revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Greetings all,

Ageing, balding git here from Norfolk saying hello. Used to race Ducatis in the 80s and 90s - CRMC and then BEARS and BoTT before working on them for a living at one of the best independent specialists. Stopped racing in 1996 but still have a semi-works 888 (926) Corsa in various boxes and T-chests.

Had various old shitters on the road over the years, from an XL500 to a Matchless G80S. The latter was loveable but terrifying - I could explore beyond its performance and handling envelope without even taking it off the stand.

I've just bought a little Honda VT250F from 1983 to ping about the Norfolk lanes with and collect it next week. Last time I had a 250 was when I was on L-plates and that was a KH250. Looked great in Kork Ballington green with a Mead Speed fairing but it was a complete slug.

Anyone, cheers all. Looking forward to some good banter.

Hello and welcome!

And beware ...

.

... I wish I could remember how that started

Welcome in and hope you enjoy it here

Where abouts in Norfolk, I'm in Suffolk near Ipswich and merely interested

Looking forward to the 888 recommissioning thread,

Horse wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 6:28 pm Hello and welcome!

And beware ...

.

... I wish I could remember how that started

Oii - you nicked my sodding hedgehog !!!


@Soupdragon Since you already have the welcome hedgehog I'll just say hi and welcome and

Nobbut a sprog

Noggin wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 8:22 pm

Horse wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 6:28 pm And beware ...

Oii - you nicked my sodding hedgehog !!!

Told you

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 8:00 pm Where abouts in Norfolk, I'm in Suffolk near Ipswich and merely interested

I'm either up near Holt or near Framlingham. All depends if Mrs Soupdragon is in a mood with me!

Rockburner wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 8:17 pm Looking forward to the 888 recommissioning thread,

Ha-ha, don't grab a seat and a beer just yet. It's been in bits over 20 years and no plans on the horizon. It's all there and properly stored but unless one of my boys wants to race it'll probably stay where it is. I've got too many projects on the go already but never say never!

Hello and welcome

Welcome in baldy clanger dude. I hope you stay and give us a bit of yer craic.

Skub wrote: Thu Apr 30, 2026 12:10 pm Welcome in baldy clanger dude. I hope you stay and give us a bit of yer craic.

That really made me laugh..... I'm balding, not totally bloody bald (yet)!

Soupdragon wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 6:07 pm Ageing, balding git here from Norfolk saying hello. Used to race Ducatis in the 80s and 90s - CRMC and then BEARS and BoTT before working on them for a living at one of the best independent specialists. Stopped racing in 1996 but still have a semi-works 888 (926) Corsa in various boxes and T-chests.

That bit certainly got my attention. 888 SP3 owner here, but (rather like yours) my 888 hasn't moved in nearly 10 years. It is all in one piece though.

Very interested to hear of your 926-related exploits. No plans for a 955...?

mangocrazy wrote: Mon May 04, 2026 1:53 pm

Soupdragon wrote: Wed Apr 29, 2026 6:07 pm Ageing, balding git here from Norfolk saying hello. Used to race Ducatis in the 80s and 90s - CRMC and then BEARS and BoTT before working on them for a living at one of the best independent specialists. Stopped racing in 1996 but still have a semi-works 888 (926) Corsa in various boxes and T-chests.

That bit certainly got my attention. 888 SP3 owner here, but (rather like yours) my 888 hasn't moved in nearly 10 years. It is all in one piece though.

Very interested to hear of your 926-related exploits. No plans for a 955...?

Fantastic bike! The SP3 was my favourite of all the roadgoing variants. It still had an 'edge' that was largely lost in the 4 and 5.

My 926 is great and because I had a close relationship with Moto Cinelli (the importers at the time) I was able to buy a few full works parts for it. Started life as a Customer Corsa but ended-up quite a special bike with some ex-Giancarlo Falappa bits on it. I pulled it apart, covered everything with inhibiting oil and stored it carefully in 1997 and it's been in boxes ever since. Racing it was a joy; never the fastest in a straight line but phenomenal corner speeds and handling that, once set-up properly, just inspired confidence.

In reality though, it was a step too far for me. Battle of the Twins was a fantastic series with quite a number of bloody good professional riders and if I'm honest, I was a little out of my depth. Never better than midfield fodder - my best was an 8th at Cadwell Park but I was usually a bit lower than that.

I was never interested in the 955 engine and don't believe the dimensions suited it. It was a Fast by Ferracci idea (I think?) to comply with US rules. I don't think Ducati used the 955 engine in the 888 chassis either, at least not regularly. Largest I'm aware of was 926.

All a long time ago now and I miss it, but have some amazing memories and a bike mad son to keep the two-wheel lineage going.

Yes, the SP3 is/was my favourite of the 888 SP range. It had a brutality/beauty that the later ones couldn't match. The SP3 is John Hackett's favourite as well, although his Corsa is a 955. Moto Cinelli were still the importers when the SP3 was released as I can remember their stand at the NEC the year the SP3 came out. You could sit on the 851, but the SP3 had a 'please do not sit on this bike' plaque on the seat. So I waited until the Cinelli boys had snuck off a bit early, removed the plaque and had a sit on the SP3. It felt absolutely perfect - just made for me...

So is the 926 destined to stay in boxes, or is it one of those ' I'll get a round tuit one day' kind of things? Seems a shame to be in boxes; it takes up less space reassembled than it does in boxes...

mangocrazy wrote: Tue May 05, 2026 1:16 pm Yes, the SP3 is/was my favourite of the 888 SP range. It had a brutality/beauty that the later ones couldn't match. The SP3 is John Hackett's favourite as well, although his Corsa is a 955. Moto Cinelli were still the importers when the SP3 was released as I can remember their stand at the NEC the year the SP3 came out. You could sit on the 851, but the SP3 had a 'please do not sit on this bike' plaque on the seat. So I waited until the Cinelli boys had snuck off a bit early, removed the plaque and had a sit on the SP3. It felt absolutely perfect - just made for me...

So is the 926 destined to stay in boxes, or is it one of those ' I'll get a round tuit one day' kind of things? Seems a shame to be in boxes; it takes up less space reassembled than it does in boxes...

In many respects, Cinellis still are the importers. Ducati UK at Silverstone started as a rebranded Moto Cinelli, most of the same staff (though not Hoss obviously).

No plans to rebuild the Corsa. It's all inhibited so is totally free of dirt/corrosion and that wouldn't be the case if it was back in one piece - however well I looked after it, it would slowly deteriorate. Especially the wheels and other Magnesium parts. One of my boys may want to do something with it one day, who knows, but it requires dedication and technical knowledge to run it. Although in most respects, it's very easy to ride.

I like John H, not seen him for many years but our paths crossed many times when we were racing, and later when I was working on the bikes for a living. It was an interesting time; Fogarty mania ruled in GB and so Ducati's dealership network grew very quickly, though nearly all of them were completely useless when it came to looking after the bikes - they simply didn't have a clue. They were just riding the gravy train while it lasted. The small band of marque specialists were far, far better...... They were happy days and I miss them.

Soupdragon wrote: Wed May 06, 2026 3:44 am

mangocrazy wrote: Tue May 05, 2026 1:16 pm Yes, the SP3 is/was my favourite of the 888 SP range. It had a brutality/beauty that the later ones couldn't match. The SP3 is John Hackett's favourite as well, although his Corsa is a 955. Moto Cinelli were still the importers when the SP3 was released as I can remember their stand at the NEC the year the SP3 came out. You could sit on the 851, but the SP3 had a 'please do not sit on this bike' plaque on the seat. So I waited until the Cinelli boys had snuck off a bit early, removed the plaque and had a sit on the SP3. It felt absolutely perfect - just made for me...

So is the 926 destined to stay in boxes, or is it one of those ' I'll get a round tuit one day' kind of things? Seems a shame to be in boxes; it takes up less space reassembled than it does in boxes...

In many respects, Cinellis still are the importers. Ducati UK at Silverstone started as a rebranded Moto Cinelli, most of the same staff (though not Hoss obviously).

No plans to rebuild the Corsa. It's all inhibited so is totally free of dirt/corrosion and that wouldn't be the case if it was back in one piece - however well I looked after it, it would slowly deteriorate. Especially the wheels and other Magnesium parts. One of my boys may want to do something with it one day, who knows, but it requires dedication and technical knowledge to run it. Although in most respects, it's very easy to ride.

I like John H, not seen him for many years but our paths crossed many times when we were racing, and later when I was working on the bikes for a living. It was an interesting time; Fogarty mania ruled in GB and so Ducati's dealership network grew very quickly, though nearly all of them were completely useless when it came to looking after the bikes - they simply didn't have a clue. They were just riding the gravy train while it lasted. The small band of marque specialists were far, far better...... They were happy days and I miss them.

Agree about the very variable quality of Ducati 'specialists'. As you say, Foggy-mania boosted Ducati like mad in the mid 90s and there were a lot of folk that hopped on the gravy train. Then the 916 exploded on the scene, although it was sales of the Monster that really kept Ducati afloat in that period. Everyone raved about the 916, but I preferred my 888 and still do. John did my motor and boosted it to Corsa spec; Corsa cams and valves, Omega pistons and Pankl rods, plus he ported the head. It made 122 rear wheel hp on his dyno and the power curve was as flat as a ruler; no dips or peaks, just a linear response. The only other guy I've let loose on my 888 was the guy at Cornerspeed Ducati in Sutton in Ashfield (can't remember his name right now...)

Yeah, leave it in boxes. It'll be a brilliant Lego puzzle for your lads to figure out...

mangocrazy wrote: Wed May 06, 2026 2:43 pm

Soupdragon wrote: Wed May 06, 2026 3:44 am

mangocrazy wrote: Tue May 05, 2026 1:16 pm Yes, the SP3 is/was my favourite of the 888 SP range. It had a brutality/beauty that the later ones couldn't match. The SP3 is John Hackett's favourite as well, although his Corsa is a 955. Moto Cinelli were still the importers when the SP3 was released as I can remember their stand at the NEC the year the SP3 came out. You could sit on the 851, but the SP3 had a 'please do not sit on this bike' plaque on the seat. So I waited until the Cinelli boys had snuck off a bit early, removed the plaque and had a sit on the SP3. It felt absolutely perfect - just made for me...

So is the 926 destined to stay in boxes, or is it one of those ' I'll get a round tuit one day' kind of things? Seems a shame to be in boxes; it takes up less space reassembled than it does in boxes...

In many respects, Cinellis still are the importers. Ducati UK at Silverstone started as a rebranded Moto Cinelli, most of the same staff (though not Hoss obviously).

No plans to rebuild the Corsa. It's all inhibited so is totally free of dirt/corrosion and that wouldn't be the case if it was back in one piece - however well I looked after it, it would slowly deteriorate. Especially the wheels and other Magnesium parts. One of my boys may want to do something with it one day, who knows, but it requires dedication and technical knowledge to run it. Although in most respects, it's very easy to ride.

I like John H, not seen him for many years but our paths crossed many times when we were racing, and later when I was working on the bikes for a living. It was an interesting time; Fogarty mania ruled in GB and so Ducati's dealership network grew very quickly, though nearly all of them were completely useless when it came to looking after the bikes - they simply didn't have a clue. They were just riding the gravy train while it lasted. The small band of marque specialists were far, far better...... They were happy days and I miss them.

Agree about the very variable quality of Ducati 'specialists'. As you say, Foggy-mania boosted Ducati like mad in the mid 90s and there were a lot of folk that hopped on the gravy train. Then the 916 exploded on the scene, although it was sales of the Monster that really kept Ducati afloat in that period. Everyone raved about the 916, but I preferred my 888 and still do. John did my motor and boosted it to Corsa spec; Corsa cams and valves, Omega pistons and Pankl rods, plus he ported the head. It made 122 rear wheel hp on his dyno and the power curve was as flat as a ruler; no dips or peaks, just a linear response. The only other guy I've let loose on my 888 was the guy at Cornerspeed Ducati in Sutton in Ashfield (can't remember his name right now...)

Yeah, leave it in boxes. It'll be a brilliant Lego puzzle for your lads to figure out...

Okay, this is going to sound ridiculous, but I absolutely promise it's true.....

Apart from Cinelli's, the closest dealership to us were On Yer Bike at Aylesbury. They were utter monkeys and totally hopeless. Anyway, they brought an almost new bike to us that was playing up and they couldn't get to the bottom of it. We used to allow customers to watch us work on their bikes, as long as they behaved, and I got chatting to their 'technician' who'd brought it over. As I was stripping the bike down, he said "whereabouts is the Desmo?". I replied, "What do you mean where is it?"..... "Well these bikes are renowned for being Desmos, but where on the bike is it, or are they not fitted as standard?"..... I rest my case. Made I larff!

Soupdragon wrote: Wed May 06, 2026 4:43 pm

mangocrazy wrote: Wed May 06, 2026 2:43 pm

Soupdragon wrote: Wed May 06, 2026 3:44 am

In many respects, Cinellis still are the importers. Ducati UK at Silverstone started as a rebranded Moto Cinelli, most of the same staff (though not Hoss obviously).

No plans to rebuild the Corsa. It's all inhibited so is totally free of dirt/corrosion and that wouldn't be the case if it was back in one piece - however well I looked after it, it would slowly deteriorate. Especially the wheels and other Magnesium parts. One of my boys may want to do something with it one day, who knows, but it requires dedication and technical knowledge to run it. Although in most respects, it's very easy to ride.

I like John H, not seen him for many years but our paths crossed many times when we were racing, and later when I was working on the bikes for a living. It was an interesting time; Fogarty mania ruled in GB and so Ducati's dealership network grew very quickly, though nearly all of them were completely useless when it came to looking after the bikes - they simply didn't have a clue. They were just riding the gravy train while it lasted. The small band of marque specialists were far, far better...... They were happy days and I miss them.

Agree about the very variable quality of Ducati 'specialists'. As you say, Foggy-mania boosted Ducati like mad in the mid 90s and there were a lot of folk that hopped on the gravy train. Then the 916 exploded on the scene, although it was sales of the Monster that really kept Ducati afloat in that period. Everyone raved about the 916, but I preferred my 888 and still do. John did my motor and boosted it to Corsa spec; Corsa cams and valves, Omega pistons and Pankl rods, plus he ported the head. It made 122 rear wheel hp on his dyno and the power curve was as flat as a ruler; no dips or peaks, just a linear response. The only other guy I've let loose on my 888 was the guy at Cornerspeed Ducati in Sutton in Ashfield (can't remember his name right now...)

Yeah, leave it in boxes. It'll be a brilliant Lego puzzle for your lads to figure out...

Okay, this is going to sound ridiculous, but I absolutely promise it's true.....

Apart from Cinelli's, the closest dealership to us were On Yer Bike at Aylesbury. They were utter monkeys and totally hopeless. Anyway, they brought an almost new bike to us that was playing up and they couldn't get to the bottom of it. We used to allow customers to watch us work on their bikes, as long as they behaved, and I got chatting to their 'technician' who'd brought it over. As I was stripping the bike down, he said "whereabouts is the Desmo?". I replied, "What do you mean where is it?"..... "Well these bikes are renowned for being Desmos, but where on the bike is it, or are they not fitted as standard?"..... I rest my case. Made I larff!

That's a truly shocking level of idiocy from someone who really should know better. Probably thought it was some kind of turbo...