Own a classic Ducati? Ride Em Don't Hide Em

[@joannedickie7863]

You could not meet a nicer bloke than Big Al or a more dedicated Ducati enthusiast. Great article.

[@BikerTorque]

Spot on. Thanks for watching

[@toronto6752]

Hello from Canada . I own a 1973 GT. Bought it in 1990. Still riding it. Doing track days on a 675 Daytona. Turning 71 this year. Keep riding Al!

[@BikerTorque]

That’s awesome. The Daytona would be fun on track

[@pjakszentis]

Just hearing the Contis reminded me of my 1981 600 Pantah, with short Contis, single wall exhaust manifolds 2-2 plus the sound of the open Dellortos. Full restoration will be an retirement project

[@BikerTorque]

Nice one, good luck with the resto.

[@alfajuj]

I had a very early 750 GT, serial number 0045 back in the 90's which had been race prepped. It was just magical.

[@BikerTorque]

When you say race prepped, what was different from a stock 750 GT. I imagine that would have been a fun bike

[@lrowlands53]

Great video and an inspiring interlude. Thanks. My first Ducati was the 750 GT. It was a classy tourer and I enjoyed many smooth miles on it. Since then I've owned a 350 non desmo, a 450 desmo, a 748 and now a Scrambler. They have all been great bikes to own and ride.

[@BikerTorque]

That's a great collection of bikes, all great bikes.

[@lrowlands53]

@ I only have the 2016 Scrambler currently and cry about letting the 748 go every day.

[@RoadsOfOz]

Al is spot on with classic bike ownership. they are a great second bike. Good to hear he uses the "appreciating assett" argument too. I have used it a few times with varying degrees of success.

[@BikerTorque]

Yes, I got that argument over the line once, not sure it will work a second time, but willing to give it a try.

[@RoadsOfOz]

@ the trick is to sell a bike for much more than you paid for it. That way you can always reference back to it (selling motorcycles during covid helped when people were paying stupid money for anything with wheels). The other trick is to constantly show your partner bikes that you have ,that others have for sale. Especially the ones that are asking way more than you paid for yours. Do this every few months and the next purchase of an older bike will be easier to get across the line. Follow me for more tips on buying bikes that you really don’t need.

[@BikerTorque]

Ahhh, I think I see the floor in your plan. What if you never sell? But happy to take your advice Matty😂

[@hachewie]

Mary-Anne called out from the lounge room, "How stupid do you think we are?"

[@BikerTorque]

@ lol, well we have to at least try

[@seldomseen7835]

Hay Al I agree with you regarding riding your classey classics. I own five 750 GTs having an engine built at the moment a roundcase 750 GT with 860 Darmer barrels and desmo heads also a plane main bearing conversion. Perfection can be improved on… classic looks and character with modern reliability and performance. Keep upright and keep riding. Wobbels the mad Aussie.

[@BikerTorque]

5 x 750 GTs, that’s awesome. Thanks for watching

[@BigBert]

Nice work Al, keep riding them as long as you can mate 😎🤙🏻

[@BikerTorque]

I reckon thats the plan Big Bert.

[@TheEnfieldGuy]

Yeah Big Al!!!! Lovely human being.

[@BikerTorque]

Hey Jimi, sure is.

[@BSAroadrocket]

Nice! I'm rebuilding a '73 GT in that color scheme, am missing the headlight and have quite a few things to sort but really looking forward to having it on the road.

[@BikerTorque]

Good luck with the restoration, be great to get it back on the road

[@skotty1962]

Beats me. Only 46 years. 👍😊 I bought a new Himi 450 without a test ride as well! Lovin it.

[@BikerTorque]

They are an impressive bike, one of my favourites that I have ridden so far this year, seriously thinking I need to make some space in the garage for one

[@GregTheBearMorris]

BIG Al sure knows his stuff, if I was younger and fitter, I'd go get me a bike!!

[@BikerTorque]

lol, never to old.

[@jamesmuller4232]

Great video thanks. Al was great.

[@BikerTorque]

Cheers! He’s a good bloke. Thanks for checking out the video

[@hachewie]

Been riding longer than I've been alive. Awesome.

[@BikerTorque]

@@hachewie It is pretty awesome

[@kalgaramerinos7085]

Wonder how he got on for oil changes going to Perth? I had to do a roadside change at Nullabor roadhouse on my 750GT in 1980. Had to carry the oil as 50W wasn't stocked in your average garage. Oil changes aside as he says they are a great bike. I still have mine, along with a Cagiva Allazzurra which is also a great tourer and a few singles. Which are not great tourers....lol...

[@BikerTorque]

Great question, I didn’t think to ask that. It’s about a 4000km trip so would have had to do one at either end and carry enough oil for a change half way. I must ask Big Al when I see him next

[@troyscherr5054]

851 views and I ride a 91' 851!!! Been riding it for 21 years. Also ride a 83' Yamaha TT 600 and a 2000 Banshee. Life is good 👍

[@BikerTorque]

Nice one, enjoy

[@coobye]

Al must be just up the road from me somewhere judging by the video. I've still got my '84 MHR that I bought new.

[@BikerTorque]

That’s a couple of MHR’s that I know of in your area. Great bike thanks for watching

[@chrislaw4958]

I had the pleasure of travelling from Sydney to Tailem Bend with this legend of a man. All the stories. Not a dull moment. I'm richer for the time.

[@BikerTorque]

That would have been a fun trip. Thanks for watching

[@marcbrasse747]

Totally agreee but my Pantah 600 TL based special developed a fueling / ignition problem I still have to sort out.

[@BikerTorque]

Hope you get it sorted

[@alandmorley]

What's your thoughts on the new Moto Morini 3/12?

[@BikerTorque]

I think it looks pretty cool, but isn’t the powerhouse bike that it’s namesake was way back in the mid 1970s. Having said that the styling is on point, will be interested to see price, considering it’s a liquid cooled v-twin that’s only putting out about 32 horsepower. Not sure we are going to see them in Australia though.

[@philjordan1058]

Awesome, Queensland solo registration used to be half price now is only $50 less than standard. Not sure classic registration it feels we're being ripped off

[@BikerTorque]

Do you have a classic / historic rego scheme in Qld? I don’t think we have solo rego here in NSW but could be wrong

[@Paul-kp1tu]

Al, what insurance company are you with to get those benefits on the older bike?

[@coobye]

NRMA does cheap insurance for bikes with classic/historic rego. My '84 MHR is insured for $35K and costs under $200 a year. Hope this helps.

[@BikerTorque]

I think you get similar benefits with NRMA, Swann and Shannon’s here in NSW. Not sure who Big Al is with

[@BikerTorque]

Bargain

[@billyt53]

@@BikerTorque Historic rego in NSW is cheap inc green slip..... about $ 80 first up then about $50 thereafter.

[@BikerTorque]

@@billyt53I’m all over that, have 3 bikes on historic rego, and don’t ride any of them anywhere nearly enough.

[@PaulEvemy]

Don't those dukes need valve adjustment every five hundred kilometres be very expensive to keep running good

[@joannedickie7863]

My 750 Sport was rebuilt by Arthur davis of Desmo HQ over 10 years ago. Besides changing oil & other routine maintenance, the only thing I have done is a minor adjustment to the idle speed. I've owned my Sport from new & I have no intention of selling it while I am still able to ride. I also have a Bimota DB1 with a 750 F1 desmo engine & it needs no more maintenance than my wife's Suzuki GSX1250.

[@BikerTorque]

I think it’s a regular valve check like most bikes, but don’t think it’s every 500 kms

[@BikerTorque]

Some nice bikes in the collection. Thanks for watching

[@RalphMelville]

Desmo ‘s need checking every 5000k’s , often 3 out of four valves are in spec The GT has normal valve springs , as it is touring orientated Big Al would know about service intervals

[@BikerTorque]

5000kms makes sense, not 500 kms.