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. 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: ZDM888S000871. The seller acquired the bike from a private party in the UK.
It is #290.
The odometer shows 34,374km (21,359 miles).
Maintenance:
The seller reports that the previous owner “had the front forks completely rebuilt and there is a £600 receipt from Coventry Ducati. In addition, it has had new belts, a new front caliper with seals and pads. It has also had new Samco hoses and coolant. In the last 10 months it has had oil, filters and plugs changed. The front and rear wheel bearings have been replaced.”
Moreover, he notes that “the rear tyre is new and the front tyre has done around 10 laps on another track bike. The bike has a new rear master cylinder and rear disc.”
In preparation for the listing, the seller had our service department perform a safety inspection. They note the following in their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: OK
Tire Year Front/ Rear:3618/1418
Tire % Front/ Rear:85/85
Tire Press Front/ Rear:33/34
Brake % Front/ Rear :90/90
Front hydraulic fluid: MARGINAL; 1.5%-3% MOISTURE
Rear Hydraulic Fluid: MARGINAL; 1.5%-3% MOISTURE
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid: MARGINAL; 1.5%-3% MOISTURE
Oil: OK
Coolant: OK
Low Beam: OK
High Beam: OK
Turn: OK
Tail Light: Non-functional
Brake Light: OK
Plate Light: OK
Kill: OK
Horn: Non-functional
Fork: OK
Shock/s: OK
Final Drive: OK
Battery Standing Voltage: 11.2
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: Not charging
Notes:
• Runs well
• Not charging
• Battery low
• Belts + valves (LAST SERVICE 2 YEARS AGO @ 33450KM)
RECOMMEND:
• Clutch and brake fluid flush
• Tire replacement
• Charging system diagnosis
• Tail light diagnosis
• Possible battery replacement
Modifications:
Marchesini wheels.
Öhlins steering damper.
Corsa rearsets and rear brake caliper.
Corsa carbon front fairing V section.
Samco hoses.
Tail tidy, aftermarket signals.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tires from 2018.
The sale also includes a “very rare GP lever costing £1200 brand new in the 1990s,” a set of carbon fibre fittings, hanger brackets, and heat shielding for Termignoni exhaust, a rear taillight lens, as well as a range of nuts, bolts, washers and screws.
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 Washington 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 SP3 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
