Hi,
Am just curious as to the whereabouts of a Pantah I bought new in 1981 - reg no: UJO 986X
I got it from Powerbiking when they were at Chinnor in Bucks in 1981 and traded it in at the original Jack Lilley’s (Steve Lilley RIP) when they were in Shepperton High street for a new Jota 120 in 1983.
After some light cosmetic damage to the Pantah, I stripped it down to the bare bones (in mum’s dining room!) and had the frame stove enamelled gold, all nut’s n bolts either enameled gold and engine casings etc anodised gold. The seat was made by a mate at Wood & Pickett and was a light tan/beige with ‘Ducati’ in red stitching. The bodywork was painted at Rolls Royce in Willesden by a mate in a deep maroon. Finally got it put back together at 5am on the morning I set off to the TT at 7am! Was reaching down to balance the carbs by ear as I rode it up the M1! Entered it into the Laxey custom show and seem to remember getting a 4th or 5th place.
Anyway, I lament and hope you found this an interesting read from an owd biker (now on a Tiger 1050 but looking to go smaller…TBD)
If anyone has any knowledge of my old Duke, then it would be great to hear about it.
Cheers
Mark
Hi Mark
Just seen your post from 11 years ago. I’m currently the owner of said Pantah.
Message me back if you get this…
Pete
Hi Pete,
Wow! Pleaae post or send me a photo/s. Is she still red & gold or back to original silver? The bike was just a few months old after having a swinging arm bearing fault dealt with at Coburn & Hughes in Luton and a (so called) friend dropped it on a roundabiut in Hemel Hempstaed. This resulted in me stripping it down to the last nut and bolt. The seat was covered in a tan leather with ducati in red stiching by another friend who worked at Wood & picket (they cusotmised minis, range roveres etc), the paintwork was done at Rolls Royce in Willesden (NW London) by another friend. I had the frame and nuts and bolts gold anodised at a workshop in Hammersmith. I remember finsihing it off at 5am on the morning I was going to the TT and was riding up the M1 whilst leaning down with a screwdriver balancing the carbs en route! 
Do you ride it or just a collector?
Cheers Mark
Hi Mark
Here’s a picture I took in 2007, shortly after I bought the bike. As you can see it had been repainted in MHR colours by a previous owner. It was the colour scheme that attracted me to the bike.
Unfortunately, after a full service including new belts and seals the piston rings on the vertical cylinder broke and ended my short time of riding the bike.
I have only recently got around to starting the repair and rebuild.
I’ll let you know when I get it fixed and running again.
It was very interesting to hear some of the bike’s original story. I think it has been through a lot since you had it. I am the 5th owner according to the V5. I also have quite a few documents relating to the bike like MOT certificates and services. If you have a copy of the original purchase receipt that would be great.
All the best
Pete
Hi Peter,
Thanks for the pic! Takes me back, quite emotional. Sadly, I’ve got no paperwork from those days.
Are parts available or do you have to get them made? What’s the mileage now and which part of the country are you in?
Cheers
Mark
