1979 Ducati 864cc Mike Hailwood Replica

Registration no. KTM 33V Frame no. 900013 Engine no. 089441

• Landmark Ducati model
• Restored in the late 1990s
• Unused since restoration
• Dry of all fluids

A landmark model that kept Ducati afloat during the 1980s, the Hailwood Replica owes its existence to Mike's legendary Isle of Man TT comeback victory in the 1978 Production Race riding an ex-works NCR bike entered and prepared by Manchester-based Ducati dealer, Sports Motor Cycles. Out of top-flight bike racing for seven years and away from the Island for eleven, Mike took on and beat the might of the Honda works team to win the Formula 1 TT at record speed. Ducati lost little time in capitalising on this outstanding success, launching a road-going replica the following year.

Like the race-bike, the MHR was based on the production 900SS, but - inevitably - had much more in common with the latter than the former. Most obvious difference was the full fairing finished in red, green and white, complemented by a glassfibre tank and racing seat. In fact, on the very earliest examples the 'tank' hid a steel fuel reservoir, glassfibre being illegal in the UK for tanks. Mechanical changes were confined to lighter wheels, usually by Campagnolo, and improved Brembo brakes, while the MHR's performance was pretty much the same as that of the 900SS: around 135mph flat-out.

Destined mainly for the UK market, the first 200 MHRs came with two separate seats: one solo, the other a dual seat, whereas later versions had a single 'convertible' solo/dual seat. The lack of any side covers is another distinctive feature of very early MHRs such as this one, which also has the one-piece fairing used at that time.

Built in late 1979 and first registered on 1st February 1980, the machine offered here is identified by its frame number - '900013' - as the 13th Mike Hailwood Replica made (production commenced with '900001'). Invoices on file indicate that the Ducati was restored in the late 1990s while owned by previous keeper Mr Geoffrey Palmer; the works carried out including an engine rebuild by marque specialist the late Mick Walker. Unused since restoration and dry of all fluids, the Ducati has been owned by the current vendor since May 2003 and is described by him as in excellent condition. Offered with a V5 document and the aforementioned bills, it represents an exciting opportunity for Ducati enthusiasts to acquire one of these rare and iconic machines, ready for re-commissioning or display.