Originally a 1965 250 Scrambler, this Ducati was built by Mike and Candie Hurley of Vintage Desmo to race in the American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA).
There is no VIN on the frame. The engine # is DM250 98946.
There is no odometer, true mileage is unknown.
The owner purchased it to race in AHRMA but eventually decided that it was too nice to do so. He ran it once for a couple of blocks around a Ducati dealership that he owned, after deciding not to race it he kept it on display in the dealership for 8-9 years and is now hoping it finds a home where it will be used or enjoyed on display. He believes that his short ride is the only mileage the motor has since it was rebuilt.
The history of this bike and the rebuild work is well-documented here on the Vintage Desmo site. We highly recommend that interested parties take a detailed look at the link, though we’ll summarize some highlights below: “A buddy found it in a long neglected barn in Boulder Colorado along with two other scramblers and several boxes of parts. I struck a deal for one bike and a spare engine. This is what I brought back to the shop:”
“The engine took a while but we went for all of the hop-up parts to try and keep this bike competitive with the Hondas in AHRMA.” Here is Mike’s build list:
“Arias 12.5:1 piston
DLC coated wristpin
Fully ported and flowed head by master head designer Jim Comstock
Big stainless valves with new custom made seats
Full roller treatment to the rocker pins
Ditched the hairpin springs for coils and titanium retainers
Full race cam
No flywheel, no stator, lightened clutch basket with a higher primary drive ratio
We will run points through a Dyna coil with total loss electrics
36mm Delorto PHF carb with a hand made manifold (thanks Dan!) and Malossi venturi
I made the exhaust system from stainless with parts sourced from Cone Engineering.”
“I decided to make this bike a little different from the other Ducati racers I usually see. I love the race bikes of the mid to late fifties and the 200 Elite has always held a spot in my heart. So this bike is going to be an Elite look-alike racebike.”
“The tank and some of the other fiberglass bodywork is from Airtech streamlining. There’s an amazing powdercoating shop near me that can do paint-quality powder finishes and they are quite good at metallics and matching. I had them mix up a special gold color in exactly the shade I wanted and dropped off the frame. Meanwhile I took the glass tank to a place up north that specializes in chrome-like finishes on non-metal parts. When I got the tank back from Xtreme Chrome I spent quite a bit of time (and money on materials) masking and painting the fairly complicated scheme on the tank only to find that the chrome all peeled off with the masking tape. I took the tank back and had it refinished a second time and this time everything worked as it should and I had no problems with the chrome. I have to say the finish is beautiful.”
The front brake setup is a modified 4 leading shoe from a Suzuki GT750 Water Buffalo.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, drain the old fuel, clean the bellypan, replace fuel lines, install a new fuel filter, clean/tune the carb, change the engine oil/filter, test/charge the battery, recondition the spark plug, and clean/adjust/lube the drive chain. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Fail
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: New
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A, Air Cooled
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A, Cable
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Ok
Headlight High Beam: N/A
Headlight Low Beam: N/A
Passing Light: N/A
Parking Light: N/A
Turn Signals: N/A
Tail Light: N/A
Brake Light (Front Switch): N/A
Brake Light (Rear Switch): N/A
Plate Light: N/A
Horn: N/A
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 80%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 70%
Forks: LH Weeping
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 39/11
Tire Date Code Rear: Pre-2000
Tire % Remaining Front: 75% Cracking
Tire % Remaining Rear: 75% Cracking
Tire Press. Front: 32 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 33 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.65 V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: None
Running Condition: Ok, runs on bench
Test Ride Completed: None taken
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Tires Installed:
Front: 90/90-18 Avon Road Rider
Rear: 110/80-18 Avon AM22
Notes:
-Fuel tank is fiberglass
-Liner in fuel tank is peeling
-Shorai Battery [LFX09L2-BS12]
-Has headphone jack plugged into jack
-Oil leak, residue all over the bottom of the engine
-Rear tank rubber broken
RECOMMENDED REPAIRS
-Engine oil leak diagnostic/repair
-Tachometer battery replacement
-Clean and reline fuel tank
-Tires and innertubes
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Avon tires that have aged out.
The pictured stand is not included.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Ducati is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
