Hello Bjorn

I also like your white F1 paint scheme
Thank for the pics and stories

Graeme

So, postcrash, the F1 ”rested” far back in different garages and sheds for 15 years while I spent my energi on Single cylinder racing, first with the Piuma and later on a Tigcraft BMW. At some point I had a stroke of genius and fitted a 18” Dymag up front to make it eligible with our Period 3 classic racing rules. This means 1973-1979, 18 inch wheels with treaded tyres, no four piston brake calipers and basically free tuning and frame design (there were a lot of home made racing bikes at that time...). But apart from fitting that front wheel nothing happened, it just became more sad and more dusty. In 2008 or 2009 I sold it to Danish hobby-tuner and ex racer Peder Spile. He did a marvellous job rebuilding it to a typical Period 4 (1980-1987, 17” wheel, slick tyres, four piston brakes etc) TT1 replica for a friend of his. He raced it for some years, then it was sold to Germany I am told.

NB: Peder Spile also built a really fast 750 (and sometimes bigger) that his son Mike Spile raced for many years. Besides numerous victories in our series he also won a couple of times at the Dutch Ducati races. The ”problem” with that bike was that it had the rear carburator facing forwards...

tbc

/Björn

Thanks all, for cheers and appreciation!

Last but not least: in the beginning of the 90:s I started to collect parts and together with what original parts were saved (not sold) I could actually build up a streetbike in parallell to the racer. I found an Alazurra engine and an original F1 -85 frame, same early one without the steering lock from a crashed bike using my original frame number and documents. I rode it to and from work for some years, then when I worked for Ducati I decided to start the renovation. It was painted and the bottom end of the engine was assembled. Then it was lost for 15 years... It is unbelievable how time flies! When I decided to start up the renovation again I could swear it max maximum 10 years, but the order labels on the parts gave me away... It will have 90mm pistons, ported heads with big valves, Montjuich cams, 40mm Dellortos but stock Alazurra clutch and gearbox. Suzuki GSXR1100 front fork, ISR magnesium wheel, similar to the original ones in design, 3,5x16 in front and 4x18 rear and ISR 4-piston billet calipers. Not original but correct in time period! Ready for next year?

The only thing that is a bit sad is that the original frame and the original engine went with the racer!

Next post will be some Piuma pictures, on request!

/Björn

I bought the TT1 that Mike Spile raced. It now resides in Southern California. Here are a couple of photos.
John

Nice!

Now I only need to hear from whoever bought my old F1!

/Björn

Some pictures of my Gilera Piuma upon request. Facts:
50 produced (so less than Ducati Supermono) in 1990. Not really any race success due to underpowered motor. Not much of tuning parts were available, and it proved pretty fragile when increasing the hp with 50%... Chassi is wonderful, pure italian design geniality!

/Björn

More photos.

And just to round off, what happened after the Piuma!

/Björn

Bjorn,
Thanks so much for the history!!
Paul

Thank you /Björn for the Piuma pics.
Amaziing bike.
Wow 72 hp for a mono. I belive this is a great bike to ride.
The Piuma had the same look if of the Gilera 125 sp01/02 at my teen eyes that were superbike!!
Thank again
Filippo