The Inspiration - Ducati 125 Sport

The Reality - Ducati 160 Monza Jr

Progress Pictures

This project began when I ended up with a 160 Monza Jr as part of a package deal with a 250 Monza. I wasn't really sure what I was going to do with it, but thought I'd come up with something while I was working on the 250, which was the bike I really wanted out of the deal. I was still finishing up my 750GT when I got them though, so they both sat for a while. while putting the finishing touches on the 750, it sunk in that the 160 might make a pretty neat 125 Sport replica. I had seen a 100 Sport at the 2005 Motogiro d'Italia and thought it was pretty cool. Once the 750 was on the road the 160 became my main focus and the 250 was put on the back burner.

I began searching for appropriate bodywork. I wasn't planning on making an accurate replica, just something along the same lines. I found a rounded headlight, some rounded fenders, and fake tool boxes, but my search for a 125 Sport tank didn't pan out. Replica F3 tanks are out there, but they use the wrong style gas cap and it's in the wrong location. Those aren't major differences though, and while I was mulling over what to do I stumbled across a 175 TS tank that looked very nice, so I bought it. Of course once I committed to the TS tank, I found a Sport tank. It' s been modified a bit but looks solid. I already fit the seat pan for the TS tank though, so the Sport tank is destined for a future project. Only after I had the TS tank for a while did I realize it used the wrong cap too. No biggie, I bought the cap for it an marched on. Then I found another TS tank that uses the gas cap I prefer, but it needs a lot of work. More work than I expected actually, so the verdict is still out on which one I'll use.

In the meantime, I also decided to go with valanced fenders rather than the 125 Sport style fenders. As it turns out, what I'm building is really more of a 160 TS than 160 Sport, but that's ok. The Sport was still the inspiration for it all so if you run across refrences to it, that's why.

The 125 Sport on the top left is owned by Rich Lambrechts, who has provided a lot of information and encouragement for my various projects. Thanks, Rich! His contact information is shown below, click on the photos to be taken to his website.