1981 Ducati Mike Hailwood Replica

Registration No: MLJ 857W
Frame No: 900599
MOT: Exempt

• Ducati 900 MHR Mike Hailwood Replica
• Owned since 1982 by its second owner
• Supplied with many receipts and a V5C

Ducati was established in 1926 and by the 1960s had become associated with performance bikes, selling a range of sporty 250 and 350 singles. In response to the demand for larger capacity bikes, chief engineer Fabio Taglioni designed the classic V-twin bevel drive engine first used in the 1971 GT750. This proved to be an immediate success, helped considerably by Paul Smart's win in the 1972 Imola 200 race. This began a long tradition of race-winning V-twins that have gone on to dominate World Superbike racing over the years. In spite of Ducati's continued success in World Superbike and Moto GP, their most famous victory was Mike Hailwood's amazing victory in the 1978 IOM TT Formula 1 race. After retiring from bike racing in the late 1960s and carrying injuries from his Formula 1 car racing career, he won his comeback race adding to his already legendary status. After Mike's spectacular victory on the NCR Sports Motorcycles Ducati, the factory commemorated his win with the introduction of a race replica based on the 900SS. Originally titled the ‘900 Replica’, the 1979 model was only produced in a limited run of around 200 bikes and had a fibreglass cover over a regular 900 Super Sport fuel tank. By 1980 the fuel tank was made from steel but the bike was essentially the same as the 1979 version with Brembo brake callipers and Dell’Orto carburettors.

This MHR was bought new from Three Cross Motor Cycles in January 1981, and the frame number of 900599 would suggest it's a 1980 model with a steel petrol tank and a one piece fairing. Bought by the vendor in 1983, who was at the time serving in the Army, he took it with him on a posting in Alberta Canada before returning to the UK in 1986. Whilst in Canada, he enjoyed a 1350 miles round trip to Vancouver Island to attend a wedding. Once back home, the bike was recommissioned by Tony Brancato in 1991 and used sparingly by the vendor over the next 30 years. Interestingly in 2017, it was used in the movie 'The Take Down' where the vendor himself had to become a stunt double as none of the actors could ride a bike. Throughout its life it has been maintained mainly by Tony Brancato, with a couple of services by Moto Rapido, who have recently recommissioned the bike in time for the auction. It will come supplied with many receipts showing its service history, an owners manual and a Haynes manual together with a current V5C.

For more information, please contact:
Ian Cunningham
ian.cunningham@handh.co.uk
07415871189