1972 Ducati 750 Sport 750cc

Paul Smart’s 1972 Imola race-winning bike was based on Ducati's 750 Sport introduced that year. Remarkably, the racer’s parts remained close to the production bike the main difference being a much upgraded engine with desmodromic cylinder heads, high-compression pistons, stronger con-rods and Lockheed disc brakes. The ‘Green Frame’ production race replica version of this that followed in 1974 retained all these features, however, given that the ‘Green Frame’ bikes are now out of the budget of even the most avid collectors, the 750 Sport represents great value and an opportunity to own a proper classic race-bred Ducati. 

The early history of this example is not known, other than that factory records show that it was built in late 1972 and it arrived in the UK in 2000 being immediately registered as EKP 269K. Not long after this, it was fully restored by marque specialist Paul Klatkiewicz of Ducati Technical Services including an engine rebuild to 775cc, with gas-flowed cylinder heads and electronic ignition resulting in 64bhp at the crank and 59bhp at the rear wheel. New Borrani rims and Conti silencers were also fitted at the time and the bike has covered just 4,290 miles since.

Having belonged in a private Collection since 2008, it has continued to be maintained well and remains in excellent condition having won the second prize in the Continental Category at the Bristol Classic Show in 2019. It's supplied with a history file that documents the restoration work in 2000 plus various invoices, a number of old MOTs and a copy of an article in which it featured in The Classic Motorcycle in January 2023. With only 1,625 examples of this good looking, race-bred, early 1970s 750 being produced, they are relatively rare and very collectable.