Like the Yamaha GTS posted on RSBFS earlier this month, the Bimota Tesi 3D has a hub centered fork. And that’s about where the similarities between the two end. The GTS was a single model attempt by a big Japanese manufacturer to adapt hub centered fork technology to an otherwise standard bike. The result was an uninspiring, heavy, restricted sport touring package that failed to excite most buyers.
2008 Bimota Tesi for sale on eBay
In contrast, the Bimota Tesi effort began in 1991 with the 1D but continued with the 2d in 2005 and the 3d in 2007. The Tesi 3d was pure Italian and about as far away on the motorcycling spectrum from the GTS as you could get; only made in small numbers, priced out of the reach of most mere mortals and something guaranteed to draw a crowd during bike night. A review of the Tesi can be found here
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/mcn/bikereviews/searchresults/bike-reviews/bimota/bimota-tesi-3d-2007-current/
This particular tesi is listed as being a slightly repaired carbon version here in the USA and is listed with no reserve. KBB lists the value between 20k and 25k so the sellers asking price is actually spot on, even with the damage. That plus the the good eBay feedback number would seem to indicate a reasonably trusted sale. Bidding will still probably be brisk and it would certainly be a worthwhile add for a collector.
SUBMITTED BY RSBFS SUPERFAN MARTY G/DALLASLAVOWNER
Uh-oh
got this note from the seller this morning
Good morning…
Well, there’s been a development over the weekend which I’m sure will alter your plans.
I was cranking it over ( Sunday ) and the motor went “clack” and stopped turning. I’ve heard this before, it was my Ducati 900SS when it broke the front timing belt. What happened ( that time ) was the valves got ( out of sync ) with the piston and the piston hit a valve, stopping the rotation. It’s better to have it happen a cranking speed rather than 2000+ RPM because at that speed it destroys everything..SO it’s probably got a bent valve and needs a timing belt
That’s a shame. I was thinking about bidding for this.
well he said it would probably take about 2500 to fix..maybe reach out to the seller via ebay and agree to a reduced price + cost of repairs up to a limit? example: maybe proposed 19k + price of repairs up to 3k? still a good deal
just a thought
martin/dallaslavowner
Trade in value on an ’08 is 20k. This one has both a salvage title, and (sadly) now a bent valve (at a minimum). While it may have been completely repaired, the salvage title hurts the value.
Every Bimota Tesi that goes down, the front swing arm gets scraped up. I wonder if it was replaced too.
looks like the seller ended the auction, hopefukly he will get the bike fixed and relist soon
There are lots of questions about this in my mind. Why would a <3000 mile belt break?
Why was a $20,000+ bike written off by the ins co?
As mentioned above is the front swing arm and steering messed up?
Also as said above is a salvage title not = to a big drop in price.
I would love a Tesi but would wait for an ok bike than a salvage title.
Belts usually break from one of two things: 1) belt age, 2) rocks from a crash. I’m guessing that whatever gave this thing a salvage title put a rock or two into the belts (I don’t know if these ran covers or not). It would make sense that it was all related.
Here’s the story, as I am the owner of this bike. The front swingarm had only minor scratches in the finish, so it was sanded, repainted the proper color.
As far as thebelt goes, in the “crash” the dogbone that connects the front swingarm to the lever to the shock went too far ( and bent- was replaced ) to the point it contacted the timing belt cover and pinched the belt. I R&r’d both heads to be sure all was ok, replaced the valve and seal on the front cylinder, replaced both belts and now all is good. I did the r&r myself, being a mechanic and enthusiast for 40+ years. The head was reconditioned by GP Cycles in San Diego. Valves were reset and then the heads were put back on.
As gar as the salvage goes, the last Tesi 3D ( clean title ) for sale that I saw went to $28,800 and did NOT meet reserve. If you have $30000 to spend, then yes- by all means- get a clean title one. But if you want to own something like this for $20,000 to perhaps $25,000 then this might be for you. REMEMBER- you in the USA are at a disadvantage because many countries ( when importing bikes ) “clean the slate” and they become CLEAN TITLE again. so those buyers dont care about what a piece of paper says, they want the bike itself. PLUS the fact that there are only about 26 of these left ( of the original 29 ) and most are in collections that may be tied up ( not for sale ) for years and years…and some point there will be no more…..thanks for your time, the bike will be up for sale again ( now all repaired ) on 06/20/2014 on eBay..