1983 Ducati 600cc Pantah

• One of the finest Italian middleweights of its day
• Only 20,755 kilometres (12,897 miles) from new
• No longer subject to MoT testing or road tax
• Last used on the road in October 2024
• Walk-around video of machine running available

The first of Ducati's 'new generation' of desmodromic v-twins, the Pantah made its debut in 500cc form at the 1978 Cologne Show. Designed by the great Fabio Taglioni, the Pantah engine abandoned the Bologna company's traditional shaft-and-bevel-gears camshaft drive in favour of toothed rubber belts. With 46bhp available at the back wheel, the Pantah was capable of close to 120mph, which was some going for 500cc four-stroke in those days. A straight-tube trellis frame and triple Brembo disc brakes ensured that the Pantah handled and stopped as well as it went in a straight line. New for 1982, the 600cc version incorporated a number of improvements in addition to a 6mm wider bore, including a stronger gearbox, hydraulic clutch, Bosch ignition, and Japanese switchgear and instruments. "The handling and roadholding are quite exceptional, there's nothing like a thoroughbred Italian for finding out how a motorcycle should really handle," observed Bike magazine.
This Pantah 600 currently displays a believed-original total of 20,755 kilometres (12,897 miles) on the odometer, which seems to be confirmed by expired MoT certificates on file. The current MoT is valid until 26th March 2025 and the Pantah has covered only 4 kilometres since the test. (MoTs are no longer required and road tax is no longer payable.) Stored in a dry garage and started regularly, the Ducati was last used on the road in October 2024 and last ran on 29th January 2025. There is a walk-around video of the machine running, which may be viewed on the Bonhams website. It is worthwhile noting that Keihan Systems 'Conti' silencers are fitted and are said to sound fantastic (they cost £488.89, see file). It should be noted that two Spitfire Ball fuel additives were placed in the tank in October 2024.

Accompanying documentation includes current and (copy) previous V5C Registration Certificates; sundry invoices/receipts; and the aforementioned MoTs. There is also a Ducati workshop manual on a USB stick. It should be noted that the frame and engine number prefixes have been omitted from the V5C and HPI, which records the previous colour as blue. The vendor's age and arthritis have made riding the Pantah difficult, hence the reason for sale.
Offered with key