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I noticed a crack on my rear wheel and I'm afraid to ride like that so I'm in desperate need for a replacement.

What brand wheel...??

I don't care what is the brand as long as it will look like this :



and have no cracks

You are looking for a Speedline wheel, but I will caution you that all of the Speedlines wheels were recalled by the factory. The safest and most economical alternative is to find a set of six-bolt FPS wheels, made of aluminum as opposed to magnesium.

If I am not mistaken, Speedlines were fitted to the first batch of Darmahs in late 1976 and early 1977. After the factory recalled these wheels, Ducati fitted four-bolt, five-spoke magnesium Campagnolo wheels to the Darmahs between 1977 and 1978. Finally, in 1979 until production of the Darmah model ended, the six-bolt aluminum FPS wheels were standard.

For what it is worth, I have been using the four-bolt, five-spoke Campagnolos on my squarecase bevel drive machines for a few years. They are powercoated black, and look really nice. Pundits will argue that the Campagnolos are just as bad as the Speedlines, in terms of material integrity, because they are cast magnesium and susceptible to internal/external corrosion.

I would never use Speedlines because (1) I think they look atrocious, and (2) the recall. Sure, if you wail on the Campagnolos, they will fail much more easily than an aluminum wheel. I hit a large rock in the road with my front wheel and it took a nice sized chunk out of the rim.

Ideally, I would like to commission Marchesini to make a special set of forged aluminum wheels to replicate the original Campagnolos, but my obsession has not progressed that far yet.

Here are a couple of links to discussions in this forum regarding the Speedline wheels, etc:

http://www.bevelheaven.com/~BB/phpBB2/v ... =speedline
http://www.bevelheaven.com/~BB/phpBB2/v ... =speedline

I ENCOURAGE ANYONE READING THIS POST TO CORRECT ANY MISINFORMATION I MAY HAVE INADVERTENTLY PROVIDED. Mille Grazi

Get rid of them , your just asking for a crash not worth it

hmmm, well you convinced me.
where can I get those FPS wheels? nothing was found on ebay.

They come up every so often expect to pay around AU$450 for a 4 or 6 bolt front and about AU$350 for a rear

I sold my last set not that long ago they are going to be shipped to the US soon

there was set in Europe somewhere for sale not that long ago , I dont know if they sold or not

found them Item 120481716300 and 110446808677 the rims might be cheap but be careful shipping out of Italy is extremely expensive

Good luck

Osred wrote: If I am not mistaken, Speedlines were fitted to the first batch of Darmahs in late 1976 and early 1977. After the factory recalled these wheels, Ducati fitted four-bolt, five-spoke magnesium Campagnolo wheels to the Darmahs between 1977 and 1978. Finally, in 1979 until production of the Darmah model ended, the six-bolt aluminum FPS wheels were standard.

Minor correction: Campags came first, Speedlines were second, FPS came third (initially with polished rims, then painted).

Also:
1. The prototype Darmah shown at the Bologna Show in late 76 was fitted with FPS wheels, albeit of a different type to what came later - see photo below, taken from Ian F's Bible


2. I believe the main reason why Ducati switched from Campags to Speedlines was cost. There may also have been supply problems, plus the Campags were really designed as racing wheels, not road wheels.

3. The inventory guys at the factory must have got really peed of with all these changes ...

Ciao

Craig

Do all the FPS rear wheels have a drum brake?

No they are all Disc rear's , what you see the the rear wheel pictures is the rear cush drive hub

Looking at your bike, I'd say you're looking for 4 bolts unless you want to replace your disc rotors too. I've got a few sets of FPS wheels stored away. I'll need to dig them out and have look at them. PM me if you are interested.

Kev

If you're in the USA, the recall maybe still active...???

did you see this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DUCATI-B ... f0715efQQi

machten wrote:Looking at your bike, I'd say you're looking for 4 bolts unless you want to replace your disc rotors too.

HASHASHAN -
As previously noted, and with safety in mind, it's probably best to go with a set of aluminum wheels at this point for your classic machine. The only way to accomplish this conventionally is to purchase the six-bolt FPS wheels and find the corresponding front and rear rotors. I know you are anxious to get back on the road, but your wheels are fairly important components. I am a hypocrite, though, because I still use Campagnolo mags. Never would I use Speedlines. Good luck!

QUESTION FOR ALL -
Were there any four-bolt FPS wheels manufactured in the later style (1979 onward)?

Osred wrote:
QUESTION FOR ALL -
Were there any four-bolt FPS wheels manufactured in the later style (1979 onward)?

Yes. For reference photos, look in Ian's Bible e.g. pages 88, 91, 94, 118, 119.

P.s Have just read this in the Bible. He's talking about the 1981 Barcelona race:
"... Mallol and Tejedo were slowed by three punctures caused by breakages of their Campagnola wheels"

Ciao

Craig