Ducati TT1 Replica

The Formula TT 1, 2 and 3 classes were created in 1980, adopting a very similar set of rules to the Isle of Man’s Formula 1, 2 and 3 World Championships. Initially Ducati’s racing Pantah used the kit that was available to anyone who could afford it, comprising engine and suspension upgrades along with alternative bodywork. Ducati’s Fabio Taglioni appreciated the Pantah was a compromised road bike designed for mass production so he set about an almost complete redesign of the Pantah with only the engine (complete with electric starter as required by the FMI rules) to create a new racing Pantah that looked nothing like the original 500SL. This was the 1981 597cc TT2, named after the Italian series it was designed to compete in and the new Ducati was immediately dominant, even against Bimota’s Kawasaki-powered, four cylinder, KB2 Laser. A TT2 sleeved to the Pantah’s original 499cc came 7^th in the Mugello round of the 1981 500cc Italian Championship, only beaten by Suzuki RG500s and Yamaha TZ500s.

With Tony Rutter aboard the TT2 powered to four Formula 2 World Championships and Tony was only beaten on the near identical 748cc TT1 on the Isle of Man by a brace of factory Honda RVF750s ridden by Joey Dunlop and Roger Marshall: bikes with over 120bhp compared to the TT1’s claimed 80. As late as 1986 Marco Lucchinelli won the opening round of the Formula 1 World Championship at Misano on a TT1. This is why the Ducati TT2 and TT1 are so revered by Ducati fans. They were Taglioni’s last stand and could beat motorcycles with a specification that suggested the little Ducati was on a hiding to nothing. Only 50 TT2s were built, plus perhaps as many as 13 TT1s and a handful of factory racers, yet the design was so good that replicas are still competitive in many classes of racing.

Since its completion in 2009, this Ducati TT1 rep has taken part in both UK and European events including Spa and Imola and it has been paraded with the CRMC on many occasions but has never been raced. It has been meticulously developed and maintained and was fully serviced with new tyres for the Classic Bike Track Days events last year (but not used).

Built by Lance Johnson (FenTiger) the TT1 rep has many unique parts including a new Verlicchi (chrome molly) frame and swinging arm, Forcella Italia forks, Marvic 17” 3 spoke wheels and Brembo 300mm fully floating discs. The engine has all new internals including bearings, pistons and rings, seals and clutch plates and external oil cooler. Specification: 

• Engine              650cc Pantah twin with starter and charging system
• Carburation        New Dellorto PHF 36mm units with Molosi inlets manifolds
• Exhaust             Race replica made by Harris Engineering with baffle kit   
• Gearing             15T engine and 40T rear sprockets with 520 chain 
• Body work         Original fairing and front guard with new tank, seat and catch tank     
• Frame               Verlecchi with mono shock swinging arm and custom rearsets
• Suspension        Forcella Italia forks 40mm fully adjustable damping and replica works rear unit
• Brakes               Brembo front/rear M/C, P4/PO5 callipers with braided lines
• Wheels & tyres   Marvic 17” with Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa tyres (one meeting) 
• Spares              Two rear seats (small and medium) front and rear stands

 The new owner will provided with a handover and briefing on the bikes operation and maintenance. A photographic history of the build and track use will be provided with all the invoices. A small selection of spares will also be provided. It is presented for sale in the full replica spec with period stickers like Rutter’s bike, as in the later photographs and recent video.

Selling for a friend who has created and maintained this fine machine to a very high standard indeed. It really is as good as it looks.