I need help with 1965 Scrambler.

[sebouh]

Hello All,

New poster, but old rider of Ducs.
I just picked-up a 1965 scrambler from seattle. I need a lotta help. Bike is a bastard, with a yamaha front end. I want to do a full restore back to original. I need a whole front end. I am not sure what parts are original to bike, until I dismantle it.

1. Where do I find a 1965 front end?
2. Who can do a engine rebuild and polish on a 1965 single? Engine runs but rusty.
3. Tell me why I bought this bike? Am I nuts?

Sebouh
Northern Illinois

[DewCatTea-Bob]

" New poster, but old rider of Ducs. "

____ Welcome Sebouh, as our newest listed-member !


" I just picked-up a 1965 scrambler from seattle.
I am not sure what parts are original to bike, "

____ How about letting us see a picture or two, of your nice-find ?
__ I've added a pic of a 1963 sales-sheet for the 250-Scrambler. _ Hopefully that will be of some help, so as to get a better idea of what's not exactly stock on yours !
The '65 version's most noticeable differences from that of the pictured 1963 Scrambler-model, is: the tail-light bracket type & fake air-scoops of the newer wheel-hub covers.


DUKE-Cheers,
-Bob

[sebouh]

Here are pics, not the best.
Anything you guys can tell me about the bike would help. I wish I could tack down year /years of production to restore appropiate parts.

smallscrambler_001.jpg

[sebouh]

more pics

[sebouh]

more pics

[DewCatTea-Bob]

" Here are pics, not the best. "

____ I myself (with my monitor) really can't be too sure about that but, some of them did require different amounts of alteration-adjustments in order for me to see them all very well.

" I wish I could tack down year /years of production to restore appropiate parts. "

____ It's indeed a "1965" Scrambler-model ! _ Although it has Monza-type gas-tank (with unknown pet-cocks) & rear-sprocket.
Also an Amal-carb -(what size is it, 27mm?), and aftermarket-shocks.
__ In my fairly-good opinion, it would be a certain shame to bother with trying to "restore" this particular Duke back to original ! _ As someone has already gone to much extent to IMPROVE it ! ...
I wouldn't go so far as to say it's really 'well done' but, I can pretty-much assure you that it's now certainly a better Duke/bike that it was originally ! _ I myself would only change the tank & little else, and consider it to be a 'rider'.
__ If you really wish to put yourself through the tedious challenge of completely restoring an old Duke, then please find another one, one which REALLY needs it ! _ As THIS one really doesn't NEED restoring !
If YOU don't like it better than it was as when completely original, then you ought to sell it to someone who can appreciate it much as it currently is ! _ Please don't get me wrong here, as I'm not at all getting-down on you for preferring to prefer an all original-Duke ! _ It's just that I-MYSELF think that this one should be left pretty-much as-is, (except for whatever-else it might need, of course).
__ Anyone else, please chime-in with YOUR opinions, so that it may help steer Sebouh to a more firm decision concerning what ought to be done with his already fairly-nice Duke.


Hopeful-Cheers,
-Bob

[DewCatTea-Bob]

____ It's been quite disappointing that no-one else here has yet stepped-forth with an opinion on whether Sebouh should actually bother to try to restore his Scrambler/Duke back to stock-form !
I-myself have already indicated that I believe that such an extended project is apt to never get completed,, and since his Duke is already much improved over that which it once was, that he ought prefer to get a much more suitable Scrambler or other Duke-model more worthy of complete-restoration !
__ In fact I have a completely original Scrambler in much need of restoration (to any degree), which I'd gladly trade (part-for-part) for the parts which he doesn't seem to want on his ! _ Then he'd have a much easier time of it !
However, it's still fairly doubtful to me that Sebouh or anyone-else would have much good-reason for wishing to fully-restore any common n-c Scrambler back to the inferior Duke-model which they once were,, cuz after-all, it's certainly no M1 or Mk3 !! _ And so alteration of this particular rider-Duke would not much change it's actual value to those who would prefer it converted to a cafe-Duke or street-rider. _ And the combined-expense of full-restoration of this particular Scrambler would likely exceed the value of it's completed-form to most any stock-Duke collector, (cuz once again it's not a relatively rare model !).
____ PLEASE, either someone-else agree with me or try to convince us that Sebouh's restoration-project has any kind of worth-while merit to hang-on to ! - (I really don't care which actually, as my-own values could very well be quite different than that of the majority of us Dukers.)


Hopeful-Cheers,
-Bob

[Pete]

I agree with Bob. If it works, keep it like it is and have fun riding.

Pete

[sebouh]

Bob,

I hear what you are saying about letting this go, and work on another. But I starting looking about 6-months ago for Diana, or scramble, or even a bronco to restore. I don't know if I am looking in the wrong places, but I searched EBAY, craigslist, swapmeets, ducati forums, I just couldnt find one that was running that didn't need multiple engine parts and a full engine rebuild. I would have love to barn roller with a complete engine. I really think the '65 scrambler looks super bad-ass. I was born 8 years after Ducati made this bike. It just looks right. Big tires, shock covers, fork covers, huge-looking 250 engine, short seat. Not a big fan of the handle bars, but what can you do? I am restoring this bike for me, not for the market, nor for anyone else. This bike is mine now. I plan on holding onto to it for the next 30 years and having my sons fight over it when I die.

Sebouh

By the way how we all feel about Magneto vs. 6 volt battery. This bike is magneto, should I keep it as such?

[DewCatTea-Bob]

" I really think the '65 scrambler looks super bad-ass.
It just looks right. Big tires, shock covers, fork covers, huge-looking 250 engine, short seat. "

____ Well Sebouh, it's nice to finally get an idea of what your reasoning is for your particular project ! ... And that is that you mainly just like the styling-looks of the n-c Scrambler ! _ And you know what? - I can completely understand that ! _ As I too find that unique look quite appealing as well !
And so now your project begins to make better & fairly-reasonable sense to me !
__ But before going to all the trouble concerning the forks, the biggest single-improvement to get The-Look back with, is to install a stock-Scrambler fuel-tank !
Don't you agree that that's your main obstacle to getting back the look you desire ?


" By the way how we all feel about Magneto vs. 6 volt battery. This bike is magneto, should I keep it as such? "

____ The best compromise plan for so equipped motors is to retain the batteryless-type ignition, but convert the lighting-electrics to be powered by battery.


DUKE-Cheers,
-Bob