1964 Ducati Mach 1 250 - overview & ride

[@boxvango9021]

Beautiful. My Dad was crazy about 250 Scramblers. He had 2 runners, plus parts from many more. Just love those old Ducati 250s.

[@MrSportster12]

250cc, 80mpg, 100 mph. We haven't progressed much have we as a modern 250 would be pleased with those figures. Fully agree it's better to have a slightly non standard bike on the road than one sat in the garage waiting for parts that may never surface. Another great vid from this channel.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Hey Stu, thanks for your observations and your nice comments!

[@tauncfester3022]

You have to understand that this is possible only with the higher compression piston and street gearing of the MkI. I have the same gearing on my '67 Scrambler and it gets close to 80 mpg. But, it will not pull 100 mph. It's a more upright bike, no setback footpegs. I find myself using fourth in most conditions as fifth is such a tall pull, and you should never lug these engines down below 3000 rpm, The cranks are a bit tender and the stroke is short despite that the engine likes to pull well from low revs.

[@shanehnorman]

One of my hero machines. As a teenager in Ireland the 1960s, I had an Italian bike with a similar history. It was a 1958 Moto Guzzi 175 Lodola Sport, stripped for racing and fitted with the full kit of factory tuning items - 29mm Dell'Orto carb, h..c. piston, close-ratio gearbox, etc - and was ridden to victory in the 1959 Skerries 100 by the owner, Paul Curran. When I acquired it from a friend in 1962 (for £50!), it was battered and partially seized, but otherwise entirely as raced by Curran. With occasional advice and parts from legendary Moto Guzzi rider, Stanley Woods, who was the Guzzi agent in Ireland, I dismantled and rebuilt it in cash-strapped stages, eventually selling it (for £100!) in 1964. Like the Ducati, it was a sweet-handling machine, loved to rev (chain-driven OHC), and replete with beautiful engineering details.

[@whalesong999]

Saw a new Mach 1 at Ghost Motorcycles, Port Washington, N.Y. in probably '65. Immediately loved how it was fitted out, that one having Oldani brakes front and rear and a near Formula III engine, a Silentium muffler, and rear sets. Headlight on it was not as much a nacelle as yours, flat on the back side IIRC. That era of fine Italian 250s was not carried forward as much as they deserved - I got to ride Dianas and Parilla Grand Sports of other owners, what a great time for classy 250s. I eventually got a Bultaco Metralla to keep in company with them. You've done a great job in restoring the character of the Ducati, paint match and aluminum trim colors look spot on.

[@jimcollins2466]

Well Done! I had two 250 Dianas many years ago. Great little bikes. Best Wishes from Floral Park, New York, USA!

[@timparish172]

I had one of those when I was 18, moved from an AJS Mod.14 CSR to the Mach 1, bought second-hand from Bryants in Luton, where I had a Saturday job. Such a gorgeous bike but my memories are mostly of the number of shims in the engine, having to carry a bath plug around to stop rain dropping into the Dell Orto bell mouth when it rained and the 3 month delay to gave new big end bearings pressed in by Vic Camps. It had been raced before I bought it and I sold it to someone who was going to race it again. I got my first three points on it, at 101mph down the A6 down Barton Cutting. Great bike and great memories.

[@barrysimpson7674]

Brings back memories, I raced one late 60's to early 70's, it had a Helmut Fath engine conversion - Loved that bike. Dearest thing running it was the R10 Castrol oil and she sure could shift along a bit! Gave the sponsored teams & 2 strokes a run for their money in the wet.

[@Maestro_Modeller]

My father owns Ducati 250 Mach 1. As a child, I remember him kick starting it and I would keep it ticking over whilst he put on his leathers, helmet and silk scarf. I could hear him returning home from a great distance, I would greet him at the end of the drive , I was so excited, that was 30+ years ago. Great memories. Now a family heirloom.

[@lordbogus1985]

amazing!

[@tommerson5121]

One of the most beautiful of bikes of any era. You did a spectacular job on the restoration and brought back to life a piece of mechanical artistry that just breathes Italian soul. Also, a wonderfully done video that not only showcases the bike, but also serves as a primer for uninitiated.

[@patrickarmitageWWW]

This is the most informative presentation on Ducati Single ownership I have ever seen on KZbin or any printed source. Truly well done. In all the years I have read up on this Ducati type no source has ever mentioned the heavy clutch action. Beautiful bike!

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Glad it was helpful, thanks for your kind words!

[@tauncfester3022]

I've replaced the stock clutch lever with a lever and clutch lever perch off a Kawasaki EX500 and it now has a quite docile clutch pull. Shame it looks out of date, I'll take function over looks.

[@enemycombatsports5356]

This is the one bike I really want. I found a basket case once in Malaysia that started up (but couldn't be ridden and didn;t have any papers) and it really inspired me with its simplicity and uniqueness. Then I saw some for sale in Spain. Eventually will get one.

[@philhotchin284]

Lovely bike. Had the chance of buying a single cylinder Ducati years ago but didn't....kicking myself still !

[@vanveen8472]

thanks for the memories, I had a 250 Monza in Vancouver in the early 70's, once the carb and electrics were replaced with japanese parts it was a reliable machine, eventually traded it for a Norton

[@tauncfester3022]

I own a 1967 Scrambler 250 with an aftermarket 10:1 piston and I find it a bit reluctant to kick back, but then I checked the ignition advance springs were bit stretched and replaced them with springs off an old Bosch car advance weight set. It's fine now,

[@albertorudi5168]

Magnificent bike, lot of congratulations, Sir! I own an other Classic motorcycle, a BMW R26, 247cc, single cylinder, 1958. It's almost original, except carburettor, that is a Dell'Orto like the yours. But what I like more in your video is that you talked about many issues that I exactly agree with You. I had to spent some beautiful money to restore the model but, as it is less rare then Your Ducati, I was quite lucky on finding several spare parts. Yes, drive more than 60-70 miles is little hard for my back , otherwise when you stop somewhere for a break it's unbeatable that several people ask about the bike, and someone exclaims "nice! it's older than me! " Have the Best!

[@dugwthree]

have been involved with Ducati since 1972.. I own many singles.

[@safaristorme1938]

I just loved this bike , it's a simply gorgeous looking machine

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

It really is isn't it Safari Storme1, cheers for your nice comments :)

[@jiyushugi1085]

Very nice video and a beautiful Mach 1. I bought my Diana for $100 about 40 years in non-running, rusty, but complete condition. At least I think it's a Diana, as it has the same tach and everything else as yours, but the triple clamp has handlebar mounts. Got it running and rode it daily for a couple years and then the rod went, so I restored it. As you say, great fun to ride. surprised to hear about your 'heavy' clutch action. Mine isn't the least bit heavy, and it still has the original plates/springs. Perhaps someone installed race springs which aren't needed for the street. It might be worth changing those. Cheers on the great video. It's shame that more folks don't know about and ride these wonderful bikes.

[@RabSpaniel]

What a sound ! Takes me right back to my Sebrings and Dianas of yore.

[@glennryer8820]

I had a 1964 250 Monza and my brother had the 1967 Dianna Mk 3. Both great looking bikes but the No 3 had more hp and the 5 speed, features I envied. This is a great video which I enjoyed.

[@RabSpaniel]

Lovely bike. I had a Triumph all chrome 7 inch headlight on my cafe racer Sebring looked great.

[@alangraham4526]

Really nice job and still very stylish. I had a 200 SS that I have never seen mentioned anyplace beginning to think I had the only one! Got my first speeding ticket on it too cost me 10 bob.

[@kalgaramerinos7085]

Lovely bike and a really informative and well shot video. Really like that the bike is being ridden regularly - not just a showpiece!

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Hey Dan, thanks for your comments, much appreciated.

[@tonyjones7731]

One of the best looking bikes of the 60’s.

[@rayroberts5832]

Had 6 small Ducati 3 750 love them

[@54macdog]

Absolutely superb!

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thank you for saying!

[@roberttatlow5535]

Used to have a Mach 1, yep used to kick back on trying to start it. Wish I had kept it. Later I had a Ducati Sebring, 350, bit more usable power. Then went to Honda 400/4, still in my bedroom.

[@David-fj5lz]

I had a new Mach1 in 1965 which L loved, it would outpace most after it wad modified, would easy make 100mph, was fitted with glass/fibre fairing but it had : faults, the kickstarter spring ring would easily break and the clutch release rod would wear out

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

Fantastic machine and sounds awesome Great upgrades and done the right thing with it 👍👍 I know it’s been on the channel a while but stunning 😍

[@iannicolle3154]

Many years ago I had a 160cc version of this bike. Wish I still had it!

[@benelliracebike8834]

Nice bike, well presented, well done.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thanks for your comments. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@mattheweasteal2291]

Nice one Mike ... 👍

[@johnmortison5763]

Great job. beautiful bike.

[@mikeymike3240]

Absolutely beautiful bike man, it’s a stunning looker and the colour scheme really suits it. Nice to see an oldie, but goodie being coddled and ridden. I really love 💕 it. 😎👍👍👍🇬🇧

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Right on Mikey, thanks for watching our videos :)

[@rodrigogrunpro5501]

Wonderful bike! Congrats from Brazil! 🏍🏍🏍

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thank you very much!

[@RodWebb]

Another great video, I know how much work goes into making these videos 👍 only recently discovered you but always look forward to putting on another video each day. Keep it up 😁

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Glad you like them Rod! Thanks for the positive feedback :)

[@garypeatling7927]

It is beautiful this and le man two classic best looking bike ever made , Norton is only other bike to come close

[@johnburns3703]

Aye, just wait till your clutch cable snaps! As happened on Abercromby Terrace in edinburgh to me!

[@KathrynLiz1]

I first saw one of these, band new, in a showroom in Newmarket, Auckland, I think in about '63 or '64.... I coveted it intensely, but of course it had Marelli electrics so would have stopped passing by a damp sponge... but it looked the ducks guts.

[@tauncfester3022]

10:29 concerning the original instrument lights. The Veglia speedometer has a set of little windows facing forward on the casing inside the headlight shell that pick up a weak wash of light from the joke of a 6 volt model headlamp reflector shell's "window" in the upper parabolic. It weakly lights the upper edge of the dial face. It's why I changed my reflector over to a cheap GN125 replacement with LED lighting and fitted an LED lamp facing the speedometer to light the face adequately. How anyone managed to ride these with the stock lamps at night is a mystery.

[@francisking5855]

Amazing

[@williamlynch4556]

Great video!! Just curious what tires do you have on the bike??

[@UrbanoModa]

great bike, feel the love, brilliant

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Nice one Urbano!

[@michaelfirth1075]

Great video.

[@MrKdr500]

Beautiful bike!

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Glad you liked it :)

[@turboslag]

This evokes painful memories for me. I bought a Diana MK3 in 1982, which was basically a Mach 1, it was stripped down but complete and came with lots of original spares. It even had the Dellorto SS1 and add on Veglia racing tach. At the time we were starting a business so I never found the time to restore and rebuild it, so it just sat waiting. Eventually, due to circumstances, it was in storage away from where I lived, with several other machines, and it was stolen. I was traumatised and even now, 6 years later, it still makes me feel sick to think about it. Despite reporting the theft to the police no trace of it has ever been found, so it was probably sold in parts. I still have it's documents so it can never be registered in the UK again as I reported the theft to the DVLA. I also have the SS1, tach and several other small bits. So, if anyone has been offered parts from a Diana MK3, or described as Mach 1 parts, sprayed in matt gold, they were probably mine and were stolen. I was really looking forward to restoring that bike to it's original glory, the disappointment is bitter.

[@rabcspaniel5679]

Hope the kickstart quadrant gear is in good condition? Try not to ' abuse' the kickstarter. I turned a 350 Sebring into a Spaggiarri rep I have a 999 now but I'd give anything to get my café Sebring back

[@willhoggard645]

wow great job!

[@sacredhills7305]

I currently have the opportunity to buy a 1965 Mach 1, but it is missing the toolboxes. You mentioned in the video that this bike was also missing the toolboxes and you had some made somewhere. Do you know if the toolboxes are still available?

[@MBIKES21]

Looks great.

[@lordbogus1985]

I have seen this bike on a bike show this weekend, didn't know what it was, though it was just an ordinary Ducati/small Italian bike. Any idea what is must be worth???

[@nickbishop6784]

Loveley bike

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thanks for watching Nick :)

[@0n0fforlov60]

Siempre quise tener una Ducati.

[@Mad-Duk_Machine_Werkes]

That speedo backing plate is clocked all wrong, the fake "Scoop" is supposed to face front, dead level, youre putting the speedo cable into tight bend the way you have it, so besides looking horrible, youre causing it to fail early - easy enough to adjust tho

[@tonycamplin8607]

A really great bike and compared to a modern bike the mpg in particular is very impressive. It looks like its got the twin drum front brake, do you manage to get them synchronised? I had a Ducati, a bit older than yours when it was new and I found that almost impossible to do. Under heavy breaking the front wheel would twist,not very pleasant!

[@geoffboxell9301]

Which was the Ducati single that had two silencers, one above the other?

[@boblancastle5341]

Elite 204cc

[@EliteRock]

NIce video. I lusted after a 250 Desmo in the late 70's. In hindsight a little under-powered (a friend actually had one and the RD250B I settled for embarrassed it) and ultimately I should/would have got my full licence and gone for the 350 or even 450.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thanks for your lovely comments :)

[@Fullgasmotorcycles]

Hello, beautiful ride!, thanks for sharing!!!!, much apreciated. Ive just bought me a 1962 F3 250, complete, amaizing found, obviesly not running, Im sure that its gonna be points and maybe the coil, its been sitting for over 40 years, Im from mexico, bought the motorcycle in mexico, and I dont know if I should do a full restoration (steticly) or should I leave it as is, Ive been restoring vintage motorcycles for over 10 years, did a mv agusta 1965 racing 500, and Lambrettas and japanese and brittish bikes. Can you help me finding a place where I can get parts for this 62 f3?, thanks a lot from mexico, ill send you pictures of mine if you send me an email where to, much apreciated, sacha

[@jh-oj7nb]

a genuine f3 has some unique parts but you can get a fair bit of stuff from lacey ducati in the uk or ducati vintage store in italy

[@ronreick7880]

Unique

[@alfred-vz8ti]

it was a leader, back in the day.

[@simoncullum5019]

Where was this filmed looks wonderful ?

[@luckyfreeman5079]

My ser # starts with DM250 and it's a 1962 runs great but need to find out who here in USA on east coast either Miami or New Hampshire can install that electronic ignition Mike in England is talking about

[@JohnJones-cp4wh]

On the South Downs above Brighton.

[@TheBioniXman]

With an engine number of DM250M3 I don't think that it is a mark one engine. My 1967 is almost identical but with a black frame. That has an engine number that starts with DM250M3. But I could be wrong.

[@JohnJones-cp4wh]

Mine has engine no. 0026DM250M1

[@singleducati3651]

The engine number of this motorcycle is "DM250M3", so is it not "Mach1" but "Mark3"?

[@cormacmclaughlin4278]

The frame is very likely a Mach1 and definitely not a Mark3. The Mark3 has 'forward' footrest mounts on the bottom, the Mach1 doesn't. Some Mark3s came with M1 crank cases, not sure if Mach1s ever had M3 crankcases (Early Ducati's had some very odd number configurations, so its very possible). Also if the bike was raced successfully, it would be very fair to have replaced the bottom end/cases at some point.

[@cormacmclaughlin4278]

P.S. What a fantastic little bike either way!

[@singleducati3651]

Thank you for your reply. I have read in many books that there is a Mk.3 with M1 stamped on the engine, but no Mach1 with M3 stamped on the engine.

[@raki381]

I have original everything is original on it from nuts bolts tires everything.. will anybody has any idea what that is worth?

[@buckwheatINtheCity]

Fabio Taglioni Special...

[@dugwthree]

i doubt only 25 mach 1 were built in 64. but nice anyway.

[@frankiepitt9135]

You should know.

[@diesteinbergs9568]

Only newbies say SS1 carb....The correct term is SSI...!