1974 Ducati 750 SS for sale!

For sale: 1974 Ducati 750 SS

The 750 SS is the bike that really put Ducati on the map. Ridden by the likes of Paul Smart to victories in many of the most prestigious races in Europe – including the Imola 200 – the 750 SS helped turn Ducati from a boutique builder into a genuine superbike manufacturer. 1974 was the first year of mass production (allegedly 401 units) of these masterpieces.

The bike is question is not a numbers-matching, original (or restored) machine. It is, however, a good example of what happens to a true race bike: it changes hands, it gets modified, and if luckly, it survives. This bike is a beautiful survivor.

From the seller:
I am very reluctantly selling what is arguably one of the most coveted bikes in the world with a “buyit now” at a tad more than 50% of the going price for an original, unrestored example. Granted, this bike is neither unrestored or original. It is, however, a very real modified 74 750SS that had been raced & then restored in Italy. And yes, this bike once sold recently here on Ebay, but finances fell through.
I purchased this bike in Rimini at a Mostra Scambio (monster sale) from a fellow from San Marino in November of 2001 along with an NCR. I was asked by several people there where I would be displaying the motorcycles ie. museum. I responded that they would be displayed under my butt when I rode them. Both of the bikes required some work and although the NCR is not yet done, this one is in amazing shape. When I bought the bike in Rimini it was cosmetically very nice, but it was modified. It had twin plug heads, oil cooler, Imola cams, milled side cases, bolts drilled for safety wire, Veglia tach, longitudinally drilled front rotors & possibly other bits & pieces. The engine # on the cases does not coincide with the recognized series of #’s for the run of 750SS’s. It is 751554. I strongly suspect that at some time in its racing history a rod was thrown, breaking the original cases & replacement cases were installed. None the less the engine is still very much a 750SS & the reduced price reflects this issue. I have over the years seen 750SS cases with the proper series #’s for sale if that were a deciding factor fo a buyer. The frame # is DM750SS*075295*. It has since visited Tom Frutiger @ Wheels Unlimited south of Rochester, MN. These guys are some of the best in the business when it comes to early bevel drive Ducs. Tom replaced pistons, rods, bearings, & shimmed the bevel gears among other things. It now runs incredibly well & is mechanically perfect. It truly hauls ass. Original top speed on these stock was listed at 220kmh…Tom claims before he did the engine work on this bike it was still pulling strong at225kmh. For those in the Midwest that don’t know about Wheels, you are truly missing something. They were a Ducati dealership since the late sixties & are willing to confirm authenticity of this bike (507 288 5630). If you have questions regarding this bike you are certainly welcome to call me, but I would strongly suggest calling Tom as he knows this particular bike better than anyone. I have pulled off the original glass tank as the clowns in this state like to put corn (ethanol) in our gas & it will destroy fiberglass. The original tank as well as the other rotors will come with the bike. These bikes are becoming extraordinarily hard to find in any sort of shape & this one is very nice. For those that require an original, properly numbered 750SS, I am aware of one here in the Twin Cities that is for sale in the $125k range…let me know. Please DO NOT BID if you are either not serious or do not have the funds. Will be happy to assist with shipping (Forward Air) or may be willing to deliver within several hundred miles at buyers expense. Please feel free to call (Dave @ 651 492 2522) or email with any questions. I reserve the right to end this auction early if offered a fair price.

The seller has indicated that this is not a numbers matching bike, and that a few key bits will go with the sale – including the fantastic fiberglass gas tank, complete with a translucent strip so that you can determine the fuel level.

This bike is a true piece of history, and not one that can be found every day. If you are interested only in museum pieces then this may not be for you, but if you would like to own and ride a piece of history, here is a chance at much lower than “numbers matching” prices.

MI