Ducati dating
I’ve been offered a claimed 1964 Ducati Elite, which, although having no documents, has a C index coded (1965) numberplate. I thought Ducati Elites were only made in the very early 1960s? Although I would like to have this bike, I don’t want to buy a ‘pig in a poke,’ so could you confirm the Elite’s production dates, how the machine was conceived and what carburettor should be fitted, as this one currently has a Mikuni.
Graham Nichol, email and telephone, Greater London.
The 204cc sohc single cylinder Ducati 200 Elite was developed from the existing 175cc sohc Ducati Americano (175TS) built 1958-60 with engine dimensions of 62x57.8mm bore x stroke. To achieve the 204cc 200 Elite (aka 200 Americano and TS), the 175cc engine’s bore was opened out to 67mm. The Elite was in production 1959-1965 and the 244lb (111kg) machine had a power output of 18bhp at 7500rpm, giving a factory claimed top speed of 85mph. Originally, the Elite was fitted with a 24mm Dell’Orto carburettor.