Living with a Ducati 888 - Part1

[@steve23464]

I very very rarely pause a video when getting up for a drink. This one got paused. Beautiful.

[@Merch131ho]

I sometimes would like to remake these older vids now I have a better camera and more idea of how to edit etc. But glad you like it.

[@Ramon51650]

Very nice. I bought an 888 the winter of 1993 and to this day I still miss it. The sole modifications that I did to it were strictly functional: opened the air box and changed to a K&N filter; installed a stage 2 chip; ventilated the clutch cover; switched to D&D carbon pipes; reduced the final drive to 39 teeth and made a guard on the lower fairing against debris flung back by soft compound rubber. The glaring flaw was that the cable housing was closely draped over the rear cylinder and the intense heat fused the wires. The result was that I found myself stranded a few times MILES away from any aid. Also, reassembling the fairing after working on it was the stuff of nightmares. There is a very tiny screw and flange unit that connects the lower to the upper fairing and there is no line of sight, so it must be screwed whilst holding the flange in place. On a good day, working alone, it took 3 hours. For some reason it would trip car alarms, but not in the obnoxious Harley-Davidson fashion.

[@spscorse]

Beautiful 888

[@MrJudge51]

Love the way you handle this bike M8. Thax. :-)

[@gdscheiwe01]

Lovely bike sir. Thanks for sharing.

[@dscsasjs2007]

Thanks for the vid 👍

[@andygrayson7485]

Hello, like the vids, i have just bought a strada 888 great condition, very happy with it, just wondered what insurance companies are good at classic insurance, got some quotes back from some well known big companies and its a fortune! Thanks Andy

[@Merch131ho]

I use Carol Nash, as I have several bikes on the same policy. Also used Bikesure in the past too. Both were similar in premiums.

[@LucaSuper7]

Beautiful bike and kept in great conditions! Not meant as a criticism but more of a clarification, your very sensible modifications bring the bike closer to SP5 specs than SP4 both for the looks and substance. I nevertheless enjoyed your video very much

[@Merch131ho]

Thanks, though I bought the bike with the mods, along with the original parts that were replaced. The only change I have made is to fit a Power Commander and have the bike tuned on a rolling road Dyno.

[@hamzaelyesagencalp995]

Nıce ducati 💯

[@237racing3]

Very nice!!! Thx for the vids!

[@jamesalderson2512]

Nice, but that's an sp5 rep, doesn't look anything like an SP4 which has white frame , black wheels and Number 1 on the fairing

[@justindaley2460]

I've had a lookalike SP5 (Strada) like yours which was a really nice bike - J***VTG I then bought an SP5 (#112) and it was so completely different that you would not believe. Engine had a noticeable power hike from 8000 revs, almost like a 2 stroke - SP4 has marginally less power though I'm sure is similar. Suspension also way superior, but not fully appreciated until through turns at 120mph-ish. Like yours though - I seem to remember that you really had to bully it through the turns - quite physically challenging to tip it in quickly.

[@Merch131ho]

Yes, your right, I've ridden an SP4, I think the cams make most of the difference. SP's are worth a lot more and are no doubt more collectable, though the early SP1 /2 have fragile engines, for a road bike I'm happy to stick with my tweaked Strada

[@spscorse]

When you are ready to sell let me know beautiful Ducati

[@MrJudge51]

Same same bro. :-)

[@harryw9598]

stainless bolts to hold brakecalipers aint got no buisiness on my bike, just saying,

[@Merch131ho]

They are A8 (DIN 933) spec, not much different in tensile strength as OE fitted steel fasteners. Been using them on many bikes for decades, never had an issue. Just got to watch out for galvanic corrosion.. which occurs even with OE bolts in alloy.