Description
This motorcycle is Lot 258 - To be auctioned by Bonhams at The Spring Stafford Sale (The International Classic MotorCycle Show) on 26th & 27th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Auction Timings:
Lots 101 - 147 are to be sold from 14:00 on Saturday 26th April 2025.
Lots 201 - 410 are to be sold from 11:00 on Sunday 27th April 2025.
Public Viewing:
Available 26th & 27th April 2025 from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Stafford County Showground (The International Classic MotorCycle Show).
Lot 258
1983 Ducati 600cc Pantah
Registration no. GKO 39Y
Frame no. DM600SL* 701338*
Engine no. DM600L* 701479*
One of the finest Italian middleweights of its day
Only 20, 755 kilometres (12, 897 miles) from new
No longer subject to MoT testing or road tax
Last used on the road in October 2024
Walk-around video of machine running available
The first of Ducati's 'new generation' of desmodromic v-twins, the Pantah made its debut in 500cc form at the 1978 Cologne Show. Designed by the great Fabio Taglioni, the Pantah engine abandoned the Bologna company's traditional shaft-and-bevel-gears camshaft drive in favour of toothed rubber belts. With 46bhp available at the back wheel, the Pantah was capable of close to 120mph, which was some going for 500cc four-stroke in those days. A straight-tube trellis frame and triple Brembo disc brakes ensured that the Pantah handled and stopped as well as it went in a straight line. New for 1982, the 600cc version incorporated a number of improvements in addition to a 6mm wider bore, including a stronger gearbox, hydraulic clutch, Bosch ignition, and Japanese switchgear and instruments. "The handling and roadholding are quite exceptional, there's nothing like a thoroughbred Italian for finding out how a motorcycle should really handle," observed Bike magazine.
This Pantah 600 currently displays a believed-original total of 20, 755 kilometres (12, 897 miles) on the odometer, which seems to be confirmed by expired MoT certificates on file. The current MoT is valid until 26th March 2025 and the Pantah has covered only 4 kilometres since the test. (MoTs are no longer required and road tax is no longer payable.) Stored in a dry garage and started regularly, the Ducati was last used on the road in October 2024 and last ran on 29th January 2025. There is a walk-around video of the machine running, which may be viewed on the Bonhams website. It is worthwhile noting that Keihan Systems 'Conti' silencers are fitted and are said to sound fantastic (they cost £488. 89, see file). It should be noted that two Spitfire Ball fuel additives were placed in the tank in October 2024.
Accompanying documentation includes current and (copy) previous V5C Registration Certificates; sundry invoices/ receipts; and the aforementioned MoTs. There is also a Ducati workshop manual on a USB stick. It should be noted that the frame and engine number prefixes have been omitted from the V5C and HPI, which records the previous colour as blue. The vendor's age and arthritis have made riding the Pantah difficult, hence the reason for sale.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams Motorcycles website for all pertinent auction information.
