1993 Ducati 851 Superbike

• Only 13,518 miles from new
• 100% standard and original
• Recent engine rebuild at Ducati Coventry
• Featured on the Motor Cycle News 'dream garage' stand at 'Motorcycle Live' 2023

One of the most influential motorcycles of recent times, the Ducati 851 Superbike restored the fortunes of the Italian company and paved the way for a highly successful family of superbikes, the final (pre-Panigale) example being the 1098 of 2007.

In developing the original 851 Desmoquattro, engineer Massimo Bordi created one of the finest motorcycle power plants ever. By the mid-1980s, Ducati's existing air-cooled Desmodue twins were approaching the end of their development, so Bordi started with a clean sheet in creating their water-cooled, 8-valve, fuel-injected successor. Ducati's trademark desmodromic valve actuation system, which closes the valves mechanically rather than relying on springs, was retained, as was the 90-degree angle between the cylinders. Wrapped around this outstanding Desmoquattro engine was a frame, consisting of an intricate trellis of straight tubes, whose design would become a Ducati trademark. Only one paint scheme was available at first: silver-grey frame with bodywork in the Italian national colours of red/white/green, hence these models' Tricolore sobriquet.

Riding the factory prototype, Marco Lucchinelli had won the Battle of The Twins (BoTT) race at Daytona in March 1987, and Ducati then spent the rest of the season on development prior to the production version's launch at the Milan Show in November. Two versions of the 851 Superbike were available initially: the 851 Strada and 851 Superbike Kit, the latter being the first of many limited edition 'homologation specials' produced to satisfy World Superbike Championship requirements.

This 851 Superbike was first registered 29th March 1993 and has covered only 13,518 miles from new; it is a 100% standard and original, just as it left the factory. A sum of £3,850 was spent recently with Ducati Coventry on a full engine rebuild, including new belts (bill on file). The engine did not need rebuilding, but the crankcase finish let down an otherwise immaculate motorcycle. The crankcases have been refinished to the original colour and this 851 is now described by the private vendor as 'perfect'. Some idea of the attention to detail may be gained from the fact that all the original fasteners were re-plated to factory specification while the bike was in the workshop. The Ducati is offered with an original owner's manual, factory workshop manuals, sales literature, receipts and a V5C document. The 851 has belonged to the current vendor for three years and was one of 10 bikes featured on the Motor Cycle News 'dream garage' stand at 'Motorcycle Live' at the NEC earlier this year. This must be one of the very best examples in the UK.