Ducati Mike Hailwood Replica (MHR) servicing
1979 to 1986 · 864cc and 973cc bevel-drive Desmo V-twins · Greenwich, London
Ray Petty Meccanica services, repairs and restores the Ducati Mike Hailwood Replica, from the first kickstart 900 MHRs of 1979 to the 973cc Mille MHR of 1986, at its independent Ducati workshop in Greenwich, London. The MHR changed a great deal under its fairing over those years, so RPM starts by establishing which engine a bike has before planning its service.
About the Mike Hailwood Replica
Ducati built the Mike Hailwood Replica to mark Hailwood's 1978 Isle of Man TT Formula 1 win, and the first bikes arrived late in 1979 for the 1980 model year. Under the full fairing sat the 900SS's 864cc Desmo bevel twin, fed by 40mm Dell'Orto PHM carburettors. UK rules on fibreglass tanks meant early bikes had a steel tank hidden under a fibreglass cover. Late in 1983 the engine was redesigned with new cases, electric start, a dry clutch, Bosch electronic ignition, a spin-on oil filter and an oil sight glass. The 973cc (88 x 80mm) Mille followed for 1985, with a one-piece crankshaft on plain bearings. Ian Falloon puts MHR production at 7,169, about 1,100 of them Milles.
Servicing your MHR
The early kickstart MHR has a wet clutch, a pressed-up roller-bearing crank and no sight glass, and checking its oil level could mean removing the fairing and the left exhaust header. Careless kickstarting can damage the fairing too. Bikes from the late 1983 redesign have the sight glass, a dry clutch and electric start, while the Mille's plain-bearing bottom end runs on a higher-pressure oil system that needs clean oil and a fresh filter on time. Its clutch is hydraulically operated. Every MHR has bevel-driven Desmo heads with opening and closing clearances to set, and Dell'Ortos to balance. One MHR owner recommends RPM "to any belt or bevel owners", and the workshop tracks down the hard-to-find parts these bikes often need.
Book your Mike Hailwood Replica (MHR) in
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Saturday: 10am to 5pm
Sunday and Monday: closed