1975 Ducati 860GT bevelhead, beveldrive

Offered here is a clean and mostly original Ducati "Bevelhead" 860GT. The previous (original) owner repainted it long ago in the color you see now. It has held up pretty well. but there are re-touched nicks here and there and fine cracks on the top of the tank. The frame paint appears to be original. I bought the bike four years ago from Bob Logue Motorsports in Pennsylvania. It belonged to Bob's personal friend. I have put about 400 trouble-free miles on it which is about average for me since I have too many bikes and I enjoy fettling them as much as riding them. This bike required very little. but some things bothered me and I fixed them. It needed the headlight rim and the kicker to be re-chromed. the instrument pods and tail light assemblies were incorrect so I sourced the correct parts. I installed new Bridgestone BT45s with new tubes and went through the carbs. It runs and shifts well. I last rode it on Feb. 8. Some modifications by the previous owner include a nice but not perfect set of genuine Conti mufflers and Akront alloy rims laced with stainless spokes. The seat was recovered with a beautiful hand-made. stitch-for-stitch accurate cover that shows no wear or blemishes. A second disc brake was added. and a nice Tommaselli handlebar was fitted with the wires inside as they should be. Time and money has been spent to keep this 860 as God and Giorgietto Giugiaro intended it. The styling of these masterpieces was controversial at the time and it still has its detractors among the ignorati. There are many examples of art that is ground-breaking and not well received when first revealed. When I venture out to various shows and classic rides it is always well-received and admired by younger Ducati riders if not the old roundcase codgers who have been complaining since 1975. Not many were made and fewer still exist in stock form since it is pretty easy to make a passable 900SS replica of these non-electric start models. I have a mint set of the LaFranconi mufflers that were standard equipment that could be purchased separately should the buyer desire. Buyer is responsible for all shipping costs. Final payment to be made and funds cleared before bike will be released.

Also published at eBay.com