The Ducati Unicorn

agnes · 20 Jan 2014 at 21:13

This will be my first and probably my only project bike. Chances of anything happening this year are slim (2014) because of other major plans in place, but I'm keeping my eye out for parts...

The Ducati Unicorn to me is a 916/748 era frame, body, swingarm, fairings, tank etc with a Ducati 1098/1198 engine in...

It's been done a few times, and I'm already eyeing up a 'rattling' 1098 engine and a 916 frame. If I get both, I will buy a swing arm as they go for pennies these days.

This will be a pure track bike, nothing more. So no original fairings, just fiberglass track fairings.

Just putting this thread here as I didn't expect to start getting parts so soon. But I guess the inevitable threads asking what xyz does when I open up the twin might as well go in here. As it's being sold as a rattly engine. God knows what's wrong with it.

Anyway! Watch this space!

Griffo · 20 Jan 2014 at 21:44

Damn it I want a garage/ground floor!

This sounds fun!

agnes · 21 Jan 2014 at 08:08

Griffo said:
Damn it I want a garage/ground floor!

This sounds fun!

That's my problem, I don't, I have a carport at my mums. She has a garage that I'm ripping down and building her a new on this year. As the current one is not far from falling down.

I'm also buying a place this year. Number 1 requirement... It will have a garage.

EDIT! Literally just checked my emails... Think I will be getting the engine!

Dogbreath · 21 Jan 2014 at 10:40

I'd be very wary of buying a 1098 engine making bad noises, that could be a bottomless pit for you money.

BTW, why a "Unicorn"? I don't really get the reference.

PU7E · 21 Jan 2014 at 10:52

He's going to paint it white and gets a bit horny when thinking of it?

My money would be on either the clutch, cam chain or crankshaft bearings although you could end up changing parts forever trying to sort it out.

agnes · 21 Jan 2014 at 11:00

PU7E said:
He's going to paint it white and gets a bit horny when thinking of it?

My money would be on either the clutch, cam chain or crankshaft bearings although you could end up changing parts forever trying to sort it out.

Just sort of the best of both worlds, the looks and style of the old Ducati superbike with the performance of the new

And yes, it makes me happy in my pants.

Dogbreath said:
I'd be very wary of buying a 1098 engine making bad noises, that could be a bottomless pit for you money.

BTW, why a "Unicorn"? I don't really get the reference.

He said he wants a minimum of £600, I will push him down to £500 or less if I can. It's a complete engine. The heads are worth £250 each in good nic...

But yea, could be a multitude of things and costing me 3 times what I paid for it trying to fix it. I got my 748 engine rebuilt and reshimmed by a guy called Richard at Louigi Moto... Cost me £2,000 but that engine was one of a kind once he finished with it. Utterly sublime. I think I would potentially spend a bit of money and get him to rebuild the engine, balance the crank, blueprint etc.

BUT! This is on a budget so one can dream

Griffo · 21 Jan 2014 at 18:01

agnes said:
That's my problem, I don't, I have a carport at my mums. She has a garage that I'm ripping down and building her a new on this year. As the current one is not far from falling down.

I'm also buying a place this year. Number 1 requirement... It will have a garage.

EDIT! Literally just checked my emails... Think I will be getting the engine!

hehe snap! I'm hoping this year to buy, and also must have a garage

.

PU7E · 28 Jan 2014 at 17:26

Did you get the engine?

Griffo · 28 Jan 2014 at 23:38

And where you thinking of moving? I've a new job out Maidenhead way so am looking to the east now.

agnes · 30 Jan 2014 at 11:53

PU7E said:
Did you get the engine?

Nope, he wants too much, I'm going to let him sweat and put in an offer in a couple of weeks. He told me the big ends went. So god knows what else went if he was riding at the time. Could be a lot of work and a big cost to fix. If it's more than £1,500 to fix (could be...) then I might as well buy a working used engine.

Griffo said:
And where you thinking of moving? I've a new job out Maidenhead way so am looking to the east now.

No idea, open to ideas at the moment, me and my misses looking. I want out in the country though.

Griffo · 30 Jan 2014 at 16:13

Ditto. Country is my thinking, though I'm not moving with your mrs

agnes · 31 Jan 2014 at 08:29

Griffo said:
Ditto. Country is my thinking, though I'm not moving with your mrs

Ha, you're welcome to! She can be a bit of a hand full

She won't be coming on the meet sadly, I (apparently) didn't tell her about the meet after the first time I mentioned it so she assumed it wasn't going ahead. So now she has booked some time in with her mates.

Oh well, means I can ride a little crazy