Introduced in 1987, the base model 851 made Ducati relevant in motorcycle racing again, earning a WSBK championship in 1990 and launching a series of V-Twin superbikes that would last for more than three decades. It was a quantum leap for the Bologna-based manufacturer. Sporting a new trellis frame, the 851cc L-Twin featured fuel injection, liquid cooling, a dry clutch, and desmo 4V heads, producing 104 horsepower and 52.5 pound feet of torque. Top speed was 155 miles per hour.
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.”
Taking it one step further was a tiny batch called the SP1 (Sport Production Number 1). Per Ian Falloon in his book, “The Complete Ducati Story,” the SP1 was designed “for the Italian Sport Production racing series for street-based motorcycles. The 851 Sport Production used a similar engine to the 1988 851 Superbike…with a higher compression ratio of 11.5:1. It produced 122 bhp at 10,000 rpm at the crankshaft. Claimed dry weight of the SP was 397 pounds.”
“Apart from a small badge on the top triple clamp, the 1989 SP was virtually indistinguishable from the 1989 Strada, which address many of the criticisms of the 1988 Strada.”
Haynes Great Bikes on the Ducati 916 states of the SP1 that “reputedly 110 were produced. However this isn’t evident in Ducati’s official production figures because they were included with the regular 851 Strada production.”
This example is VIN: ZDM851S3000069, Engine #: DGM52641DM.
Known history includes import documentation from Reno Leoni in 1989 through JFK. He then sold it to George Jonas in Toronto, Canada on June 5th, 1989 under the consideration of it being “suitable for AMA Pro-Twin Class racing.”
It was later sold to Bar Hodgson in September of 2001. A 2009 email from Bar details some of the early history: “I know the bike to be unmolested because Reno Leoni bought the bike from the Factory in Italy for Jimmy Adamo to race in America. However, he happened to show up at Mosport race track in Ontario, Canada with Jimmy and the bike just as it had been delivered from the Factory. My friend George Jonas persuaded Reno to sell the bike to him for Terry Speigelberg to race in Canada. The bike saw a few track days but otherwise remained untouched as George’s plans were delayed and they ended up acquiring an 888 for their purposes. So the bike remains as delivered from the Factory except that I was able to acquire a set of the earlier style black chromed reverse megaphones, which I installed and put the original ‘can’ style mufflers into storage.” Bar then sold it to the current owner in May of 2012.
The odometer shows 1,603 kilometers (996 miles).
It is production number 69.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform:
-New battery
-Replace engine oil and filter
-Replace coolant
-New radiator cap
-Hydro 3
-Rear brake master cylinder rebuilt
-New timing belts
-Throttle bodies synchronized
-New tires
-Fuel tank professionally cleaned
-Fuel system rebuilt
-Forks serviced
-New chain
-New horn
-New air box lids
-New air filter
-New spark plugs
-Replaced chain slider
-Front brake light repaired
Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Professionally Cleaned
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: New
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: Ok
Coolant Quality: New, <0.150 mV
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New, <1.5% Moisture
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New, <1.5% Moisture
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New, <1.5% Moisture
Final Drive Condition: New
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: Ok
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok, New
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 90%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 90%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Light seeping
Tire Date Code Front: 10/25
Tire Date Code Rear: 22/24
Tire % Remaining Front: 100%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 100%
Tire Press. Front: 34 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 36 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: 12.5V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.92V
Running Condition: Ok, runs on bench
Test Ride Completed: Yes
Test Ride Distance: 5 Km, unit operates as designed
Notes:
-Light seeping at rear shock
Modifications:
Aftermarket rear seat pad (original was misplaced).
Battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Pirelli Rosso IV tires with date codes of 2224 and 1025.
The sale includes one key.
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 851 SP1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
