Hello from the Remote, Exotic City of San Jose, CA

Hello!

From the get-go you know I can be sarcastic. I found this site after a few curious observations has me considering the purchase of a car I always found attractive, the 308 GTB/GTS cars. Those observations include noticing the cost of 308s is places it within reason of what a car like that might actually be worth, and also...I, for the time being anyway, have the resources to purchase and restore that kind of vehicle. I have been working on motorcycles the last few years. In fact I have three that would have to get wrapped up before I could consider a car project...The bikes are nothing too special; two Hondas and a 2V Ducati. I would also say that since owning a 2000 Audi TT-purchased as a commuter car a few years ago-this whole sports car thing could be kinda fun. But the Audi is kind of boring as I pretty much haven't had to do anything with it but change the oil and top off the gas tank, which is great for a dependable commuter, but lousy as the object of attention in a hobby. It's funny looking, besides

This BBD has some interesting characters, from people that work on their cars to people that don't, to wage earners that enjoy the hobby of one car at a sacrifice, to criminals that bought many in such a care free way that words cannot describe...

I could not say I'm such a fan of Ferrari, or any European sports car manufacturer parse, I just like the 308s. If I were to go racing, where I was looking for the right combination of performance and price ('cause it's going to get wrecked eventually), I'd get a Corvette. Much cheaper, great performance, but also has an engine that fits conveniently into pickups everywhere, and it's in the front mounted in the most conventional way. Not as interesting...I would also mention that I like the aesthetics of other 70s vintage Ferraris as well, but OMG are they expensive! Like all other Ferraris you could care to mention. I mean, I would never even park a 308 at my home (I don't have a garage), much less at a restaurant or store...

Ok, that's enough about me.

Rick

 

It's a 1995 900 SS/SP. I probably got ripped off on it, as it looked so good, and was in such nice shape, I assumed it was in similar condition mechanically. I did not take seriously the many peculiarities of this kind of bike, such as issues with soft valve guides, bad piston rings, and an aluminum oil galley plug in the crank that was neither staked or secured with any thread-locking compound, and had a tendency to unscrew itself, right into the bearing race of the crankshaft. My example had all of these. $3000.00USD later and it's basically taken care of. I'm just waiting to get the pistons back from having the skirts coated, and then the time to put it all back together.

It has also been partly due to my experiences with the Ducati I've been attracted to a Ferrari. I can see a similar design philosophy at work; art by design. However, Ferrari hasn't had nearly as many inexcusable problems with quality that Ducati has!

As it stands, some things that need to happen before I took on before I went looking seriously for a 308 are: I need to buy a house with a garage, and my wife must get her teaching credentials (almost there). Oh, yes...I should also finish two other bikes I'm working on; an '87 Honda VFR700F2, and an '87 XL600R 'Frankinbike'.

I like old mechanical things

Rick

 

It's a 1995 900 SS/SP. I probably got ripped off on it, as it looked so good, and was in such nice shape, I assumed it was in similar condition mechanically. I did not take seriously the many peculiarities of this kind of bike, such as issues with soft valve guides, bad piston rings, and an aluminum oil galley plug in the crank that was neither staked or secured with any thread-locking compound, and had a tendency to unscrew itself, right into the bearing race of the crankshaft. My example had all of these. $3000.00USD later and it's basically taken care of. I'm just waiting to get the pistons back from having the skirts coated, and then the time to put it all back together.

It has also been partly due to my experiences with the Ducati I've been attracted to a Ferrari. I can see a similar design philosophy at work; art by design. However, Ferrari hasn't had nearly as many inexcusable problems with quality that Ducati has!

As it stands, some things that need to happen before I went looking seriously for a 308 are: I need to buy a house with a garage, and my wife must get her teaching credentials (almost there). Oh, yes...I should also finish two other bikes I'm working on; an '87 Honda VFR700F2, and an '87 XL600R 'Frankinbike'.

I like old mechanical things!

Rick

Oh, why is there no editing functionality?

 

Very interesting; I wonder how many members of this forum are also into Italian sportsbikes? Ducatis are unique among bikes as Ferrraris are among cars, though I think both brands have gotten watered down over the years (Ferraris can now be driven by people that can't drive a stick-blah!).

As for my 900SS, I've tried to address most all of the issues these things are known for. When it goes back together it'll have Nichols cylinder head studs and engine mount bolts, a 'blue-printed' oil pump, Kiehin flatslide carbs (I know I stumbled across a piece about someone running these on a 308 somewhere) a MOSFET regulator from a late model R-1, 4AWG starter cables, a programmable ignition with Dynacoils, and...some other odds and ends. I bought this in late July of '09 and have covered perhaps 40 miles with it...I have found that much wrong with it. All prospective Ducati owners beware. But as for servicing, paying someone else to work on these would be embarrassing! They're super easy to work on...

Rick