Description
Additional photos of this Ducati 851 SP3 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. 534 of them were under the 851 SP3 moniker. The SP3 retained several key parts from the SP2 – the 888cc motor, close-ratio transmission, Ohlins suspension, and Brembo brakes…
…but it got additional upgrades such as a carbon fiber front fender, remote master cylinders, and stronger clutch/crankcases. The upgrade of black wheels can be subjective. What’s not subjective was the power bump to 111 hp thanks to a 11:1 compression ratio.
This example is VIN: ZDM888S*000622. The seller is our friend Kaming Ko – he had Iconic Motorbikes acquire it for him from the original owner (Tighe Scott, a NASCAR driver) via a Mecum auction in January 2020. He then had us bring it back to our shop and have Steve verify that it starts. Once we did that, he took it to noted Ducati specialist Tony Forster for a refresh with the intent of making it closer to OEM.
The odometer shows 40,086 kilometers (24,908 miles). Kaming has not ridden it. He’s letting it go as he found a lower-mile example in Italy.
It is #139.
The Mecum listing mentions that this bike has a Fast by Ferracci 955cc big bore kit. Kaming states that the engine case did not have a number on it so there was no way to confirm what the internals were. “The engine cases were replaced because the previous ones did not have engine numbers. We did not replace any internal engine parts other than the belts. The 916 throttle bodies are still mounted as when I received it, because according to Tony it runs better than the SP3 throttle bodies we attempted to use due to the 955 kit.”
Maintenance:
April-July 2020 – repaint bodywork, powdercoat one Marvic wheel, install new timing belts, flush the coolant, flush the brake fluid, install new valve cover gaskets, install front and rear carbon fiber huggers, check valve clearances (all valves shimmed at 0.20mm opening, 0.10mm closing), clean throttle bodies, change oil and filter, fit pressure regulator and new hoses.
November 2021 – replace tires, install new throttle cable, set TPS, check/balance throttle bodies, re-route main fuel line, swap fuel injectors. He also installed an aftermarket voltage regulator – it does not have a low voltage setup so the low charge warning light on the dash does not work, but Kaming is sending a video showing that the battery is being charged correctly, we will include that video soon.
February-March 2023 – replace fuel pump, install new battery, install new voltage regulator, swap back to 916 throttle body setup, fit new fused relay.
In addition, Kaming had custom fork seal collars and an aftermarket (very close to OEM) helmet lock made. He also sourced a new OEM clear windscreen.
Modifications:
Fast by Ferracci exhaust.
Steel braided brake and clutch lines.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Pirelli Diablo Rosso III tires with date codes of 1421 and 1421.
The sale includes three keys.
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 Pennsylvania title. Have any SP3 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
