well, I've spoken to Ducati John and I'm off down to see him next Saturday with my bike, seems a really nice bloke and does know his stuff. The bikes history showed that it had been down to a guy called Paul Klastiewiscz (I think that's how it was spelt !!) in 1996 and that was the last bit of history she had - gulp, could be something nasty looming but I hope not...anyway I rang this guy up and he instantly remembered the bike, who it's owner had been and he then proceeded to tell me what it had had done to it while I listened and checked each item off the job sheet that was part of the history - spooky stuff. thanks for the help...