YOUR Italian Bike Thread

[AKDuc]

Our annual bike show was last weekend and I decided to put the Duc in since it's been a few years since I've shown it.

A good excuse to spend a little extra time shining her up too. Mark H.

[GotMojo?]

Originally Posted by achtung3

Yes! A bit of an angry bike.
I've heard from a Ducati dealer that the newer Ducatis are being built with much lower quality than the earlier ones.
I do like some of the earlier Ducati models, but I just love my MV with the star wheels, color scheme, the way it looks and handles, not found of the newer models.

I've heard just the opposite. I was told the overall design and engineering of the bikes are better now, and they are seeing improved reliability, and that is one reason service intervals are now longer. That might not be the case for NEW models, like the Diavel, because new bikes are always going to have gremlins that get ironed out as the model years progress.

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by achtung3

Yes! A bit of an angry bike.
I've heard from a Ducati dealer that the newer Ducatis are being built with much lower quality than the earlier ones.

I guess he wasn't a Ducati Dealer in the early-/mid-1990s...

[STFU]

my little taste of Italy:

[DesmoDog]

Originally Posted by STFU

my little taste of Italy:

I find it impossible to look at that picture without grinning. Looks like fun!

[GS650Lady]

Originally Posted by GP1152

One day, I will own one.

[hillbillypolack]

Originally Posted by Johnnie5

i really wonder how that is even possible

J5
own 68 250
own 02 MS4
owned 95 916

Months ago, I got slapped around a bit for suggesting that sentiment.

[Katze]

My first bike ever and my first Italian Bike. 1968 Benelli/Montgomery Ward Riverside. 360cc's of Italian thunder. I bought it in 1975 for 70 bucks. Stripped all the lights off and made it into a dirt bike! I trashed that thing trying to keep up with my buddy on his CR125! I think my dad finally took it to the dump! What a shame. Wish I had it back! The Steering Stabilizer was a knob on the steering stem!

Mine was blue, scratched and dented


My latest Italian girl... I won't be trashing her...

[ttpete]

Originally Posted by Katze

My first bike ever and my first Italian Bike. 1968 Benelli/Montgomery Ward Riverside. 360cc's of Italian thunder. I bought it in 1975 for 70 bucks. Stripped all the lights off and made it into a dirt bike! I trashed that thing trying to keep up with my buddy on his CR125! I think my dad finally took it to the dump! What a shame. Wish I had it back! The Steering Stabilizer was a knob on the steering stem!

Mine was blue, scratched and dented

Those were made for and only sold at Monkey Wards stores. The big problem was that Wards never had any spare parts for them and the few Benelli dealers didn't either because they never sold or serviced that bike. Wards was a real PITA because they never carried spares for ANYTHING. I had a Wards washer once, and had to go to Norge for parts.

On the other hand, Sears sold Vespas and Puchs and carried parts for them. That's why Sears outlasted Wards.

[Katze]

Originally Posted by ttpete

Those were made for and only sold at Monkey Wards stores. The big problem was that Wards never had any spare parts for them and the few Benelli dealers didn't either because they never sold or serviced that bike. Wards was a real PITA because they never carried spares for ANYTHING. I had a Wards washer once, and had to go to Norge for parts.

On the other hand, Sears sold Vespas and Puchs and carried parts for them. That's why Sears outlasted Wards.

Yeah I remember that. It needed fork seals. Not a chance. Amazingly, they had a parts fiche. The seals were 30 bucks each! Back in '75! I ended up riding it till and beyond all the oil leaked out.

[Rapid Dog]

[Rapid Dog]

[jerdog53]

[RydRy]

Originally Posted by GP1152

Here are our bikes
....

that streetfighter is just plain awesome! Id even buy yellow! :)

[enkil]

My F4R during our trip to Phuket.