1989 Ducati 851

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 models 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.

According to accompanying old/current V5/V5C registration documents, this Ducati 851 was 'Declared New In GB By Independent Importer' and first registered on 28th April 1989. The private vendor purchased the 851 in 2015 from Chris Walker Kawasaki in Grantham. A keen Ducati enthusiast and collector, our vendor intended to restore it to concours condition after his retirement, only for ill heath to scupper the project. Since acquisition the wheels and frame have been repainted and various other works carried out (see 2016 'Moto V' invoice for £1,510 on file).

The Ducati is offered from the owner's private collection, all of which were ridden for no more than 2 miles following acquisition and then stored within his house on static display. The current odometer reading is 31,952 miles (at the time of cataloguing/photography). Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require re-commissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's history, originality, authenticity, mechanical condition and completeness (or otherwise) prior to bidding.

Additional documents include the Chris Walker purchase paperwork and quantities of expired MoT certificates and invoices. It should be noted that the aforementioned registration documents omit the 'DM851S1' frame and 'ZDM851W4B' engine prefixes.
Offered with key