Skip to main content

LOT 288

1981 Ducati 583cc Pantah 600 Registration no. MSL 392X Frame no. DM600SL*700404* Engine no. DM600L*700461*

Sold for £2,300 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

1981 Ducati 583cc Pantah 600
Registration no. MSL 392X
Frame no. DM600SL*700404*
Engine no. DM600L*700461*

• New timing belts fitted 200 kms ago
• Early example of Ducati's belt-driven Desmo OHC

After the abandonment of the single cylinder machines, and the failure of the 'square case' 860 models to ignite any public interest, Ducati were in a difficult position. Whilst trying to revive their large bike market with the 900 models, they also needed a mid-range model for those who couldn't stretch their finances to the more-prestigious models. The answer was found in the 500SL, Ducati's first production bike with toothed belt-driven desmodromic overhead camshafts. They had previously used the design on small capacity racers, and it was developed as part of a planned modular range which would have common parts to several models. In the event, only the 500 SL Pantah was released in 1979. By 1981, the 500 was joined by its larger sibling, the 600SL, and by this time any teething troubles of the 500 had been ironed out, resulting in a far better, more powerful machine with more torque, and a maximum top speed of 126 mph. The clutch was hydraulically operated, and the frame was the (now trademark) trellis-type. Coupled with a re-styling, the company felt they were onto a winner once again.

Purchased by the vendor in 2009, MSL 392X has been used regularly since, along with other machines in his stable. The odometer on the kilometre speedometer shows the machine has covered 27,708 Kms, (17,217 miles) and this seems credible on examination of the old MoTs on file. During the present ownership, the vendor had work carried out by Ducati Technical Services, and latterly with a local Ducati specialist who replaced the timing belts in 2023 (invoice on file), since when the machine has covered only 200 kilometres. Now advancing in years, the vendor feels it is time to pass the Pantah on to a new owner who can use the bike on a more regular basis. Documentation comprises a current V5C, an old V5C, the aforementioned expired MoTs, various invoices, copy workshop manual and spare parts book, and sundry papers.
Offered with key

Additional information

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Motorcycles specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Auction Viewings

  • 10 October 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
  • 11 October 2026, 09:00 - 17:00 BST

Bid now on these items

Triumph T90 Racer
United Kingdom
Coming soon

Triumph T90 Racer

£1,500 - £3,000
1954 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1954 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport

£2,000 - £3,000
1978 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1978 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI

£1,500 - £2,500
c.1970 Moto Guzzi 850GT
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1970 Moto Guzzi 850GT

£1,500 - £2,000
1993 Triumph Speed Triple 995i,
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1993 Triumph Speed Triple 995i,

£1,600 - £2,400
1969, Norton Commando 750 Fastback Project
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1969, Norton Commando 750 Fastback Project

£1,500 - £2,000
c.1970 Honda CB450 DOHC
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1970 Honda CB450 DOHC

£1,500 - £2,500
1982 Yamaha XS650
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1982 Yamaha XS650

£1,800 - £2,400
1952 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1952 Moto Guzzi 250 Airone Sport

£2,000 - £3,000
1969 Moto Guzzi V7 Special
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1969 Moto Guzzi V7 Special

£1,500 - £2,000
c.1980 Honda 49cc 'CR110 Replica' Racing Motorcycle
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1980 Honda 49cc 'CR110 Replica' Racing Motorcycle

£2,000 - £3,000
1978 Yamaha XS650 Special
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1978 Yamaha XS650 Special

£1,800 - £2,400
1980 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans MkII,
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1980 Moto Guzzi 850 Le Mans MkII,

£2,000 - £3,000
c.1965 Yamaha 305 YM1
United Kingdom
Coming soon

c.1965 Yamaha 305 YM1

£1,800 - £2,400
1972 Ducati 350 Mk3
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1972 Ducati 350 Mk3

£2,000 - £5,000
1976 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1976 Moto Guzzi Le Mans MkI

£2,000 - £3,000
1966 Honda CB450 'Black Bomber'
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1966 Honda CB450 'Black Bomber'

£2,000 - £4,000
1976 Honda CB750
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1976 Honda CB750

£2,400 - £4,400
1971 Honda CB750
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1971 Honda CB750

£2,400 - £4,400
1978 Ducati SD 900 Darmah
United Kingdom
Coming soon

1978 Ducati SD 900 Darmah

£2,400 - £3,400
A rare Elliott Brothers double speedometer/odometer,
United Kingdom

A rare Elliott Brothers double speedometer/odometer,

£2,000 - £3,000
A wicker-cased picnic set for four persons by G.W.Scott & Sons, circa 1905,
United Kingdom

A wicker-cased picnic set for four persons by G.W.Scott & Sons, circa 1905,

£1,800 - £2,400
A Victorian pedal car, circa 1900,
United Kingdom

A Victorian pedal car, circa 1900,

£1,800 - £2,400
A Tricycle Velocipede, 1870s, originally housed in the Estate of Osbourne House, 1870s-1901,
United Kingdom

A Tricycle Velocipede, 1870s, originally housed in the Estate of Osbourne House, 1870s-1901,

£2,000 - £3,000