Motoscrubs.com

the 350 has finally come from NZ. There are some issues with it:
1. despite the engine number starting with DM350, it has 10 fins on the cylinder, so I think it has a 450 top end.
2. the previous owner has put on a locking fuel cap, and I can't get the key to turn, so I can't get the cap off. I've sprayed WD40 in it and let it sit o/n, still won't turn.
3. The swing arm has some sort of custom chain tensioner.

Photos attached.

it is a 350 allright. the very late Mototrans with the square finning on the barrel has 10 fins instead of 9 on the 350 .


Eldert

ah , excellent, thank you.

it's also got cast wheels, and I'd like to go back to the spoked wheels.

If I can't get the fuel cap off, I might have to drill out the lock. I'd be pleased to hear any suggestions here.

Those locking fuel caps are a standard fitting on the late Mototrans models.
It may sound a bit brutal, but the best way of getting it off is to pry the whole cap off with a lever.
If you do that it will bend the locking plate underneath.
This will allow the cap to come off.
Once it's off, you can remove the circlip holding the locking plate on and get the barrel out of the lock.
You can then get your nearest locksmith to make you a key to fit the barrel and re-fit the whole lot, after straightening out the locking plate that got bent in the first place.
If your local locksmith can't make you a key, buy a cheap cam-lock and use the internals from that.
I have repaired a number of these fuel caps in the past and have seen all sort of bodges done to them.
Looks like you have got a Vento from about 1978 there.

Jon

I forgot to say that those cast FPS wheels are the right fitting for an early Vento.
You won't be able to fit Italian spoked wheels into that chassis without making up some special spacers to fit them.
The wheel spindles are also a bigger diameter.
Keep it standard.

Jon

well fan my brow, a vento. I'd never heard of it until now. So yes the wheels are stock, which is great, and likewise the rear shocks and double discs. This is getting better and better. Now the challenge will be to get the side covers.

so is a ducati or a mototrans?

It is a Ducati, but a Mototrans Ducati.
Try Mil Anuncios.com item no r39364517 for a pair of side boxes and covers.
Craig in France has some better Vento photos than I have.
Maybe he will post a few.
Perhaps he will wait until the respray is finished.

Jon

amazing. Well, I've sent an email to someone in Spain saying I'm interested.
Thanks for the great info!

well, after putting WD40 into the tank lock for a couple of days, and with someone else pushing down on the cap with all their weight, I could just turn it. So now it's off, and once I've cleaned it up, all will be fine. Thanks everyone for the advice.