Description
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
The 851 was a quantum leap for Ducati, with a new trellis frame, 4-valve heads, liquid cooling, fuel injection, and a dry clutch – it formed the blueprint for decades of Ducati Superbikes. As Steve Rose put it in his 851 Buyer’s Guide for Bennetts, “Ducati’s 851 might not have shifted many units but it still managed to change motorcycling, save Ducati and make Superbike racing ten times more interesting.”
Throughout the run of 851/888s, Ducati released seven “Special Production” runs designed for homologation purposes. The second model (SP2) was introduced in 1990, and it came with a bored out 851 motor (from 92mm to 94mm) to create the legendary 888 engine. That year, Ducati won the WSBK Championship with Raymond Roche (and they’d win the next two years as well with Doug Polen).
The larger motor featured bigger valves and it was paired with the close-ratio transmission and upgraded camshafts from the 851 Superbike Kit.
The chassis was heavily upgraded with full floater Brembo cast iron rotors as well as Ohlins suspension front and rear.
Rounding out the upgrades is an aluminum subframe and solo rear seat.
Estimates vary on how many SP2s were built — noted Ducati expert Ian Falloon says 380, for example — but sources typically cite between 350 and 500, making this more rare than the SP3/4/5. Today we’ve got #303.
This example is VIN: ZDM885000303. It came to Iconic as an import from the UK.
The odometer shows 32,035 miles.
Maintenance:
Per the seller, the bike “had been looked after for many years by a competent mechanic at Silverstone. The bodywork has a fresh paint job by Dream Machine. It’s partially through a restoration and has a lot of potential in the right hands — it could use a frame respray and some detailing on the engine area.”
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, replace the battery, give the bike a detailing, and make a list of recommended repairs.
Our service department notes the following in their condition report:
Gas Tank Condition: Ok
Tire Year Front: 2416 / Rear: 2416
Tire Life Front: 80% / Rear: 80%
Tire Press Front: 30 / Rear: 29
Brake % Front: 70% / Rear : 70%
Suspension Leaks – Front/Rear: None
Hydraulic – Front/Rear/Clutch: Fail
Drive Chain: Poor
Engine Oil – Level: Okay, Quality: Bad
Coolant: Level Okay, Quality: Bad (Bad odor)
Low Beam: OK
High Beam: OK
Passing Light: Ok
Turn Signals: OK
Tail Light: OK
Brake Light: Front brake switch missing
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: OK
Horn: OK
Battery: 12.6V, New
Test Ride: None taken, bench run on video
Notes:
• Rear shock leak
• Water in clutch reservoir
• Coolant leak
• Some oxidation present on radiator, oil cooler, and engine
• Paint in need of touch-up on frame and engine
• Clutch slave leaking
• Broken carbon
• Right fairing mount broken
• Aftermarket horn
• RCS front master cylinder
• Bike runs but having difficulty idling (fuel injection)
Recommended:
• Belts
• Valves
• Oil + filter
• Coolant
• Hydro x3
• Tires
• Chain + sprockets
• Shock rebuild or replace
• Clutch slave rebuild
• Electrical diagnosis (signals + brake light)
• Running condition diagnosis (no idle)
• Detail
• Coolant leak diagnostic/repair
Modifications:
Dream Machine re-painted bodywork
RCS front master cylinder.
Not pictured: aftermarket horn.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Michelin Pilot Power tires with date codes of 2016 and 2416.
The sale includes one key.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Ducati is offered on a clean Oregon title. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any 851 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
