We are ADDICTED to Sportbike Classifed ads, and we post our favorites on this blog. We are not a dealership.
Rare SportBikes For Sale

This is a one owner, low mile, 851 with some very nice parts.  Located in Tampa, Florida is a 1990 Ducati 851 that is fitted with a factory 888 kit and only has 1,800 miles.  The seller states that this bike was purchased from Eraldo Ferracci (Fast By Ferracci):

“Prior to delivery, Eraldo installed one of the first Factory 888 race kits which included 94mm pistons and factory race rods along with completely blueprinting the engine, including porting, polishing, matching ports and balancing the engine as well as new FBF eprom chip which raised the redline to 10,500.”

And even more interesting is the story behind the exhaust:

Exhaust is a prototype set built by Rob Muzzy of Muzzy Kawasaki and has an incredible sound.

A Muzzy prototype exhaust is a very cool, and insanely rare, piece of unobtainium.  The seller states that he is the original owner so all these claims should be verifiable with receipts/correspondence.  I hate to always be pessimistic but, as I’ve said before, if you’re paying for something special, make sure it is actually special.  The seller states that this bike is in perfect mechanical and cosmetic condition.  The asking price is $6,450.  In summary, this is a one owner 851/888 that has very low miles and two very nice extras.  See this bike on Craigslist here.

AG

1992 Ducati Superbike 851 Custom for sale on ebay.

You need to read the full ad to understand what this bike is.  Located in Tucson, Arizona is a 1992 Ducati 851.  Now, the frame defines what make & model a bike is.  The Arizona title and registration of this bike states that it is a Ducati 851 however, it is a complete custom bike that has been pieced together from some choice bits.  The frame is supposedly a Superbike race frame obtained from Fast By Ferracci with a long dead 851s VIN stamped on it.  The engine is from a 2001 996.  It has a Ducati Corse fully adjustable shock linkage, a Ducati Corse aluminum fuel tank, custom made F1 two into one exhaust, Ohlins rear shock, 17″ Marchesini five spokes, Showa Gold Nitrade forks, Brembo four-pots, Corbin seat and numerous carbon bits.

It will be interesting to see what this bike will sell for, at this point it’s very hard to value.  There are numerous custom 851s but, this one does have some–very possibly legitimate–Corse items; specifically, a titled Superbike  frame.  What do you think this bike is worth?  Is it worth more than a stock bike as it has some very rare bits bolted on or, will it sell for about the same?  Custom bikes are very hard to value because:  If this were a Fast By Ferracci Superbike race bike, determine a value based on that, and if this was a bone stock 851 we could easily determine a value.

One thing I have no doubt about is that the buyer of this bike needs these parts history verified and documented prior to sale.  If a World Superbike frame is what you’re paying for, it needs to be proven.  If this bike seems interesting, and it should, .

AG

Update 1.8.2010: Rory has sent us an update on the remaining bikes. Please contact Rory at vtauto@sbcglobal.net for further information about the remaining bikes available for sale in the collection.

Rory and his business partner have contacted Rare Sport Bikes For Sale to alert of us of a collection of 17 bikes that will soon be for sale.

His message included the following details:

My business partner, Lee and I are trying to help his neighbor sell the bikes owned by her late husband. The 17 bikes that are left to sell are primarily sport bikes and they are all somewhat special in one way or another: Limited Editions, grey market, low (or no) mileage, etc. It’s taking some time for the widow to have the bikes re-titled in her name, but we are now getting to the point where we need to figure out how to find buyers looking for the somewhat unusual bike.

And here is the list I was given:

Clearly a collector with discerning taste, and pieces that match our theme here perfectly. Please leave a comment below if you’d like to see a particular piece of this collection processed sooner than later.

Thanks for contacting us Rory. Looking forward to seeing this collection go to new homes! I’m wish I was reckless enough to consider a second mortgage and the penalties on draining my retirement to get in line for some of these!

dc

This appears to be a super rare 851. I did a quick search and there is one for sale in Australia as well, so at the time of this posting, 2 are for sale at the same time! Pretty cool eh?

document.write(‘Super rare 851 on ebay‘);Super rare 851 on ebay

Quote from the seller:

This is one of the approximately 50 bikes imported into the U.S. “for racing use only”. it was titled and registered, and ridden (street only!) a bit more than 2800 miles by the original owner. The only deviations from stock are the modifications needed for street use. These include swapping the slicks for street tires, adding a mirror and turn signals (mid 60’s BMW bar end), a horn and a speedometer (digital bicycle speedo). In addition, an air filter element was fitted on top of the open airbox (in order to preserve internal organs!). The wheels were repainted (when the stock Marvic paint began to fall off!) with custom matched PPG Durathane. The brake and clutch fluids were changed 6 months ago, the oil and filter last week, and the timing belts were replaced last winter.

Vehicle Condition

The bike is in as close to new condition as can be expected for a 21 year old with 2800 miles. It has lived in a heated garage under a dust cover, and is mechanically and cosmetically excellent. There a few very minor defects consistent with it’s age and mileage, photos available on request.

I went to the Ducati site and looked in the Heritage section and it does show a bike just like this one, but doesn’t offer much information regarding a limited production kit bike. I’m sure some of our Ducati fans will set me straight and give us all of the 411 on this beauty. When produced Ducati outfitted these with Marvic wheels and racing exhaust. This one still has both and shows very well in the pictures. I am guessing this is a very desirable Ducati for any collector.

dd

Update: Just as I suspected Mark Morrison would be able to tell us all about this super rare machine. Mark left the info as a comment, but it won’t show up for everyone to read so I thought I would edit the post to help.

Quote from Mark Morrison – Ducati Expert

Only 10 of these bikes were brought into the states in 1989. They had European VINs and were for race track use only. Street legal 851’s began to arrive in June 1990. This is a nice bike being the first model and is actually if I am correct, an 851 kit. These bikes were the homologation model with 120bhp and 17″ Marvic rims instead of 102 bhp and 16″ composite wheels. They were supplied new with slicks and a headlight and tail light but no mirrors or indicators.

Cheers

Mark

Thanks for the info Mark!

Here’s a quick update on the 851/888 Pro Italia bike I listed a little while back that ended up at about $4900 reserve not met. Looks like they’re looking for $11k which seems more appropriate if they can find a buyer that recognizes it’s value.

1990 Ducati 851/888 by Pro Italia Motors on Craigslist

dc

Squeezing in a quick post between meetings today with some interesting finds. Enjoy! -dc

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1980 Suzuki GS1000S Wes Cooley on Craigslist for $1850 (24k miles, California):

quote from Craigslist:

1980 Suzuki GS1000S Wes Cooley – RUSTED ROUGH NOT RUNNING – MOTOR TURNS – 24K-BRAKES FROZE – TANK RUSTED THRU- ALL ORIGINAL COMPLETE FOR RESTORATION

This bike seems to be priced pretty high considering how much work it needs done and compared to previous GS1000S bikes listed on this blog. But if the buyer can work a deal, could be an interesting project for this winter.

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When I got my eBay alerts this morning, I spotted the little thumbnail for this gray SB6R. I didn’t realize the came in gray… Check out this (Seattle, $9500 buy-it-now, 5300 miles):

quote from seller’s listing:

[...] From what I am told, the 1st owner was a serious bike collector from Florida. I was able to contact the salesperson from 2004 and he tells me the bike was always meticulously maintained by that 1st owner. We are also led to believe that the 1st owner carried out basic performance mods such as upgraded camshafts, mild cylinder head porting, carburetor rejetting, fuel system sorting, racing exhaust, different rims, upgraded calipers, etc. I do not have specific info on the internal engine mods but both Jay and the salesperson from ‘04 recall the bike being represented as such. I can tell you the bike runs strong, crisp and way better than the stock SB6R I had in 1998.

So why the heck is the bike this color? Funny you should ask! Jay did not care for the solid red paint scheme as delivered from the factory. He removed all the bodywork sometime in early 2006 and handed it to a well known local Seattle bike painter to create what Jay thought would be the ultimate paintjob for his expensive piece of Asian/Italian finery. Three years later Jay finally got fed up and picked up his bodywork which had been sanded and prepped for painting but that was all. He wanted to ride so he bought many cans of grey Krylon and went to town. [...]

Again, compared to other SB6 Bimotas listed on this site, this seems high regardless of how much expense has gone into this bike. If we were talking about a garden variety GSX-R or Ninja, I’d give the Krylon painted bodywork a pass, but not on a Bimota!

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Yep, another Ducati 851. Isn’t it great owning your own website so you can be this self indulgent? Self: Yes! Check out this :

quote from the eBay listing:

I just picked the bike from Hansen’s BMW Ducati in Medford, Or where they completed over $1500 of service on the bike. The bike needs nothing but more gas. It is currently titled in California if that is a concern to your titling issues. Besides being incredibly beautiful, it has some very rare and historic parts bolted to it.

Make sure to read the full description on eBay. This bike reportedly has $40k in upgrades and work, and apparently a history to back it up. There is an interesting thread on the Ducati 851/888 mailing list debating what the value and sale price value look like. Most agree that it’s worth mid-teens but won’t likely get over 9-10k at auction.

Update 10.6.09 – This auction ended at about $4900 reserve not met.

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Finally, Ari spotted this street legal RS125 on the Bay Area Two Stroke forums (1400 miles, $8500):

quote from the forum listing:

I have a 2009 RS125 California plated bike for sale.
Mods are as follows:
1. 154cc Big bore kit
2. 34mm carb (properly jeted).
3. Intake manifold.
4. V-force reeds.
5. Arrow pipe.
6. Euro wiring harness, lights, switches, mirrors, etc.
7. Seat cowl
8. Carbon Fiber Chain Gaurde
As i said it’s registered and has around 1400 miles on it. Very fast, runs excellent !

Seller is definitely asking a premium for this one as it’s nearly impossible to get something like this registered in California. But I sat on one at last year’s Seattle Motorcycle Show, and it’s a beautiful machine. So light and the craftsmanship is awesome! Thanks for the submission Ari!

dc

I can’t say I’ve ever seen a Strada for sale in the U.S. before. Check out this (21k miles, $1050 reserve not met with 5 days to go):

quote from the eBay listing:

This 1991 Ducati 851 Strada bike is 1 of 225 imported. It is a strickly stock bike except for the Corbin seat and stainless steel braided brake lines ( both nice improvements!) It is in EXCELLENT condition for age( marks here and there, a “6 footer” ); REVS, RUNS AND RIDES beautifully! I really hate to let this great bike go.

–> ONLY 21, 660 miles! DESMOQUATTRO ENGINE STARTS, RUNS, and REVS LIKE NEW! This year 851 Ducati is one of the best in many ways: Ohlins front and Showa rear; both fully adjustable! Had 20,000 mile service. Electrical systems work fine. Clutch is typical Ducati. Tires are in good shape also! It is an Italian bike and rides like one; stiff but ready to rock and roll when necessary. At a stop light or parked, always gets noticed.

In some ways more fun to ride than later Ducati Sportbikes! ( at a fraction of the cost!)

And here’s a sexy yellow (19k miles, $4k reserve not met with 4 days to go):

quote from seller’s listing:

1993 Ducati 900 SS/SL Superlight

* Superb condition. Runs beautifully.
* 19,059 miles.
* BCM 944 kit
* High-tensile head studs
* Recent valve job
* New battery.
* Marchesini wheels
* Dunlop Sportmax tires – 170/60 ZR17 rear, 120/70 ZR17 front
* Arrow carbon fiber mufflers
* Corbin saddle

Includes:

* Original mufflers
* Original saddle
* Eclipse touring bag
* Tank bra
* Weather-proof cover
* Pit-bull bike stand
* Spare 900 SS (non-perforated) clutch cover.

The one thing that strikes me about both bikes is that they’ve been ridden, and I applaud that! Two exceptional enthusiast rides that deserve to be ridden even more!

dc

I’m posting late night because I’m on a short work week and probably won’t get the chance to post again for a bit. Luckily Doug and Alex have my back!

In the meantime, check out these two early Ducati Superbikes for sale right now!

quote from seller’s ad:

Un-molested Ducati F1 Laguna Seca race bike. This bike has not been modified to make it street legal, but I do have it registered and licensed. I have ridden the bike one time for about 2 blocks. I start the bike up once a month and run it through a heat cycle. The bike is part of my race collection and is inside in a Heated show room. For the past 20 years I have been restoring race bikes and I am getting up in years and would like to thin out my collection.

I don’t know alot about these older Superbikes, but here is an excerpt from Brad the Bike Boy website (make sure to check out this link, the detail is amazing!):

There were three F1 specials – the Montjuich (to celebrate victory at the track of the same name), the Laguna Seca (to celebrate Lucchinelli’s victory there) and the Santamonica (to celebrate Lucchinelli’s victory there in the ’86 F1 World Championship race). According to the Motociclismo book, they had 73 Hp at 9,250 RPM at the axle, while the works bikes had almost 90.

Here’s a YouTube video of an 88 F1 to check out what they sound like:

And if you need to get your F1 fix on even more, check out this April entry from DucatiNewsToday with a wallpaper for your viewing enjoyment!

If you have feedback on the value of these bikes, I’d love to get some comments below!

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One of a kind, completely modified 1992 Ducati 851 on L.A. Craigslist:

quote from seller’s listing:

YOU’VE HEARD IT BEFORE , THIS IS TRULY ONE OF A KIND BIKE. BEST BIKE IN SHOW AT LAGUNA SECA , COVER OF MOTORCYCLIST, DUCATI CALENDAR BIKE. ALL CARBON FIBER INCLUDING RIMS . TERMIGNIONI EXHAUST , OHLINS FRONT & REAR END. FAST BY FERRACI ,
140 HP JUST OVER 300LBS. WAY TOO MUCH TO LIST . OVER $ 60,000.00 DOCUMENTED WORK .
SERIOUS INQUIRES ONLY $ 22,500.00

It could be argued that you’d have to be crazy to spend $60k on an 851, but does that make it a bargain at $20k? I have to believe that this personal love affair will have a hard time fetching that money even at 3:1. But it sure sounds like the business. I know we have a quite a few 851/888 aficionado subscribers, what are you thoughts?

dc

I do love me some 851 goodness, and this one looks really good! With under 10k miles on this 17 year old superbike, it looks to be in phenomenal condition! Take a look here on eBay where the starting bid is $5000:

quote from the seller’s listing:

Very rare 1992 ducati 851. This bike has alot of upgrades including lots of carbon fiber, Marchisini wheels, floating brake rotors and much more. This bike is mint and part of a collection, it was always kept indoors and always maintened properly. Look at the pics and you will see that a bike like this does not come for sale very often. This is a no reserve sale and a 7 day auction so someone will get this beautiful bike at a great price. If you know Ducati you know how great this bikes are and know the upgrades made by the factory for this 2nd generation of 851.

This bike excites me for a few reasons. For starters it has very tasteful modifications and the condition looks really good. It’s also part of a collection as the pictures tell the real story. Check out all the other Duc’s in the background. And I do believe that’s a late model Testarossa in the same garage.

I think it’s getting close to time to sell my 750SS and upgrade. These 851 and 888’s that have been coming up are really making me consider it!

dc

Sometimes it seems like the coveted 888 gets more attention than the 851; especially on this blog! But it’s important to remember that the 851 itself was still a big step up from the 900SS in terms of technology and performance, and that the 888 is an evolution of this series. The SP3 version fits somewhere in between being a special edition 851, but having never been imported to this country, it’s a rare sight, replica or not! Check out this cool Ducati 851 SP3 replica on eBay ($6100/reserve not met currently, 5 days remain):

quote from seller’s eBay listing:

I am offering my 1991 Ducati 851 built as an SP3 Replica in hopes that it goes to another loving home. I bought this bike three years ago and put only 2.8 miles on it since then and have decided to sell it to fund my next Porsche street car. I bought this 851 from an authorized Ducati dealer and this was his personal bike. Before I picked it up he did a full service on it including valve adjustment, timing belts, fuel & oil filters, throttle body sync & Co EFI adjustment, fluids & coolant. I just put a new battery and fresh gas in it last week and took it for a ride around our neighboorhood. The sound of the (very expensive) Termignioni “Spaghetti” exhaust brought about every neighboor kid & teen waiting for me to get back in the garage with this bike.

[...]

In addition to the rare and expensive exhaust it also has full floating cast iron rotors on billet aluminum carriers, Ohlins shock, Ducati SP3 fiberglass solo race tail section, Billet Brembo brake calipers, Front matching white # plate with painted silver & black clearcoated pinstripes (to match period correct Ducati logo), Period correct Ducati vented clutch cover, Black Brembo 5.5 & 3.5″ wheels and probably some other things I have forgot. The 1991 851 has a lightweight aluminum fuel tank which also makes this a desireable year.

As I proofread my opening paragraph writing this post, I had to laugh out loud at myself because I’m actually trying to suggest there’s enough difference in the 851/888 series of models such that it requires some debate. I have no doubt the 888 SPO is the tops and ‘the one to have’. But as they say, I wouldn’t kick an 851 out of bed either. And this one in particular is loaded and good miles.

A couple questions for the readers: How big a difference is the 851 compared to the 888 to you? And is all out rarity and top spec the most important thing to you, or is all out performance — like if we introduced 748/916 variants in the mix for similar money?

Can of worms

Resources:

The 851/888 Yahoo Group is a must. I subscribe and lurk just to learn from their expertise.
The Ducati851and888.com forums
Official Ducati Heritage Page on the 851 SBK

dc