So the bike turned up this morning & I'm pretty happy with it. I got it started but it runs like the proverbial hairy goat & the smell of fuel is overpowering (almost like one of the needles is sticking), the throttle cable is binding up & the electrical connections for the starter circuit are a bit average, but nothing that cant be fixed when the time comes. At first glance it needs the following:
Original rear shock (fitted with an Ohlins unit with remote damping adjuster), correct indicators, original grips (it took me 2 years to find a set for the F1), original clutch cylinder, original brake & oil cooler lines, original oil breather box (here we go again) & original footpegs & levers. The general condition is quite good, with the brakes & swing arm in good condition. She has been fitted with new Dunlop Sport Max radials (with a 180/90 rear) & a new battery. I got a nice surprise to find the original toolkit with the bike in as new condition too!
It has a metal Ducati Meccanica badge mounted on the tail (see photo) with the bike serial number on it. I haven't seen these on any of the photos I've collected to date so it's a little odd. You can see the serial number has been professionally stamped, so i'm guessing it must be an original fitment part - has anyone come across this before, as it hasn't been mentioned in any of my web travels.

Most Ducati F1 models that I have seen imported from Japan have that badge on the tail, some MHRs too. The Japanese Ducati importer in the 1980s was Murayama and they appear to have stuck those badges on their bikes every time they pasted their logo on the fairing. I doubt it was factory fitted but perhaps it was a request from Murayama and forms part of the Japanese "specs" like the white dials on some MHRs.

Your bike lacks the pillion peg bracket which loops down on the right had side. The rear tyre hugger is also non standard and the indicators too. But I guess you know all that. What intrigues me is that the wheels have gold coloured spokes, like the 851 Tricolore model of the same year but not the same as the 400SS Junior Limited. Most Santamonicas I have seen have red spokes.

At the moment, all the Santamonicas I know of for sale are far more expensive than the one you bought, and, with the falling AusDollar, getting only more expensive.

That's a nice bike and, as you have said, just needs a bit of work.

I knew about the missing pillion bracket, but hadn't realised that the hugger wasn't genuine. Every photo I've seen of the SM has the hugger? The indicators aren't a problem as I have a full set of spare NOS ones. i have seen several photo's witht he gold wheel spokes, though I was planning to paint them red as I think they look more "balanced" with the rest of the bike that way. I ws planning to keep the badge tail, but was going to do away with the Murayama decals on the fairing, or do you think these should be kept too?

You are correct that the SM has a rear hugger; just not the one your bike. It should be like the one on any Laguna Seca. As for the badge and Murayama fairing decal, that's up to you but I'd have then off in a flash. Your idea of balancing the look of the bike by having the spokes painted red is spot on. There is currently a set of original tyres for the SM on ebay.it, if you are chasing, and a foot lever as well. Pricey, but you can't afford to wait long 'cos the coming election ain't gonna help the dollar.

Would you have the link for the tyres?

is this what you are looking for?
http://www.ebay.it/itm/Pneumatico-160-6 ... 232cbd45dc

Sorry if it's wrong
Regards
Graeme

Or this?

http://www.ebay.it/itm/Pneumatico-130-6 ... 232cbd45fe

The rear tyre is the one I'm chasing (I have a new front already) but the seller wont ship to Oz

Ask Carlo if he'll send it to you. He's a gentleman.

Spero che non ti dispiaccia dirlo Carlo

Hi if you get stuck for a pair of tyres I have an excelent pair 6 mm on one and a bit less on the front,
I used a goo paso for my doner bike to build the TT1