Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1980's

Brembo disc brakes. Otherwise, things are pretty much the same. The noisy and beautiful desmodromic valve setup tops off the 90 degree V·twin engine which actually displaces 86:'1.9 cc. The desmo gear, which is at the heart of the Ducati's mechanical attractiveness, really plays a tune inside the full fairing at speed. All that mechanical whirring and clanking comes straight through to the rider's ear, wbich, due to the road racer position, is less than a bent anns length away. Another thing tbe full fairing does is catch the wind as well as slice through it. Side winds are especially annoying and a weight shift is needed to counter them. The fine handling chassis and suspension works its usual wonders for the rider, but the crouch position and the f..iring take a little getting used to. The bike should have reliability as its major components have been well proved over the years and it has Gennan Bosch electronic ignition and a 200 watt alternator. This along with the Nippondenso instruments and switches should put to rest forever the old bugaboos of Italian bikes. A testament to faith in the bike is the experience of-Jim Chipura and his trip to Sturgis. Jim, besides being a Ducati dealer, is also a Ducati enthusiast and had been riding a 1977 90055 before the Hailwood Replica was announced. Having sold off the 55, Jim ordered the Replica and waited five months for delivery. That came on Sunday, the day before the rally in Sturgis, SD was to begin. After uncrating and servicing was out of the way, Jim topped off the 5.1 gallon. tank and headed south from Winni· peg. He arrived Monday and met up with his friends, also mounted on Italian bikes, and spent the week sharpening his road skills with passes through the twisting sections of the Black Hills. The only disappointments were that the Harley riders on Main Street failed to give the big Duke anything more than a passing glance since it wasn't an American Vtwin and an oil leak started to make a mess of the left side of the bike. The leak turned out to be a distorted clutch adjustment cover. After some sanding and reshaping and a new gasket, the engine was oil tight again. Some other disappointments according to Jim are that the bike didn't come with the Conti mufflers and Pirelli Phantom tires he ordered. Silentiums, which actually do quiet the exhaust noise, and Michelins, which have proved to be an excellent rain tire, were fitted instead. To replace them with Contis and Pirellis would cost an additional $650 according to Jim. Minor complaints. are that the gas cap leaks for some reason, even if the fuel isn't filled to the top. The left side headlight on and high· low beam switch is awkward to use at speed which results in sometimes turning the headlight completely off. To check the oil level the entire lower fairing must be removed, which takes about 15 minutes to take off and the same amount to put on again. For some reason there is no crossover balance tube between the left and right sides of the gas tank which makes for occasional one cylinder running if the rider isn't careful. Just remember to turn BOTH fuel laps on all the time, one isn't a reserve. The twist gtip throttle assembly also came in for some criticism from Jim. Instead of a quick throttle, which one would expect on a bike of this type, the Hailwood is fitted with a long throw touring type throttle. • Note: The Ducati Hailwood Replica is available in the United States now. Berliner Motors' Peter DimecJc said, "We've shipped quite a few out to dealers. The first shipment saw the biJces arrive without air cleaners and the proper mufflers, but that has been corrected. The Hailwood Replica is a unique Ducati and while we recognize it isn't for everybody, we can supply them to the enthusiast who seeJcs something unique." Production is limited, so see your Ducati dealer soon...Editor. 27

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