Description
H&H Classic Auction @ National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
30th Oct, 2024 13:00
1980 Ducati Mike Hailwood Replica
Early MHR frame number 900078
Estimate
£17, 000 - £21, 000
Registration No: LVF 285V
Frame No: 900078
MOT: Exempt
Ducatis tribute to Hailwoods famous TT victory
Over £15, 000 spent on documented restoration
Early fibreglass tank cover model, V5C included
Ducati was established in 1926 by Antonio Ducati and his sons, initially producing electrical components. After WW2 they moved into motorcycles with the Cucciola, essentially a pushbike with a clip-on engine but by the 1960s had become associated with performance bikes selling a range of sporty 250 and 350 singles. In response to the demand for larger capacity bikes, chief engineer Fabio Taglioni designed the classic vee-twin bevel drive engine first used in the 1971 GT750. This proved to be an immediate success, helped considerably by Paul Smarts win in the 1972 Imola 200 race. This started a long tradition of race-winning vee-twins that have gone on to dominate World Superbike racing over the years. In spite of Ducatis continued success in World Superbike and Moto GP, their most famous victory was Mike Hailwood's amazing victory in the 1978 IOM TT Formula 1 race. After retiring from bike racing in the late 1960s and carrying injuries from his Formula 1 car racing career, he won his comeback race adding to his already legendary status. After Mike's spectacular victory on the NCR Sports Motorcycles Ducati, the factory commemorated his win with the introduction of a race replica based on the 900SS. Originally titled the ‘900 Replica’, the early model was only produced in a limited run of 200 and had a fibreglass cover over a regular 900 Super Sport fuel tank. By later 1980 the next production run had a steel fuel tank but the bike was essentially the same as the 1979 version including the Brembo Goldline brake calipers and 40mm Dell’Orto carburettors. The early 'Series 1' model is proving to be one of the most collectible bikes from the era.
This excellently presented Mike HailwoodReplica has been part of the Brian Ditchfield collection, a retired engineer and lifelong motorcycle enthusiast who in the past ran a very successful Sidecar Grand Prix team, finishing second in the World Championship in 2002. A very early example with a frame number of 900078, according to Ian Falloon’s “Standard Catalog of Ducati Motorcycles” the 900 MHR models began with frame number DM860SS 900001 making this the 78th one produced. It has the correct fibreglass tank cover for an early production number although the fairing had been changed at some point to a 2 piece one for ease of maintenance. Brian bought the bike in 1984 as only its third owner and gave it very little use before work and running his race team ensured it was stored away until his retirement gave him the time to undertake an in depth restoration between 2014 and 2019. The engine was entrusted to Ducati technical Services who carried out a thorough rebuild amounting to over £10, 000, all documented in receipts and handwritten descriptions of the process. Paintwork was carried out to a very high standard by renowned Liverpool firm C+G Finishes at a cost of over £1800 with chromework by Marque Specialist Chrome at over £700 and a front fork overhaul by Maxton at £189. Another £2160 was spent with Mdina Italia on spare parts needed to complete the process. Over £15, 000 has been invested in the restoration not counting Brians's work including manufacturing from scratch a replica l/ h silencer. This is a fantastic example of one of the most collectible bikes from the era and it comes supplied with a paperwork file of invoices and notes and a current V5C.
