Junior racer

Having read the story in the last issue of OBA 74 about the restoration of a Ducati Monza Junior, I thought you might be interested on my take on the same machine. When I bought my 1965 Series 2 in 2007, it had been (legally) converted to a monoposto (single seat) and besides being painted yellow, it was a mishmash of correct Monza Junior components, some from the “round look” Series 1, some from Series 2, Japanese front end and 18” Japanese rims, Ace bars and a dodgy Keihin carby. The saving grace was that the engine had been professionally rebuilt and electrics redone. It also came with all the original and correct components, so I contemplated returning it to the stock form as per the one featured in OBA. However, inspired by the monoposto seat conversion and urging by my Italian friends, I opted to go all-out for a sort of “flat tracker/boy racer/speciale” version. What followed was a complete repaint in period-correct colour scheme (with a bit of sexing up of the red), new Dell ‘Orto carby, replica Silen- tium muffler, rebuild and refit of original front end, NOS Borrani 18” rims with stainless spokes laced to original hubs, folding rear sets fitted to pillion peg points, flat tracker bars and harmonising all tin-ware to the more aesthetically pleasing “round look” of the series 1 Junior.

What you see is the final result...just shows you what you can do with enough imagination, money and red wine. Now on club plates, the Junior makes a great weekend-run-to-the-café ride that never fails to draw comment and more than a few requests for photos. Gary Edgar Brisbane, Qld.