It always starts the same way. Sitting at my desk doing research in the ultra-plush offices of www.RareSportBikesForSale.com I find a cool bike that I just know that our readers would love. Then I get the nagging suspicion that I have seen the bike before. Quickly jump into the archives and… there it is. So if you are a regular reader of RSBFS – and you have a decent memory – you will remember having seen this bike last year. But even then this is a story worth re-telling. Because how many 30 year old, sub 500 mile “never been titled” iconic motorcycles are you expecting to find in your lifetime?
1985 Ducati 750 F1 for sale on eBay
From the seller:
Never Titled – Comes with its Certificate of Origin (from Ducati) – Mileage – 570 Kilometers = 353 Miles. If you are looking for a jewel to add to your collection, (#499) is a time warp and one of the best! This is a 29 year old motorcycle with 353 miles.The original purchaser bought the bike from Sunnyvale Imports in Santa Monica, California. The first time his mother saw the motorcycle, she made her son promise he would never ride it again. Somehow convincing, the motorcycle was pushed to the rear of ‘her’ garage. It did not to see the light of day again until 2006 when I found it, still with gas in its aluminum tank. Since owning I have not tried to start and its turn signals have been removed due to the plastic drying.
The 750F1A was Taglioni’s last design and (593) were produced. Few came to the United States and this is most likely the only one in the United States never titled and comes with the (From Ducati) Manufactures Certificate of Origin. If you want one of the best collectible and still reasonably priced Ducati’s (compared to new models), you’re looking at it.
The last time we laid eyes on F1A #499 it was packaged in a trifecta deal with a 600cc TT2 (itself seen multiple times on the pages of RSBFS) and a 996R – bidding started at $50k, and reserve was never met. Now this F1 is back, and is still looking for that next museum parking place (let’s face it; this will never fall into the hands of someone who will ride it). With a BIN approaching $25k the value in this bike is steeped in the story and the certificate of origin. Getting a title would knock out the story, and a good percentage of the appreciation. Roll it into the house next to the billiards table and try to keep guests from using the tank as a drink coaster. Damn shame, but the reality (although someday someone will have to explain how an “untitled – never had a title” motorcycle has plates). Can I rail on the “nobody ever rode this bike” mentality and at the same time question why it looks like it had some out-of-doors time? Why does the MSO list the model year as 1987? Perhaps I am being too cynical for my own good. As always we recommend you do your homework; it can be a tri-colored jungle out there. Good Luck!
MI
