Nobody Knows

Hi guys,

Just tought I'd let you know, my Yellow Thingy with dodgy history bought from ebay is a complete mistory to the boys at Ducati UK, Ducati Italy and my local dealer Cobb and Jagger at Shipley.
I emailed Ducati UK and Ducati Italy with Eng. and Frame numbers and they said they have no records of such numbers and that the format of the numbers was even wrong.
They suggested I go to Cobb and Jagger for them to try to identify it, so off I went yesterday (after taking an hour to get it running properly) and the man at C & J thinks it's a Passo engine because it's got gold coloured rocker covers and the eng. number starts ZDM904. He thinks the frame is Monster but he's not sure. The number means nothing to him.
Anyway, I bought some cam belts off him to fit Passo and I'm hoping for the best.
Is it straight forward job fitting cambelts. No special tools I presume?
Anything to watch out for?
Thanks guys
LD

[spacemonkey]

From what I gather (I asked my Duke specialist about this enigma on your behalf a coupla weeks back) all the 904cc '900' aircooled 2v twins are the same. Can't help thinking you might have a ringer there...

Right.....Let's start from scratch.
The bike is advertised through an internationally recognised auction site.
I meet the guy at his house, and buy the bike, so as far as I am concerned, he has nothing to hide.
When I check the the numbers they don't tally.
I ask Ducati UK and Italy about numbers and they don't know anything about numbers, or they can't be bothered to look?
Go to local dealer and he is confused, because engine "looks like Passo" because of gold rocker box covers, but frame looks like Monster, although number means nothing, but won't commit himself to either.

I want to keep the bike because I actually like it (funny yellow bits an' all) but I don't want to be classed as a receiver of dodgy goods.
Obviously the frame has been "re-stamped" with a number that nobody will recognise therefore can't be traced.
IF ANYONE KNOWS THE ORIGINS OF ENGINE No. "ZDM904A2C008173" I would be very gratefull for a response to this message.
Is there a "Passo" Club?
Won't hold my breath.

LD

[Pedro]

LD

sorry to hear about this.

For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure the frame is not a true Monster, more like an 851 as the foot rest hangers for front and rear footrests are not the same as early Monsters (mines a 93 - if you want some photos to compare, pm me your email addy and I'll snap some shots).

Good luck

Ped

[spacemonkey]

I don't think it is a Paso frame as they had an alloy beam frame, which was very unusual for a Ducati.

Have you got the vin type identification plate that's possibly near the headstock??

Number on frame doesn't resemble anything that Ducati use, this was confirmed by local Duke dealer.
I am also begining to think it's stolen. The number stamped on headstock is FR11958D. looks like someones initials and date of birth and D for Ducati.
Or could it be FOGGARTY RACING 11th example 958cc Ducati?
I have also found out today that it was owned (owned?) by a local dealer that went bust sometime not long ago.
Definately dodgy.

The cam belts fit though, fitted them this afternoon, no probs.

LD

[walkingpictures]

http://www.ducati.com/contact_us.jht...ctus=technical

Might be worth a try


Kimbo

Thanks Old Alki Kimbo,
Already tried them and they are baffled also.

LD

[walkingpictures]

Originally Posted by Lucky Dave

Old Alki

LD

Hey..who's been talking? ....ok..no worries....trying to help mate...good luck

Kimbo

[gary tompkins]

Originally Posted by Lucky Dave

Number on frame doesn't resemble anything that Ducati use, this was confirmed by local Duke dealer.
I am also begining to think it's stolen. The number stamped on headstock is FR11958D. looks like someones initials and date of birth and D for Ducati.
Or could it be FOGGARTY RACING 11th example 958cc Ducati?
I have also found out today that it was owned (owned?) by a local dealer that went bust sometime not long ago.
Definately dodgy.

The cam belts fit though, fitted them this afternoon, no probs.

LD

Apart from the concern that it could be nicked, the other problem is that in theory it's un-insurable and you would be in effect riding without cover. In the event of a claim made by either you or a 3rd party, I would expect the insurance co. to walk away when they discover the bike has a dodgy history.

Never thought of that GT.
The bike is insured, but the only info the Ins. Co. has is the Reg. No. and type of bike.
AHH! Type of bike I said, well log book says 906, but is it?
It's getting worse by the minute.

LD

[spacemonkey]

Maybe if it is a 906 El Paso engine, the bike could have had a nasty whack, and someone put a dodgy 851 or Monsteur frame with it, et voila? Is it worth doing an HPi check on the info you have?

I'll happily HPI it for you at work tomorrow. Given that you have parted with your cash and know its wonky not sure how beneficial it will be but the offers there. if not I know an evil twisted man who specialises in eyeball removal. either way it will really dent your pride to let it ride. I hate having my pants pulled down

Try getting hold of a book called "DUCATI BELT-DRIVE TWO-VALVE TWINS". I've not seen it but it apparently has a breakdown of all the engine and frame numbers etc and may help with tracking the engine down. It would be a start anyway.

I've not seen your bike, but is it not a custom made frame perhaps, or alternatively an unstamped frame bought for racing? As with kit cars, if the frame was unstamped or homemade then someone would have to give it a number for when it was first registered, so it may well be their initials and date of birth. I had a mate who had a Cobra kit car and his chassis number was the number for the starship enterprise (USS.....)

Have you tried contacting DVLA to see what they can tell you, that said the log book should tell you some stuff. Does it show as new at first registration?

Not much help but the best I can do...

Originally Posted by Richard_S

I hate having my pants pulled down

Depends on who's doing the pulling really (and what they do next).....