Ducati Cucciolo

[pete]

Cheers Greg! Yeah I think that's the spot for the tank, looks a little better than on the front tube for sure and it will be much easier to get a stable mount there also.

That sprocket has definitely seen better days, so hopefully I can buy a new one otherwise I'm probably going to have to get someone to engineer me a new one using the splines from that one. Those splines are in very good shape, it's just the teeth that are dead.

There's not a lot I can do on the motor at the moment unfortunately, but I can keep tearing down the bicycle wheels to work out spoke lengths etc. No spare $$$ floating around this time of year...

[pete]

Ok, first day of holidays today and I still haven't got my 450 back, so time to do something with the wheels.

I took some photos to make sure I could re-lace the spokes the same way.

Remember my plan now is for two bicycles out of the bits I have, one for the Ducati, and one I can actually ride to get some exercise... so both sets of wheels are getting attention; both the 28 x 1 1/2 and 28 x 1 3/8.

I decided to start on the 28 x 1 3/8 as they're the least critical.



I realised though that to get the wheels dismantled, I should pull the sprocket off. So using an eBook I was recommended to buy by Roger Musson (www.wheelpro.co.uk) I made what's called a chain whip to get the sprockets off:





While it should work as intended and appears to be good, I couldn't get the sprockets to budge on either rear wheel, so I simply persevered.

I have some spoke tools on the way which I was going to use to undo the nipples, but closer inspection showed me the spokes are not worth saving, so cutting was the quick way.

I did at least manage to partly dismantle the Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub that's currently on the 28 x 1 1/2 rear wheel so I could get to the spokes better, and I hope to be able to recondition this for use on the bicycle I can ride. I have the drums front and rear for the 28 x 1 1/2 wheels.





More lacing shots of the 28 x 1 1/2 wheels for future reference:





Then I grabbed the dremel, stuck a cut off wheel in it, and went to work. I was careful to hold the spokes as I cut them so the tension didn't cause anything to fly in my face.



(You can see the tips of my safety boots in the bottom of the pic...)



And then the same for the 28 x 1 3/8 wheels:



Cont...

[pete]

These ones had some sort of material tube protector around the rims, and unfortunately it served to hold moisture in and cause a lot of rust in there. I hope it's not too bad, and the front is much worse than the rear:





I ducked up the road a little earlier and got a bottle of rust converter, so hopefully I can arrest the progress now when I get some more time and prevent it getting any worse.

At this stage I'll be painting the 28 1 1/2 rims I think but I'll probaby get the 28 x 1 3/8 rims re-chromed as I suspect I'll use a front cantilever brake which will of course rub the paint off the outside of the rim.

[oldrookie]

Have to admit--my first reaction was, "What did you ever do to your Dad to deserve this?" but it is turning into a very cool project.

[pete]

Hahahaha thanks mate! I must admit there was a minute there when I thought the same... that was after he mentioned a Ducati single... but neglected to say it was a 48cc motor to be strapped to a bicycle frame

Now I'm really keen to get it done!

[Sci85]

Enjoying this build Pete. Looks like a lot of fun and what an interesting bike. I can't wait to see how well (or not) it runs.

[pete]

Cheers Sci... I can't wait either!

Just fiddling with what I can for the moment without spending $$$ and while waiting to start the shed.

Once the shed's done, the sandblasting and painting can start.

Once Christmas is done and dusted I hopefully can spend at least a few $$$ and start getting some engine parts together.

Still going to be a slooooooow project...

[coolshaft]

Just spotted this!
Super cool, fully frozen project!
I am a big Dookati fan.

[pete]

Cool... I'm still stuck on the shed thing at the moment but I'm very keen to get stuck back in and get this little Duc rolling!

[MLow]

Update? Wanna see/hear this thing.

[pete]

Unfortunately no progress to report... still trying to get the shed done... formwork is down and ready, just finishing the levelling so I can get the concrete laid. Unfortunately it's clay so when it's dry it's hard to work and when it's wet it's even worse... hopefully not too much longer and I can get stuck in!

[Charlie G]

I hate digging a foundation in clay. The best solution I've found is a eager 20 year old.

cg

[spyug]

The best solution I've found is a eager 20 year old.

Is there such a thing......and where do you find them?

[pete]

Hahaha yeah none of them here... I'm old enough to make two of them but that only makes me half as eager

[pete]

Finally finished leveling out the ground for the shed yesterday... formwork is definitely done too, and next pay includes budget for concrete.

All I need to do now is lay a bit of sand down to fill in some little spots, some plastic, steel reinforcing, and concrete time at last! Can't wait... should be about 3 weeks or so