MY DUCATI F2 REP TOO
I was interested to see the letter from Paul Archer detailing the build of the F2 Ducati replica in the July issue – I bought the bike from Paul over 25 years ago and kept it for 14 years. He did an excellent job with the build, the fairing and seat panels being in carbon fibre.
I did some changes to the bike; Paul had fitted Suzuki forks and calipers (from an RG500, I think) so I changed them for the correct forks and Brembo calipers. The wheels were the earlier type (Speedline, I think) and prone to cracking, so I fitted a set of later wheels and had them powder-coated gold. I also replaced the fuse box – it was a type with circular fuses that would vibrate out, leading to a complete shutdown – for one with bayonet fuses, which cured the problem. The engine was rebuilt, too.
I even had a Tony Rutter livery on my helmet to match the bike and used to ride it from Derby to Cadwell for the Ducati Owners Club track day. I loved the bike, the only fault being a really heavy clutch and the fact that it was very cramped for my 6ft 4in frame. The clutch was so heavy that when riding back from Cadwell (having ridden there and done a couple of track sessions), I had to stop at least twice with my left arm suffering from arm pump!
The photo on the left shows the bike with the correct forks, Brembo calipers and the gold wheels.
The photo at Cadwell shows the bike as built by Paul, with Suzuki forks and calipers and yellow wheels. I eventually sold the bike in 2011, to a Frenchman who was going to present it to his father (who used to race a Pantah) as a birthday present. At the time I sold it I was 63 – it was getting really cramped, particularly for my knees!