September 18th, 1998:
We bought a '66 Ducati Diana Mark3 250cc single out of the paper. The engine was siezed, but the body work was freshly painted. The rest of the chassis was fairly complete, except for the tool box/side covers and other miscellanea. After starting to dismantle the engine, we found that it was very rusted together. The piston had not only siezed, but was welded to the sleeve by layers upon layers of rust. A BFH (big f*cking hammer) was useless in moving it even after days of soaking in liquid wrench.

September 25th, 1998
We buy 2 frames and 3.5 Ducati 250 engines from Pat Lougherty. Thank you Pat! It is evident that we will have to use one of these other engines for parts at least. I start the process of dismantling the first of these and find that though the piston is also siezed, the insides aren't nearly as rusted as the original engine. With the parts from these new engines and the original engine combined, we can come up with a good running machine.

October 16th, 1998
After a month of soaking the second engine in everything from oil to Coca Cola (yes, it did actually loosen a ton of rust!), we have determined that this piston too is a loss. Time to begin dismantling the third engine. Upon removing the side cases, we are delightfully encouraged by the steady leaking of dark motor oil out of the case. After purchasing the correct pullers and such tools, we can easily pull the fly wheel and bevel drive without any problems. This engine has been sitting for decades, full of oil, and well sealed. The piston is still siezed, but finding oil in the cylinder has given us much hope of glory.

October 24th, 1998
Eureka!!! After a little more dismantling, it is time again for the BFH. A couple of good swings - the piston has moved in the cylinder!!. By that evening, the piston was free, the insides completely dismantled and put in their individually marked bags for safe keeping. The cases sit soaking in the parts cleaner, and others are sitting on the kitchen table waiting to be polished. Whew!

December, 1998
The chasis is now totally dismantled and the frame, swing arm, chain guard, triple tree, and center stand are off to Custom Classics in Lynnwood to be painted gloss black. Send off head and crank to MSI—a shop in South Seattle that works exclusively on vintage European bikes—for a valve job and to true the crank.

January, 1999
The frame is back from being painted, we have acquired new wheels and polished up the side covers. Note the new piston and cleaned up cylinder (in the photo). Emblems are on order for the toolboxes, as is a new cam and spokes for the rear wheel.

Temporary halt in restoration due to a new addition to the race team - aka Olivia.

June, 2000
We finally had the entire engine back together, and Jim was installing the transmission. It fit perfectly. He tried to give it a test spin - nada. Somewhere along the way, in the line of putting the entire engine together, a shim was misplaced - somewhere. He loaded the entire lump into the truck and took it to MSI. By June, the engine was complete, turned over smoothly, and was back in the frame. Note by this time, we had new tires, shocks, and the frame chassis back together.

July, 2000
With emblems in hand, we took the original toolboxes to Custom Classics to get painted. We brought along a fender for color matching. The result is just amazing.

November, 2000
Updated electrics.
No Lucas Prince of Darkness for us!
We are using imBroglio circuits for the confusion factor.
With the tail light contected, there's spark!
Since when do YOU study the entire diagram the first time.
With a battery fluid container holding fuel, there's fire...fortunately it was contained.
Vrooom! It runs!

November, 2001
Since then, the Diana has seen the road only a couple of times due to a bad carb. It has, however, made an appearance at the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts (VME) display at the Seattle Cycle Show in December of 2001. Once we figure out the carb, this bike will be another great ride for the roads of Idaho.

January, 2004
The carb has been replaced, and the Diana is almost turn key. Once I get some spare money, I'll be buying new petcocks and a quieter pipe for it. Weee!

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