1978 Ducati Supersport
Miles: 17,500
Clean Title
Bid at post: $10,000
Auction ends: Aug 7
BIN: $28,500
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Seller
Sorry, no glam shots here like on the Bring a Trailer website! Just some humble driveway shots.
I’m 59 soon to be 60 Ducati enthusiast since 1990. I’ve had all versions of bevel drive models and 3 of these in the past.
This particular bike I got from Vermont about 3 years ago and is absolutely the best tuned best running machine of the bunch.
This bike has 40mm Dellortos and Conti pipes. It also has been converted to dual spark heads. This makes the bike start easier, throttle responsive is fantastic and burns way cleaner. It’s the fastest of my previous bikes with zero back firing and a smooth power band that pulls like a freight train to redline.
The rest of the bike is pretty bone stock with minor period correct mods like smaller turn signals which work and Koni shocks.
It’s been repainted but all the fiberglass is original to the bike including the rare windshield.
Correct Borrani 4777 rims.
The 1978 model is considered the most refined version of the series as well as the last with this color scheme and wire wheels. The shifter was designed without the sloppy crossover linkage and is more precise.
Yes, the lead seal is intact. No broken fins on the engine and no signs of it ever being laid down.
It comes with the original air boxes in new condition and parts manual.
It’s no trailer queen, I like riding not polishing so it will be the new owners duty to break out the toothbrush.
As far as needs, the tires are old. Not checked or cracking but old. I’ve taken these on the twisties in our local mountains but have not pushed limits.
The cold start video shows it fires up usually on first or second kick and idles nicely once warm. I just ran it up and down my street- would have been nice to have a video zooming by on the highway but this will have to suffice!
I have no service history. No real history of the bike at all other than the previous owner’s obsession to the bike and so it’s been loved.
Im selling only to fund my daughter’s college tuition. It’s easier to sell this due to the riding position as opposed to other bikes I have. Small chance I’d consider a partial trade towards a friendlier postured 750GT but for now this is a cash sale. You can tempt me with offers of vintage bikes but I still need to raise cash.
I will hold bike upwards of 6 weeks. I won’t be able to meet for pick-up August 16-19 as I will be dropping my daughter off to college. Once paid I will send the title and bill of sale ahead.
I really hate to see this go. It’s been a wonderful ride. Even in its non show bike condition I won best of show in my class at the local annual vintage show.
Please ask plenty of questions. Anyone with fewer than 5 feedback will not be allowed to bid and will be cancelled if they bid. I believe in a fair and safe bidding environment. Any funny business will be cancelled.
RSBFS
We have seen a few of these on the market, and they are so nice to see. Donn found one two years ago and reported, “Though not the first desmodromic valve engine, the bevel has a rabid – following – which capitalizes on the bikes’ vintage beauty. They weren’t a racetrack challenge to Japan’s latest four cylinder bikes, but were only a tad slower on the road with better torque and lighter handling. Almost all are collectible these days, occasional riders with close family ties to Imola and looks that always draw a crowd.”
This bike sure is easy on the eyes! Good luck to the buyer and seller!
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I had a 77, great bike for open road sweepers, city riding it’s more like a truck, the turning radius is huge.
Dual spark heads? I’m certainly no expert, but I believe this is the first time I’ve seen this on a bevel SS.
Saying these were no race track bike is a little unfair as a certain English guy called Mike Hailwood won the 1978 TT on one of these, beating another English guy called Phil Read who was perched on a Honda(and which blew up in fruitless pursuit of the Ducati) – so lets keep the history straight. These are an absolute classic, properly set up they are still quite quick, and its a very visceral experience, electronic nothing.Plus that is the most handsome engine in the bike world.