Motoscrubs.com

Hi Scrubs, new member here, picked up this wonderful '74 450 "Jupiter" Scrambler from Bring-a-Trailer: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974- ... 50-single/
Foil tag: VIN 462737, Model 1974, Mfg date 2/74. Engine is DM450 with same 462737. 6,051 miles. I’m somewhat familiar with bevels as my son and I resurrected a ’73 350 Mototrans Road, but I am sure I’ll be reaching out for help here as I get more into this bike. My main interest for now is to see if anyone here can help me uncover more of its history. Mechanically it is very sound, lead seal in-place, and seems all original and unmolested. Appearance-wise it’s been given more of a cruiser look with chromed mudguards, chrome teardrop bucket, black tank (it’s yellow underneath), lower bars and chrome-covered shocks (original Silentium is gone). Original manuals/documentation are missing. Seller bought it April 2007 from Conard Schultz (Brit bike fixture in Knoxville who passed away in 2019) in this configuration and put just a few miles on it. Seller has no knowledge of its history pre-Conard. Speculation is it could have been sold originally by the Hayes dealership in Johnson City, TN? The only other “forensic” piece of evidence is a North Carolina Motorcycle Inspection Certificate on the fork with expiration APR ’91 and “MT 247015.” (I called NC DOT but they do not reveal owner information.) Ian Falloon’s book says only 73 of these were made in 1974, so I’m hopeful someone recognizes this bike, perhaps someone from NC. Worth a shot asking, anyway! Have met several nice people already, including Somer Hooker who listed the bike for the seller, who’ve provided advice on parts and manuals sources. Hope to meet more! Thank you.

Hi Alex,

You are very lucky to have found an engine with the lead seal in place, it is very reassuring to know that no-one has been hammering at things inside.

Good luck,

Colin

Hello Alex,

Nice Scrambler, looks to be in very good condition.
Ducati Vintage Store in Italy is a good place for parts.
There may be a frame number or model designation stamped into the front of the steering stem at the front of the frame. But being a US import it may only have the foil sticker with the engine number and date.
It is a late model by the engine number and the late 450 cases with the wide spaced bolts front and rear of the cylinder.

Nice bike, enjoy.

Graeme

Thanks Colin and Graeme. There are no numbers that I can find stamped at the front of the frame. Just the foil sticker. If that's an indicator of a US market bike (do I understand that correctly?) then that would makes sense. And I see what you mean about the wide spaced bolts front and rear of the cylinder - a cool little detail.

Also, the last 450 scrambler were black like you’re bike. (from pictures I’ve seen on Italian scrambler club)
And from what I’ve seen on the web US delivery bikes don’t always have anything stamped into the frame.

Graeme

Nice bike indeed, congrats!

And I see what you mean about the wide spaced bolts front and rear of the cylinder - a cool little detail.
Top

And this detail requires a different center gasket between the case halves. Btw, my '73 350 Desmo also has such wide spaced bolts.

cheers Hans

Alex450Jupiter wrote:Thanks Colin and Graeme. There are no numbers that I can find stamped at the front of the frame. Just the foil sticker. If that's an indicator of a US market bike (do I understand that correctly?) then that would makes sense. And I see what you mean about the wide spaced bolts front and rear of the cylinder - a cool little detail.

Yes, a US bike. I bought an 1971 ex-USA RT that had only a foil sticker for ID purposes, there was no stamped-in frame number.

graeme wrote:88E1ECAD-3A88-48CA-B592-F10A963A640C.jpeg

I’ve found this picture previously but do we know for sure it represents the configuration for a ‘74 US 450 Scrambler? My main interest (at this point) is what the “correct” silencer should be. ‘74 data seems sketchy and maybe they were fitted with different styles from new, but I’ve seen references and pictures (not all ‘74s and not all 450s) with both short and long cigar, megaphone and “salami slice” types. Pretty sure all were Silentium. Can anyone confirm what was correct from new?

https://www.ducativintagestore.com/shor ... ase_models

They say the short for US market. Others are shown.
Yours is a series 2 model if that helps

Regards
Graeme