Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
Viewing: Tuesday 8th July from 1pm
Auction: Wednesday 9th July from 9am
Location: National Motorcycle Museum, Coventry Road, Bickenhill, Solihull B92 0EJ
Ducati 100 Special
No Reserve
Registration No: 804 XVJ
Frame No: 12877
MOT: Exempt
Part of the Pip Higham collection
Beautifully presented and modified
Supplied with a current V5C
Pip Higham is a highly respected former motorcycle dealer, classic magazine columnist and record breaking drag racer who was inducted into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2017 after his exploits throughout his career. The background for all this success was Pip’s own business, the ‘Village Bike Shop’ in Manchester, where he provided a service for those who wished to go that little bit quicker than the rest. The quest for more performance saw him develope mainly Suzuki based specials, racing in the Streetbike class across Europe and ultimately America, becoming the first European into the ten second bracket and then the first rider ever into the nines. ‘The Deuce’, a VBS development producing 160 bhp using Pip’s own tuning parts, ran in the nine second bracket many times at terminal speeds up to 154 mph for the quarter mile. A lifelong motorcycle enthusiast Pip has also restored many bikes, especially Ducati singles, to a very high standard, sometimes incorporating subtle little modifications to improve performance.
This beautifully presented little Ducati, being offered at no reserve, has been subtly modified by Pip using his many years of experience. In his own words.... 'I christened this bike ‘The Mule’ and it was intended to be a road legal testbed in which I could run a 100cc (Or larger!) motor for record attempts, however it soon took on an identity all its own. At first glance it has a normal Ducati chassis but on closer inspection you then spot the Aprilia upside-down forks, beautiful Talon hubs spoked to 17 inch alloy rims with new Michelin tyres and disc brakes at both ends. It has a steel tank and a new seat, in fact most of the parts are new or very close to and it has a 12V lithium battery fitted with an on board volt meter. The engine started out as a 160cc baby Monza, however, it has been radically modified with special one off straight cut primary gears and a Japanese clutch (Yamaha I think, can’t remember!) The crank features an offset crankpin to shorten the stroke with a new Honda conrod, the pin was made specially for me by GP precision in Barkshire, there is another pin which I will include (these were EXPENSIVE!!!). This could be used to build another motor, either with short stroke or flipped it could make a long stroke motor. To complement the shorter stroke the engine now has a Honda piston and the cylinder and bevel drive have been shortened to suit. The cylinder head was re-worked by my pal Roger Upperton and now has coil springs and Titanium valves from a Suzuki GSXR1000 and a Hayabusa! Amazingly, it all works together with a Mikuni Flatslide carb and a simple megaphone exhaust, needless to say it has all new bearings throughout.' Not run since last year it will need the normal checks before use, supplied with a current V5C.
** Bidding will take place live at the venue, online via our H&H website, by telephone and commission - T&Cs apply**
Parking and entry into the auction is free for auction attendees with a catalogue, available at the door.
Catalogues can be purchased for £20 (admits 2 people).
