1992/2012 'Ducati' Sports Motorcycle 900cc TT944 (see text)

Registration no. J269 RNB Frame no. ZDM906SC2-003884 Engine no. ZDM904A2C*003834*

• Hand-built with the blessing of Steve Wynne
• Certificate of Authenticity confirming it as no. 1
• Road legal

Whilst Grands Prix were being taken over by Japanese two-strokes, Ducati had discovered their niche in larger capacity Formula and endurance races. Famously, with Mike Hailwood on board, Steve Wynne's Sports Motorcycles team took the 1978 Formula I Championship. Under Steve Wynne, Sports Motorcycles had graduated from dealers in modern motorcycles, particularly Italian ones, to become sponsors and race preparation specialists during the 1970s. In later years, Steve had utilised the skills of Glyn Robinson, a talented engineer from Yorkshire to solve some of the many problems inherent in motorcycle racing. Among his many skills was that of making race-type frames to house Ducati's wonderful engines. In 2012, Glyn decided to make a complete bike to showcase all the TT1/TT2 products that he, with the blessing and assistance of Steve Wynne, was producing under the Sports Motorcycles banner for use in classic racing.

He made the frame from 4130 chrome-moly tubing, the total weight of frame and swinging arm being 11kg. A 900SS engine was obtained, and construction was started. Period Marzocchi magnesium forks were used; the petrol tank was made in alloy; brakes are AP Lockheed billet calipers, with adjustable master cylinder; wheels are 17-inch Dymags. The engine was later completely rebuilt by Paul Klatkiewicz of Ducati Technical Services in Wakefield. The rear cylinder head was reversed, new 41mm Dell'Orto carburettors were fitted, as was a new Spider clutch. A big-bore, free-flow stainless steel exhaust system was tailor-made for the bike. The machine was commissioned by the present owner, who has kept it since completion. A certificate of authenticity, signed by Steve Wynne and Glyn, accompanies the machine, verifying it as number 1. However, soon afterwards, Glyn decided to move his operation to New Zealand to join his mentor Steve Wynne, and whilst the Sports Motorcycles components are still manufactured, no more complete machines have been made.

Since delivery, the TT has covered only approximately 58 test miles, and was last started in 2017. The owner now has decided to pass the machine to another enthusiast, as he wishes to pursue other projects. A new owner should only need to fit a battery, carry out light re-commissioning, basic safety checks, and obtain a new MoT before taking to the road. Documentation comprises a current V5C, two old MoT certificates, the aforementioned Certificate of Authenticity, a bill for the engine rebuild, a scan of a Classic Bike article, and a copy of Practical Sportsbikes magazine featuring this bike. Prospective purchasers should note that the year of the machine listed on the V5C is 1992, this being the year of the donor bike.