Lost on a monza 250??

[boat#548]

Well here we go again, I know this question has been asked many times before. but im a slow learner.. we've had two old ducati's in my family since before i was born. both look alike but nither has vin# plates nor have i found any stamped numbers on the frame where the manual tells me they should be.. The engine number for one is DM250 86907. its a five speed. The other says DM250 80316 its a four speed..The handles bars have the same shape but shorter(not as tall) for the 86907 both have the same gas tanks,tool box,etc.. if you could help me out with the years these bike were mfg. that would be gold.. And some addvice: If your 9 years old and your older brother bets you that you can't hit that tail light with your bb gun..dont take that bet!!...it was a painful experience and you might just wind up with a inherenting a 250 ducati with a broken taillight... thanks

[JimF]

Some pictures would go a long way to helping ID the bikes, but the only one I have that has a serial number on the frame is a Mach 1.

Generally speaking there were no numbers stamped on the frame, and Berliner would put a foil plate on the head-stock presumably to meet some federal regulations to have some kind of ID on the motorcycle.

Some taillights are very common and the lenses are readily available. A few are as precious as gold.

I congratulate you on being able to take the dare and hit the taillight. Good shot!

Jim

[double diamond]

The 80316 is a very early number. The engine number is probably stamped on the left case and the DM250 on the right. Can you tell what the original paint colors were? The earliest Monzas were blue and gold and did not have the chrome flare on the tank. If this is the case, the gas tank will not be chrome under the paint. The early Monza also had an Aprilia horn, later had CEV. It should have Campagnolo hubs rather than the later Grimeca hubs. The most obvious indication of these hubs is the absence of an air scoop on the speedo drive plate and no radially disposed ribs on the sprocket drive plate between the sprocket flange and the axle. The rims should be something other than the typical Radaelli rims which were used on later years. If all of the above apply, 80316 could be a 1961, 1962 at the latest. 86907 is several years later. The 5-speed was introduced in 1964. 1966 was the first year of the square style bodywork. So 86907 would be a 1964 or 65. You can look on the front brake stay boss for a year number stamped on the boss. There is no distinction between the 1964 and 1965 Monza so calling it one year or the other is a best guess without any other documentation to support year assignment . Matt

[Ventodue]

Excellent post, Matt - thanks for the info. I'll be filing that one ...

Craig