Engine: 905cc air-cooled SOHC desmodromic 90-degree V-twin, 88mm x 74.4mm bore and stroke, 11:1 compression ratio, 89hp @ 8,500rpm (at rear wheel)
Top speed: 158mph (Isle of Man TT 1978, original bike)
Carburetion: Two 40mm Dell’Orto PHM
Transmission: 5-speed, chain final drive
Electrics: Coil and breaker points ignition with total-loss 12v battery
Frame/wheelbase: Chrome-moly tubular steel open cradle spaceframe w/engine as semi-stressed member/57in (1,450mm)
Brakes: Dual 11in (280mm) Brembo cast-iron discs front, single 11in (280mm) Brembo cast-iron disc rear
Tires: 100/90 x 18in front, 130/80 x 18in rear
Weight: 358.6lb (163kg) w/oil, no fuel
Price: GBP 110,000 (approx. $142,500 or 125,000 euros)
The 40th anniversary of the late, great Mike Hailwood’s fairy-tale comeback win in the 1978 Isle of Man TT, 11 years after he last raced there, and seven since he rode a bike of any kind in international competition while he pursued a car racing career in Formula 1, was suitably commemorated at the 2018 Classic TT last August.
That’s when modern-day TT legend John McGuinness averaged over 100mph on a demo lap par excellence aboard the very same Ducati that Mike the Bike used to win the TT Formula 1 race there four decades earlier. Hailwood’s victory aboard the Sports Motorcycles Ducati 900 desmo V-twin is rightly considered to be one of the most remarkable feats in the history of motorcycle racing.
But there was an identical-looking bike in the TT paddock awaiting McPint’s (John McGuinness’ nickname!) return – the first of 12 exact replicas of the original TT-winning Ducati 900 TT F1 race bike that are being constructed in Los Angeles, California, by Vee Two USA (veetwousa.com), and with the full approval of Pauline Hailwood, Mike’s widow, and his son, David. Each of the 12 bikes will bear their signatures, and each buyer will receive a personal letter from Pauline, as well as a limited edition souvenir book detailing the creation of his/her bike, and the inside story of Mike’s epic 1978 TT win. Why only 12? That production quantity commemorates Hailwood’s victorious No. 12 TT racing number. The hand-built machines retail at GBP 110,000 (approx. $142,500 or 125,000 euros) tax free, with orders already placed for two of the 12.
Order the March/April 2019 issue of Motorcycle Classics to read more about the Vee Two Mike Hailwood replica. Contact Customer Service at (800) 880-7567 or contact us by email