Posts by Category: Ducati

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We have 15 years of archives. Please note that posts over a year old may have been updated to point to similar bikes available to bid on eBay.

Ducati June 28, 2022 posted by William

Get ’em While The Gettin’s Good: 2005 Ducati 749

Not that long ago the 999/749 era was not looked on fondly. People repeated an endless stream of disparaging comments, all revolving around aesthetics. They literally were looking past a machine that was better in every functional way to the previous generations. They failed to acknowledge the amazing racing success and usable road manors. Today we have seen collectors turn their eyes to the 999/749, partly because of massive price increases to the 996/748 bikes but also because the newest collectors are at an age to have a stronger connection to the 999/749. It was the bike they grew up lusting after.

As with most Ducati lines ups there is a “standard” bike, an upgraded S model and the range topping homologation specials with and R branding. Obviously the higher specification bikes come with a premium both in appeal and pricing. For many years enthusiasts quietly purchased and enjoyed the 750cc versions of Ducati sport bikes. The idea was that you got all the looks and curb appeal for a fraction of the cost. Some were even opened an honest about riding style and skill so they admitted that for most the open class bikes were overkill.

From The Seller’s eBay Listing:

Excellent condition cosmetically and mechanically. Bike needs nothing. Really rare and collectible with really low miles. Mint condition. 6700 miles. Recently serviced including belts, oil, oil filter, spark plugs etc…more pics and videos on demand. This is a classic Ducati only raising in value. Bike comes with Biposto seat and biposto frame. Past are the days that this model was considered ugly and only people started appreciating this a few years ago. Clean title on hand. Only cash. No trades. Thanks for watching

This standard 749 might not be a top tier version but that does not mean it should be dismissed. The bike is listed as being well serviced and in nice shape. Images show a desirable Tergi exhaust and a complete suite of books and keys. As more and more people start looking to add a bike from this generation it will be come harder and harder to find a clean and well sorted example. The $8,999 Buy It Now price might initially shock some, but that does appear to be reasonable pricing right now. Worst one could say is it might be slightly “future pricing”. These are well beyond the timeframe to be depreciating.

Ducati June 28, 2022 posted by Mike

Track Day Tuesday: 1983 Ducati TT Pantah

It’s time again for another of my favorite installments: Track Day Tuesday! And today’s gem is more than just a UJM with lights removed/taped over. Today’s track day bike actually belongs on a track. Built by Ducati to chase after supersport titles, the TT2 was a fantastic race bike utilizing the new Pantah engine. This was to be the replacement of the bevel drive street bikes and racers, and toothed rubber belts to drive the Desmo valve assembly proved to be quiet, reliable and much easier to build and set up. All in all, the TT was legendary for light weight, narrow profile, and fantastic handling; in the hands of someone like Tony Rutter this was a formidable racetrack weapon.

From the seller:
1983 Ducati TT Pantah Corsa Racer.

Full restored Ducati TT Pantah/ Corsa Racer red / yellow. To many new parts to list. For the TT Corsa Pantah Racer a Ducati frame # DMK8F00084 with added a 38 mm Marzoccchi racing suspension was used. Running on 16 inch front wheel with new 120-80-16 Battlax / rear 150-60-180 Battlex / FPS wheels.

More from the seller:
The engine # DM 650 612909 rebuild to original spec’s 650 cc SOHC Desmo V-twin new 38 mm Dellortos’s engine capable of producing 75 horsepower at 10,800 rpm and mated to a five-speed transmission with dry clutch. All engine internals replaced with OEM Pantah parts.

38 mm Marzocchi front forks, 280 mm Brembo brakes and adjustable rear shocks by Ohlins are also part of the bike’s overall package.

I will cast this out to the RSBFS experts out there, as I thought that the TT1 machines were 750cc, while the TT2 examples all displaced 600cc. I am not aware of a TT in 650cc, but happy to be schooled. Ducati DID homologate the Pantah-powered 650SL specifically for the TT1, but (and I’m going out on a limb here) it could be that what we are looking at here is a TT2-inspired racer based on a 650SL – and hence not a factory TT racer. There are several companies that offer bodywork kits to do just that. Regardless, this bike looks extremely clean and well presented. There are some high dollar components on this one, and I am itching to don my leathers just looking at it.

Check out all of the details here, and any of our sharp-eyed readers please feel free to comment on what you think about this one. It is a very sano build, and looks like a tremendous amount of fun without being priced in the stupidly expensive seats. Summer is here, tracks are open, and here is one track day monster that will really turn some heads. Good Luck!!

Ducati June 28, 2022 posted by Donn

Forza Smussato – 1978 Ducati 900SS with 1,900 Miles !

Today’s Supersport is a vintage bevel still on the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin and presumably never registered. Condition and ask are more stadium auction than eBay. Just a couple of klicks down Rte. 7 from me if a reader would like a close-up inspection.

1978 Ducati 900SS for sale on eBay

Ducati added 6mm to the bore of the 750SS and found 864cc’s and 67 hp. Still an early adoption of the desmodromic valve gear, reviewers advised against ignoring the valve adjustment intervals. The stout frame tubes cradle the squared-off engine cases, and spring rates could be kept relatively mild. 280mm brakes and 18-inch spoked wheels round out the running gear. The single seat seems to have been optional for 1978 and joins the party started by the upper-only fairing.

Dealer plates might explain the 1,900 miles and MSO documentation, and likely all but a few happened more than a generation ago. Recently the engine was evidently rebuilt, and factory blinkers are still mounted. Finishes on the chrome, alloy, and paint ( sometimes all in the same picture ! ) are excellent without seeming overdone. Details from the eBay auction –

Silver with Blue. 1,900 original miles, same owner since 1988 – still on Ducati Factory MSO. In 2019, the bike was totally gone thru, the brakes and the carburetors rebuilt, the engine was disassembled and refreshed after sitting for many years, this was all done by a Ducati Expert. Almost $15,000 was spent doing this work with receipts to verify the work done. The bike is in excellent condition exactly as you would expect for a super low mile example. It comes with an additional front fairing and owners manual. Ducati’s are the ultimate sport bike. If you are collector this is one you should have in your collection! It is a very low mile example that has just been mechanically gone thru.

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.

-donn

Forza Smussato – 1978 Ducati 900SS with 1,900 Miles !

Ducati June 15, 2022 posted by Mike

Classified: 1986 Ducati 750 F1

In the late 1980s, the Ducati F1 was – technologically speaking – a bit of a relic. The revolutionary Kawasaki Ninja had already been in market for two years, offering cutting-edge performance based on a 4-valve per cylinder, liquid cooled platform. The mighty Suzuki GSX-R750 had already made a huge splash, using innovation to add performance and reduce weight. And Ducati? Ducati rolled out an old school, 2-valve, air cooled twin that had both feet firmly mired in the 1970s. What the F1 was missing was zoot suit technology. But the 1970s taught Ducati a LOT about racing, about balance, and about what absolutely required to be on a bike. So Ducati did that – and added nothing else. The result was an extremely narrow, lightweight, stable platform that offered good real world torque and a booming note that makes everyone sit up and take notice.

From the seller:
First introduced in 1985, This Ducati 750 F1 Desmo is one of only 1801 examples produced. Between 1985-1988, Ducati created a street performance version of their race bread machine. Offering the air cooled 748cc Desmodromic engine with the iconic Tri-Color Italian graphics to the public, Ducati’s air cooled L-twin Desmodromic engine combined with the race proven dry clutch, harmonizes with the acoustics of the mechanical parts and exhaust note, creating a machine of function and form, equally.

More from the seller:
This iteration comes with many tasteful race-ready upgrades to improve upon the already impressive machine, these upgrades include: Arkront Magnesium 2-piece wheels (Spain), Lindeman Enterprises rear suspension (aka Lindemann Engineering). Verlicchi Swing arm, Carbon Tech exhaust.

Based on the 600TT racer, the 750 F1 started out life with an impressive pedigree. Much of the DNA was retained in the form of the trellis frame, and very lightweight bodywork, the Pantah motor used as a stressed member, and the Brembo brakes. The F1 – as special as it was – spawned several even more limited editions, including the Montjuich, Laguna Seca and Santamonica, which were all based on the same platform.

These are relatively rare collector machines, and this particular bike does sport some tasty upgrades. This is being listed as a Classified ad, with the seller looking for a cool $18,900 – or reasonable offer. There does appear to be something wonky with the right rear turn signal, but the extent of damage (if it is damaged) is not clear in the photos. We do not see these come up for sale all that often, and since they were produced in limited numbers they will always be scarce and coveted. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

Ducati June 13, 2022 posted by William

Changing Of The Guard: 2005 Ducati 999R

The one constant in the universe is time. It endlessly marches forward. Some say it heals all wounds, others claim it creates new perspectives. Time has clearly helped the 999 generation of Ducati. Once hailed as a ugly duckling and not worthy to follow the beautiful 916, now those comments are little more then a whisper in the back of the room. Most agree that the design has aged extremely well. The performance and race winning heritage was never in question and now these are at an age that collectors are starting to take notice. They offer a ticket into the exclusive Ducati R world at a value that is hard to ignore.

Any Ducati to wear the R badge is riddled with some of the best components available at the time. Magnesium engine covers, forged wheels, Ohlins suspension, radial Brembo calipers, carbon fiber fairings and shower fuel injection round out the list. These were not just slightly upgraded S models, these were serious machines with a focus on track performance. There is a debate in the 999R groups over what year is the best. The latter bikes (like this 2005) have an upgraded swing arm, a striking red frame and a few other small evolutions over the early bikes. In the USA the early bikes were the only ones to come with a numbered triple tree, a build plaque and a few other collectable trinkets. In the real world on the street the changes between the bikes would probably be hard to tell by most owners/riders.

From The Seller’s eBay Listing:

Ducati Superbike. World Ducati Day is coming. Get started with the track season. Modern classic Italian designed by Pierre TerblancheCarbon fiber fairingsMonopostoEVR slipper clutchTermignoni street AND race exhaust with matched ECUs (SOS Diagnostics)Printed shop manual(second set of carbon fiber fairing available separately)Serious offers onlyLocal pickup only in Seattle WA

This example shows about 4,000 miles and had a couple of desirable and period correct upgrades. No mention of service history, or when the last belt change was performed. The latter is not a huge deal and often has exaggerated costs speculated, but service records do add to the appeal of any collectable. The asking price if $18,000 might make some pause, but for anyone following the market closely on these, it is not really out of line. These have risen sharply in value recently as reflected in some high profile auction results. With the prices of run of the mill 916s approaching this price point it makes sense that people are turning their eyes to the next series of bikes and seeking out the highest specification examples.

Ducati June 11, 2022 posted by Donn

Sortalight – 1993 Ducati 900SS Superlight #874

Ducati made a some purely sporting mods to the 904cc Supersport which eliminated the pillion and a added a few lighter components. A previous owner undid some of the weight savings but this is still a quite original and very good example.

1993 Ducati 900SS Superlight for sale on eBay

With all the goodness built in from the 900SS, the Superlight’s single seat and higher exhaust were the icing on the cake. Air-cooled 78 hp accompanied improved braking and adjustable Showa suspension bits, and Marvic wheels with aluminum rims married to magnesium hubs reduced mass in the right places. Carbon mudguards and clutch cover imparted extra lightness. Sure can’t argue with the race number prep on the tailcone and edition number plaque on the triple tree. Chrome yellow paint controverted Ducati rosso purists.

With a shade under 30 years and just over 26K miles, this Superlight has a few imperfections, but looks all together and original in places where many aren’t. Presuming the previous owner wanted wider rear rubber, the next owner will want to keep an eye open for a correct rear wheel to go with new tires. Notes in the eBay auction wander a bit but hit all the important points –

I’ve had it for a few years and barely rode it, I mainly just stared at it. LOL This is a beautiful bike and an absolute head turner when it’s out. They are rarely seen out and about.

Here’s the service history since I’ve had it, all work done by one of the great Ducati 900SS experts in the country, Bobby Weindorf. He has extensive experience from working at Pro Italia and as a mechanic and curator for the Moto Talbot collection and more.

June 2021

-Check valve clearances- all good

-Install new belts, check tensioners and rollers

-Flush and bleed brakes

-Flush and bleed clutch

-Replace spark plugs

-Clean and adjust carbs, clean jets, clean out idle circuit

June 2022

-Disassemble carbs, cleaned all jets

-flush front brake system, installed braided steel lines

Fairings are in really great shape and yes they still have the black spongy lining on the inside. I believe this lining is original. This stuff is so brittle it flakes off to the touch, I’m not kidding, it’s a mess when you touch it, but I’m not removing it because I understand some collectors want that intact for originality.

Some of the bolt holes on the seat fairing have “spiderweb” cracks from a prior owner over-tightening. See pics. Common but unfortunate. I’ve seen body/paint shops lightly touch these up to hide them. I’ll leave that up to you.

Tank looks gorgeous, no dents dings or scratches, one very small touch up paint spot. Probably a few minor nicks here and there, as expected for a 30 year old bike. The engine/metal parts could use a thorough cleaning with some q-tips and a good cleaner to get into the crevices.

The front wheel is the original Marvic. The rear wheel is not. Previous owner swapped for a wheel off a 1997 916. You may be able to find an original replacement on eBay or overseas, I’ve seen them come up for sale.

Bike fires right up, I mean really fires up! First touch of start button! I’m happy to send you a video.

Probably the Make Offer will get some action on this Superlight, with its miles, recent maintenance and appearance asking for a bit more attention. Superlight worldwide production looks to have been just over 1,300 in 1992, then a little over half that in 1993-95. Since the profit engineers stepped in after the first year, earlier bikes are choice. This example checks a lot of boxes and hopefully the next owner will buff it up to a high lustre.

-donn

Sortalight – 1993 Ducati 900SS Superlight #874

Ducati May 27, 2022 posted by Donn

That Is – 1992 Ducati Paso 907IE

Ducati toughed it out with the original Paso, making small improvements until the fuel injected 907 I.E. was introduced in 1991. Today’s has miles but a recent restoration and a couple of nicer add-ons.

1992 Ducati Paso 907IE for sale on eBay

With water cooling and Weber injection, the 907IE’s 904cc’s claim a robust 90 hp, and torque giving a wide range of 3,000 to 8,500 revs in the power band. The square tube chassis is all but invisible under the full Tamburini bodywork, with Marzocchi suspension adapted from the 851 superbike. 300mm Brembo brakes and 120 front / 190 rear tires were more sport than touring. Behind the body-color windshield, the cockpit reviewed as roomy and even a pillion wouldn’t look out of place.

Parked in the lounge area of some kind of motoring workshop, this 907 I.E. looks great with pretty correct decals and white wheels. Guessing those are period Staintune silencers, and the Corbin saddle appears to give a slightly lower and more supportive seat. Looks and sounds like the restoration was substantially cosmetic, with just a couple of maintenance items discussed in the eBay auction –

This is an excellent running and looking 907.. No Problems .. Restored about 5 years ago .. Repainted, decals , had white rims powder coated . Corbin seat .. mechanically all I have done is a water pump, brakes and battery .. put less than 1000 miles in my ownership and less than 100 in the past 3 years .. Have many other bikes .. Plenty of parts availability on eBay if you need but a very reliable fun bike .. Amazingly comfortable ..

All the Paso variants were priced a little higher and had a quirk or two more than the competition, and sales never seemed to exceed 1,000 per year. Still fans who liked the sound and the chassis ( and hung soft bags over the pillion ) lamented its early retirement. These days it’s a sensible entrée into the red bike spectrum and this one has a very low starting bid.

-donn

Aprilia May 25, 2022 posted by Dan

RSBFS Featured Listing Summary

Here’s all the available Featured Listings from our readers in the last week of May 2022! -dc

Mike has dropped the price of his GTS1000 listing to $6,750 CAD which is roughly $5,279 today.

Michael’s 2002 Ducati 748 listing went live last week. He’s looking for an enthusiast to take over stewardship of this excellent and low mileage example.

Fred’s HP2 Sport is looking for a new home at a very reasonable $14,500. These are difficult to find and quickly becoming collectible.

William is an RSBFS team member and his Bimota SB6R listing went live last week.

Dave lowered the price on his Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC to $11,000 last month!

Jonathon’s Monster 1100 Evo racebike is available for summer fun!

Northwest European has this low mileage Ducati 848 available for just $8,950.