A 33 year love affair. Part One

[Team Dennis]

The seat held up well over the years and while the foam is somewhat crunchy, the cover still looks good, including the lettering.











Original safety wire on the exhaust nut.








A new filter in the RH tool box.











And a few appropriate rags in the LH toolbox.

[Team Dennis]

One year later the transformation was complete.














Before




















After

[Team Dennis]

The final post after I start Happy hour in Az.

A couple of more shots to hold you over.

[Team Dennis]

So in review,, Don bought it Wisconsin,, sold it to Greg who lives in Wisconsin,,,,,,,,who sold it to TD who lives in AZ. Now Don lives in Az while TD restored it. Don has too many bikes including 1 in his home office as does TD who has one in his bedroom. (thanks SuzyQ)






Greg owns a bike that Don sold him, but none in the house.The Ducati title is still in Greg's name and has not been transferred to TD.
It all finally made sense.






















Needless to say Greg was in SHOCK when I gave him his early xmas present. In fact I had to tell him 3 times before it finally sunk in.
It only had 2 strings attached to it.

1) It had to be stored inside.

2) He couldn't take it apart.




TeamGreg on left. Donnie in the middle. TD on the right.

THE END

[Team Dennis]

Prologue

Both Donnie and TeamGreg were in awe when they found out that the one thing I took off the bike exceeds the value of what I paid for it.





While TeamGreg was here we acted on a tip of some old Triumph's in a garage that were for sale.






Doh. Of course we went. TD needs a winter project.

[GregInBoulder]

Great read TD!!

[nomiles]

Well done, TD! you did a nice job, giving it to your brother was very cool! Good luck and have fun with the Triumph's.

[Team Dennis]

Originally Posted by nomiles

Well done, TD! you did a nice job, giving it to your brother was very cool! Good luck and have fun with the Triumph's.

The Triumph's did not come home with me. The owner had unrealistic expectations on their value.

[arroyoshark]

Nice read, Dennis!

Having met ya, seen your shop/garage, and experienced your enthusiasm for motorcycles, I am sure you could do no less.

Back when I was a teen, I wanted one of these real bad. Ended up getting a H-D Sprint 250 instead because of better local dealer support. Enjoyed viewing your Duc this summer when it was still a work in progress.

[Team Dennis]

Thanks Chuck. For those who did not know, Chuck sold me that immaculate CB400F that now resides in the bedroom.

[safetywire]

Great thread, no doubt about it!


Now, back to that paint. So it was spray can orange, and you were sanding it? Was that lacquer paint or regular enamel? Didn't know you could do that with enamel, thought they didn't make lacquer anymore, how about a little more detail?

Thanks!!

[PaleRider]

Very nice job on the resto TeamDennis - I like the color choice and the tank details, hell, the whole bike looks great - P

[Team Dennis]

Originally Posted by Joe Granitesun

Great thread, no doubt about it!


Now, back to that paint. So it was spray can orange, and you were sanding it? Was that lacquer paint or regular enamel? Didn't know you could do that with enamel, thought they didn't make lacquer anymore, how about a little more detail?

Thanks!!

Regular enamel was used as lacquer is almost impossible to find. While lacquer is easier and quicker to use due to its fast dry time, enamel sometimes works better as mistakes such as sags actually have time to meld. The only key is to let it dry for at least a week. No dry sanding was done. Only extensive wet sanding with the different grits listed. Because you take a fair amount of paint away with the sanding, it is critical to have a lot of coats to begin with. Various grits of polishing compound will bring the luster back. I finished with hand glaze which has the same grit consistency of windshield polish.

The front fender was smooth enough at one point in the process that it actually needed no sanding whatsoever.But the color depth changed with the additional sanding and polish and it matched everything else better.

TD

[SofaKing]

Great story Dennis and a great gift for your brother. I doubt he will be taking it apart.

As a side note, I took a trip to GP Cycles in downtown San Diego Friday. They had both an orange and yellow Duc as you described. The orange one was up stairs minus the motor, but it had the toaster tank. I remember admiring it. In my youthful ignorace I didn't know what I was looking at.

[grizz]

Absolutely awesome...... Need need need ..... want!!!!!