Gtl 500

SP544 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-28-2006, 09:39 PM

Hi, does anyone have any experience with the 77 GTL 500's? I have one and want to get it running and cruise around town on it. It has been sitting for many years and I rebuilt the head and re-ringed the pistons. It is kind of an oddball bike, but I think it is cool. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Still SP3 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-30-2006, 11:34 PM

I've looked for years because someday I'd like to get one myself. But, I have found VERY little info on the net. I did just find this auction that might interest you though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducat...0881QQtcZphoto

Every little bit helps. Keep looking and I will as well.

Still SP3 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-16-2007, 07:25 PM

Here is a find:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...keT rack=true

Too bad I don't have the time, $, room, .........

huit · #4 (**permalink**) 03-17-2007, 07:33 PM

I have a workshop and a parts manual if needed
paul

GregP · #5 (**permalink**) 07-09-2007, 03:21 PM

There was an article in one of the major US Moto mags recently last few months) on this bike, IIRC! Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Sport Rider or some such mag. I'd dig it out but my wife puts them in the recycle bin a few days after they arrive.

If it's the same bike, the author indictaed that although he personally loved the thing it was one of the biggest POS Ducati ever manufactured.

I had an 88' Paso and if it was worse than that bike I'd watch out!

Still SP3 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-28-2007, 05:14 PM

eBay Motors: DUCATI 350 & 500 GTL Manual (item 160150462868 end time Aug-30-07 09:03:48 PDT)

A saw a few parts catalogs for the parallel's in his list. Check it out.

DukeRdr · #7 (**permalink**) 08-28-2007, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregP

If it's the same bike, the author indictaed that although he personally loved the thing it was one of the biggest POS Ducati ever manufactured.

I had an 88' Paso and if it was worse than that bike I'd watch out!

Most of the twins were horrible little oil leakers. And noisy cam chain!

Taglioni didn't have anything to do with their design or production. He felt the parallel twin was an anachronistic design. He was already thinking ahead to the Pantah engine. A junior engineer did the parallel twin.

IMO, the only twin(s) to own are the 350S or the 500S, because of the Tartarini designed bodywork. Just gorgeous. But I still wouldn't ride one very far...

Still SP3 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 02:20 PM

With all due respect to GregP and DukeRdr, how do your posts help SP544 get his bike running? His question wasn't 'I'm thinking of picking one up' or 'what do you guys think about...'. He already has one and would like to get it running well enough to have a bit of fun. Maybe I'd find your posts useful if you had some FHE and said to watch for something specific during his refurb. Shouldn't we help keep another Duc on the road instead of the scrap heap? My Monza is widely considered one of the ugliest Ducs ever but I don't care - it's fun.

DukeRdr · #9 (**permalink**) 10-16-2007, 05:52 PM

[quote=Still SP3;409082]With all due respect to GregP and DukeRdr, how do your posts help SP544 get his bike running?quote]

You're right, but what does he want to know? How to clean the carbs? How to set the timing? How to check the valves?

He's pretty vague on the condition of the bike.

If he was closer to me, I'd tell him to bring me the carbs to clean. They're the old VHBs. Pretty simple.

I haven' touched one since the mid-80s, but I think it has screw and locknut adjusters on the valves like the later 860-900 GTS series.

Nobody replicates the shop manual for those...wonder why?

(Oh, keep an eye on the cam chain adjuster..that cam chain must be over 3 feet long. They get noisy quick)

SP544 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 02:01 AM

Hi there, wow, it has been a long time since I checked this thread. Thanks to all of who put in your two cents. I wasn't really looking for anything in particular, just putting out feelers to see if anyone has one or knows what to look out for on these. So far, I know it is a POS straight from the factory. I guess one of the bigget issues was the aluminum oil galley plug in the cam shafts that pops out and you lose oil pressure. Parts for this bike are almost non-existant in the US, but Road and Race has them in Australia. I need to get some carb parts from Dell Orto and sort out some wiring and then fire it up. Hopefully this summer will give me the time to make it happen. Ride on.

lilacsplash · #11 (**permalink**) 02-08-2008, 07:13 PM

Hi,
A bit of a "Long Shot" here but the DOC GB has a fair library of old workshop manuals etc, which they'll copy and sell.
They don't charge a lot for this service!
You don't have to be a club member.
These 'Oddballs' may have a poor reputation, but on the upside........
It was the model that convinced Dr T that plain/shell bearing bigends were the way to go in the future. With all of their failings, the cranks hardly ever gave problems.
I remember seeing a new Desmo 500 version at the IOM TT, thinking what a good looking bike........
Well apart from the awful looking White exhaust system.
This was before the "Drama's" were launched.
If it wasn't for the fact that I already have 4 old/classic Ducati's keeping me VERY POOR, if I found one of the 500 Desmo/sport models at the right price I'd be tempted.

Steve Robins