Designed by Fabio Taglioni, the TT2 was unveiled in 1981 and it was an instant success in competition. Per Ducati: “Tony Rutter, won the Tourist Trophy with a Pantah 500 SL. Ducati believed he could win the title, so it gave him a TT2 to ride and race at Ulster. Tony ranked second, winning the world title for that category. At the end of the season Massimo Broccoli won the Italian title riding a TT2. In 1982 the TT2 won the Italian title ridden by Walter Cussigh, while Rutter won again the world championship. Among other triumphs, the TT2 won a double and ranked first and second at the Isle of Man. Cussigh won the Italian title again, and in 1984 Rutter obtained the championship title for the umpteenth time.”
Ducati offered 20 examples to the public in 1982 and 30 more in 1983. They were impressively similar to the four-time World TT2 championship winning-bike piloted by Tony Rutter, and are truly a landmark bike in the illustrious history of the Italian firm. As you would expect for a factory-prepped race bike, the components were top-of-the-line at the time:
Marzocchi magnesium fork and Paioli shock suspending Campagnolo cast wheels and Brembo brakes.
Verlicchi frame (weighing just 15.4 pounds).
597cc engine (81 x 85mm) derived from the Pantah with 10:1 compression, larger valves, exposed belts, and magnesium primary drive cover. It made a reported 78 hp at 10,500 rpm.
As Cycle magazine said about the legendary TT2: “It’s a crime you can’t ride this motorcycle on the street – and it would be a crime if you did. There’s one hell of a supersport motorcycle here, lurking about a millimeter below the surface of that red paint.”
This example is VIN: DM600SL000022, Engine #: DM600SL 700128. The seller acquired it in 2021 from a Bonhams auction – at the time he had us pick it up, do some service work, and ship it to him.
There is no odometer, true mileage is unknown.
Some history on this bike is available from the previous auction listing:
“TT2 no. 022, this machine, was on display at the factory’s Museo Ducati in Bologna for years until purchased in 1998 by Daniele Casolari of Feel Racing srl, who was then working with Ducati Special Parts. He maintained the bike at the Museum in Bologna until it was purchased in 2012 by the vendor. Of note, at that time, the bike was delivered to Rino Caracchi (the “C” in NCR) who recognized the bike as one he was contracted to produce for the Ducati factory racing efforts in the 1980s. The bike comes with a signed statement from him testifying to that fact. Caracchi then did a final service and basic restoration on the bike at that time. Since 2012 it has been maintained in a private collection. It is featured in the book, Ducati: The Official Racing History by Marco Masetti. It is an amazing example of an important bike in the history of Ducati’s racing efforts.”
In addition, this bike includes a Falloon Report created for the current owner in 2022. In said report, he notes that “the provenance of this motorcycle is quite impressive.” A previous document “states that in February 2013 Rino Caracchi of NCR in Bologna overhauled the carburetors, motor, brakes, electrics, tank and starting system.” Caracchi is shown with this motorcycle in the below photo:
In his report, Ian adds: “This particular Ducati TT2 is notable in that all the correct components are retained. Notably the braced front fender, Campagnolo magnesium wheels, Bosch ignition system, and Brembo Gold Series brakes. Even the original plastic Verlicchi throttle is present. The level of originality is quite remarkable for a forty year old racing machine. Champion rider Walter Villa rode a TT2 in Italian Championship races during 1983. This is extremely similar in specification to the machine under investigation and could possibly be the same bike.”
“Although the engine in this Ducati TT2 is a 1981 example, as the rest of the motorcycle is 1983 specification it is easier to consider this a 1983 version. The engine has also been upgraded to 1983 specification, with Malossi-Dell’Orto PHM 41mm carburetors. In all other respects this motorcycle is one of 30 TT2s produced for 1983, and the frame number would make it the second of this series manufactured. As far as the racing history is concerned very little information is available but it was likely to have been entered as a quasi factory supported team by NCR in Italian F2 events in the early 1980s. Because the F2 class became dominated by four-stroke four cylinder and two-stroke machines the racing life of the TT2 was relatively short.”
“This example seems to have been Italian delivered and maintained by the legendary Bolognese Ducati race shop NCR. It’s [sic] provenance is thus exemplary and with so few manufactured this TT2 is highly desirable an collectible.”
Maintenance:
When we picked the bike up on his behalf in 2021, the seller had us flush the hydraulic fluids.
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection this week. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Slightly overfilled
Engine Oil Quality: Dark (Age Unknown)
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: N/A
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: N/A
Final Drive Condition: Worn
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: Battery Quick Disconnect spade lead
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 80%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 85%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 09/23
Tire Date Code Rear: 12/19
Tire % Remaining Front: 95%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 80%
Tire Press. Front: 40 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 39 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.96V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: Unknown
Running Condition: Runs Well on Bench
Test Ride Completed: None Taken
Test Ride Distance: N/A
Notes:
-Could use oil and filter change due to age unknown and dark coloration if going to be ridden
-Black Button under triple tree is for starter engagement
-Battery has a quick lead disconnect to kill bike
Modifications:
Later model TT2s came with a 16″ front wheel. This bike includes the 16″ but it is currently equipped with the 18″ front wheel from an early TT2 model for better tire choices.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Continental ContiAttack tires with date codes of 1219 and 0923.
The sale includes a 16″ front wheel, a rear wheel stand, Falloon Report, and some historical photos.
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 TT2 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
