZK4llYE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=xP6fAPJa7cE

I'm surprised Ducati hasn't jumped on the Chinese bandwagon...a high performance four stroke is what's needed...again. Or maybe a hybrid...

[pete]

There's definitely some nice work done there Mark! I was tempted early on to go the whole board tracker thing but I'm going to stick to authentic as much as possible.

However a cruiser frame and Chinese buzz box certainly could be plenty of fun!

Those electric ones are mad... 100mph on a home made electric bicycle? And I thought I was nuts!

[skip]

I buit this for $350 including the bike...its a lot of fun and I already have over 1200 miles on it

[Steveb64]

Thanks Steve! I've been pointed there once or twice but have resisted joining so far... don't get enough time to get on here much at the moment so another forum will be awkward. However that may have to change once I actually get moving on this properly.

You mean you've just been playing? Looks to me like you're moving just fine!

[pete]

I buit this for $350 including the bike...its a lot of fun and I already have over 1200 miles on it

Nice one Skip, very well done!

What is that an old Schwinn or something else? It's the right style anyway.

You mean you've just been playing? Looks to me like you're moving just fine!

Errrr... yeah somethin' like that... haha

I'm experiencing frustration at present... bought a set of Malvern Star forks off eBay on Sunday, paid with Paypal within an hour of the auction ending, and the seller doesn't appear to have posted the forks and hasn't replied to my question yesterday as to when he intends to post them...

At least when I get some forks I can mock up with the wheels and guards again to make sure I've got enough clearance for the motor.

Then once that's done I can at least dismantle the wheels and start cleaning them up and trying to find suitable length spokes for the drum brakes...

In the meantime I'm just twiddling my thumbs again...

[tatu]

Then once that's done I can at least dismantle the wheels and start cleaning them up and trying to find suitable length spokes for the drum brakes...

In the meantime I'm just twiddling my thumbs again...

Pete, you will likely find that it will be easier to use ordinary spokes, cut them down and thread them yourself, easy and standard procedure save yourself a load of time and messing.
Here is an example, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hozan-C-70...item232235078e
Your local bike shop should have this sort of thing, or you could probably do it long hand with a die and stock.
I would imagine that the kind of spoke you would need for this would be one of the older fashioned kind that are a bit thicker and more robust.

[pete]

Pete, you will likely find that it will be easier to use ordinary spokes, cut them down and thread them yourself, easy and standard procedure save yourself a load of time and messing.
Here is an example, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hozan-C-70...item232235078e
Your local bike shop should have this sort of thing, or you could probably do it long hand with a die and stock.
I would imagine that the kind of spoke you would need for this would be one of the older fashioned kind that are a bit thicker and more robust.

Thanks Tatu, I'd actually considered reusing the ones I have and just cutting them to size but I wasn't sure if it was possible or not. Looks like it is!

That tool's a little pricey but compared to sourcing correct size spokes or getting someone to do it for me that's probably quite cheap...

I'm pretty sure the spokes are serviceable, just need a good cleanup like the rest of the wheels.

[skip]

My bike is based on A "Panama Jack" frame made by Huffy. Panama Jack made cruiser style bikes on the west coast til huffy bought them out. They are sturdier than most of your huffy cruiser's, with welded racks and thicker spokes etc. Notice the bottle opener on the front fork?

[pete]

Good stuff Skip, sturdy is what you want in a motorised bicycle!

I noticed something odd on the front fork but didn't pick it for a bottle opener, very cool! Not to mention handy

[Charlie G]

My bike is based on A "Panama Jack" frame made by Huffy. Panama Jack made cruiser style bikes on the west coast til huffy bought them out. They are sturdier than most of your huffy cruiser's, with welded racks and thicker spokes etc. Notice the bottle opener on the front fork?

That bottle opener is reall nice. I need one of those!

cg

[pete]

I *finally* got a reply from the eBay seller with the forks yesterday. Apparently he was in hospital last week and will post them this week. It'll be nice to get my hands on them and see if that fit well... then I can progress!

[tatu]

Here Pete , have a look at this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-BA...45722026083169

[Sci85]

Really cool project Pete. How will you come by new seals and stuff for something so old and rare?

[pete]

Here Pete , have a look at this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-BA...45722026083169

Wow and I thought my little Duc was covered in crud! That looks very complete though... you going to have a go at it? That could be quite rare and valuable with the right attention...

Really cool project Pete. How will you come by new seals and stuff for something so old and rare?

Thanks mate! Crankshaft bearings are ok and I have a source already, they're just not cheap. As for seals... well there's not much in the way of seals on there, but the one I know of is not so bad as there are modern replacements that will fit.

The one difficult (read probably expensive) bit is going to be the ignition coil I think, unless of course I can find info on how to re-wind it myself.