900m frame number

[widgercharlie]

Hello,
I am trying to find out if anyone knows what the lowest frame number is on a 900m
and how many 900s had choke on the left side.

[Darkness]

Hello,
I am trying to find out if anyone knows what the lowest frame number is on a 900m
and how many 900s had choke on the left side.

I take it you mean UK registered?

Easy one first: the choke knob was mounted on the LHS of the trellis frame for the ‘93 and ‘94 model years, then moved to the central nut on the top yoke for ‘95 and to the left handlebar sometime after that. Note: model years run November to October to suit the bike shows, so ‘93 Monster model year with the yellow rear suspension hoop only ran from May ‘93 till October ‘93.

In ‘93 there wasn’t yet a Ducati UK, so bikes arrived here through Moto Cinelli, the ‘Official Ducati Importer’ and sponsor of Foggy at the Superbikes and IoM.
Moto Cinelli sold to the public through a network of dealers, including Snells in Alton, and Three Cross Motorcycles. I have read that initially each dealer got a bike to sell and future production was dependent on selling all of them.

Other bikes arrived via other “unofficial’ importers though.

The Earlier UK registered bikes mostly seem to have frame numbers ending with numbers in the range of 0500 to 0530 and I know some of those have reference to Moto Cinelli on the registration document.

There are also early UK registered bikes with frame numbers ending in the range 0250 to 0280, which may also have come in via Moto Cinelli, or others?

It may be an interesting project for someone to research: I for one would like to know for certain which is the first registered UK Monster.

[Darkness]

The stated production figures for the ‘93 model year are:

1,521 - 900 Monster Italy 1993
190 - 900 Monster USA 1993
120 - 900 Monster California 1993
40 - 900 Monster Switzerland 1993
251 - 900 Monster Germany 1993

These would all have been red.

Extracted from https://sites.google.com/site/infoage1/ducati-links-list/ducati-monster-production-distribution-table

[Pedro]

Frame number does not really relate to registration date....

Mine is registered Aug 11th 1993, frame no is 1015
Crust has one registered December 1993 I think with chassis number about 502 ish
I know of a few others that were registered in 1994 with frame numbers below 500

Mine can to the UK from Germany via Metropolis in London, build date was late April/early May as best I can figure. Seems frames were not used in numerical order...

[widgercharlie]

Wow that's so interesting I have number 0500 which I thought might be an early one but seems not.
Thanks to you for your replies.

Mine has been painted black all over apart from tank and rear cover and looks great but I keep thinking I would love to concourse it as it has a genuine 4k and still original tyres yes I am careful
Cheers Guys
I will post Pic if I can work out how to LOL

[mickj]

Welcome to the forum widgercharlie. :thumbsup:

[Mr Gazza]

Just to let you know that the club now recognises faithfully restored or preserved models. As of 2018, the 25th anniversary of the Monster, we introduced a Concours d' Elegance trophy which is not just handed out to the nearest standard looking bike. It was not presented this year as nothing came up to the standard required.

For the love of God please don't ride on 26 year old tyres!! however carefully. Bin them after 5 years even if the tread is good. The compound deteriorates and makes them very dangerous.
Keep the old tyres on those wheels if you must and save them for display only. Get another set of wheels with new tyres for riding.

[Darkness]

Wow that's so interesting I have number 0500 which I thought might be an early one but seems not.
Thanks to you for your replies.

Mine has been painted black all over apart from tank and rear cover and looks great but I keep thinking I would love to concourse it as it has a genuine 4k and still original tyres yes I am careful
Cheers Guys
I will post Pic if I can work out how to LOL

I saw the advert for yours when it was for sale on eBay a couple of months ago Charlie.

It is indeed an early one as evidenced by the K Reg.

From memory, one of the things you need for full restoration to factory spec would be the back end of the frame: I think it has been “tail chopped”? There have been ideas to remake these though.

I would strongly recommend a read of Albie’s rebuild of his ‘94 Monster as it illustrates where this could lead!

http://albies93m900.blogspot.com/

[Albie]

Just to let you know that the club now recognises faithfully restored or preserved models. As of 2018, the 25th anniversary of the Monster, we introduced a Concours d' Elegance trophy which is not just handed out to the nearest standard looking bike. It was not presented this year as nothing came up to the standard required.

For the love of God please don't ride on 26 year old tyres!! however carefully. Bin them after 5 years even if the tread is good. The compound deteriorates and makes them very dangerous.
Keep the old tyres on those wheels if you must and save them for display only. Get another set of wheels with new tyres for riding.

Can I have it back again then lol.
Going to restart it all again in a few,weeks time as my garage has space again so now a 5 year project. I also now have that missing early rear number plate light nos from USA.and early clutch coffin reservoir with chamfer. I never realised and it was pointed out to me.

[Darkness]

Just to let you know that the club now recognises faithfully restored or preserved models. As of 2018, the 25th anniversary of the Monster, we introduced a Concours d' Elegance trophy which is not just handed out to the nearest standard looking bike. It was not presented this year as nothing came up to the standard required.

Ha! Now you tell me.........

[Flip]

I believe Moto Cinelli were the importers until around the time of the TPG takeover from the Cagiva group and as already mentioned then passed the bikes through a network of existing dealers around the country.

This would certainly hold up going by Company House records saying Moto Cinelli were set up in the UK in April 1991 and the company was officially dissolved May 2004 with the last accounts being recorded December 2001.

In addition my own 1997 900 was purchased (by a mate) through P&H Motorcycles in Crawley (who are now a Ducati main dealer) yet at that time all the official paperwork referencing the bike (not the sales receipt) such as bringing the bike to the UK and PDI checks etc. are all on Moto Cinelli headed forms.

https://i.postimg.cc/LssNHBt3/IMG-E7982.jpg (https://postimg.cc/k2kxsSh2)

The way Moto Cinelli was run is also quite well documented by the likes of James Whitham and a Mr C Fogarty who both rode for them under the original Director Khosrow (Hos) Elm.

Loved watching Jimmy Whit back in the day:

https://i.postimg.cc/sXjyfLn0/Jimmy-Whit-916-Copy.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Jy2SPpCb)

The wit of Whit while riding for Moto Cinelli:

https://www.visordown.com/features/columns/james-whitham/jamie-whitham-column-aug-2005

[Darkness]

https://i.postimg.cc/LssNHBt3/IMG-E7982.jpg (https://postimg.cc/k2kxsSh2)


Moto Cinelli wanted to be the ‘Sole Importer’, but other Ducatis were brought in as grey imports from Europe.

[widgercharlie]

Thanks again
Message to Darkness
I do have all the original parts ie Exhaust. wing mirrors backend etc,
I have too many bikes and was thinking of a clear out but have moved a car on so back to 7 bikes again. The m900 is a good contender to restore as its all there and is in very good condition albeit the black paint.
Out of all the bikes I have ever ridden the M900 is still the best mix, just a tiny bit more power would be the icing on the cake. lol

[widgercharlie]

Albie,
What a great job on your M900
Hats off

[Darkness]

Thanks again
Message to Darkness
I do have all the original parts ie Exhaust. wing mirrors backend etc,
I have too many bikes and was thinking of a clear out but have moved a car on so back to 7 bikes again. The m900 is a good contender to restore as its all there and is in very good condition albeit the black paint.
Out of all the bikes I have ever ridden the M900 is still the best mix, just a tiny bit more power would be the icing on the cake. lol

I look forward to seeing it. Perhaps you can get across to West Bay next time we do a run down?