Classic Duck: 1986 Ducati F1

For Sale: 1986 Ducati F1

Update 5.23.2012: We first saw this Duc in November of last year and it’s be relisted. Last time we saw bidding cross $10k with the reserve still in place. Currently at $5700 reserve not met. Links updated. -dc

From San Francisco, California comes this fantastic Ducati 750 F1 “B” model, with engine internals breathed on by the legendary Fast by Ferracci crew. While this is not a pristine example of the breed, it is in very nice condition and appears to have enjoyed considerable “experience” unknown to many garage queens. For more museum quality F1s, consider these posts HERE and HERE.

The Ducati F1 was as close to a race bike with lights that you could purchase back in the day. Patterned after the TT racers, the F1 was the base model of this stripped down series of bikes. Although the F1 is exclusive in its own right, the Montjuich, Laguna Seca and Santa Monica models were built upon the F1 base and offered more exclusivity and more performance. Still, the F1 was a strong runner for its day, and offered torque, light weight and nimble handling (thanks in part to the 16-inch front wheel).

Today’s bike has a paltry 6,000 KM on the clock – that is approximately 3,700 miles for us metric-challenged US-based riders. This is not terribly high mileage, as this bike is pushing on 25 years of age. That works out to be about 148 miles per year, or about one tankful of gas per annum. That is not much at all.

From the seller:
This is a very nice example of a Ducati F1B “survivor” in original condition. The F1 is the epitome of Ducati’s racing-bred efforts from the company’s early resugence in the 1980s. The F1 is basically a factory-made, low-production racing motorcycle with added lights and turn signals. This one has very low miles.

The F1B was an evolution of the original F1A of the late 1980s- the F1B’s have more engine development including a better combustion chamber and bigger valves that boosted performance. The earlier F1A’s were slightly anemic by comparison as the earlier bikes merely borrowed the 650 Pantah/Alazzurra motor with the same sized valves and merely a larger 88mm bore. The F1B rectified this lower performance with these noted modifications.

The motor in this F1 was built by Ducati experts Fast by Ferracci. It uses quick- responding flat slide 38mm Keihin carbs, NCR #7 cams, and significant head work to squeeze the most from the high performance cams. The bike runs very well ….especially above 5000 rpm- It’ll definitely straighten your arms, and it’s noticeably quicker than a stock F1!

On top of the built motor, this F1 is outfitted with some very nice period racing equipment. A Silentium 2-into-1 racing exhaust system, a vented clutch cover, twin 280 mm full floating Brembo rotors. Menani front brake adapters with 3034 Brembo 4 piston brakes. Forks are 40mm Forcella Italias, the best period forks available. Tires are in good shape- approximately 60% left. The motor was recently serviced with fresh oil, a valve adjust and new belts. You can jump on and ride it home if you so desire.

The paint, particularly on the fairing panels and tail section, is in very good condition with nice patina developing. I would conservatively rate the cosmetic condition as a 6.5 out of 10, well above average. There are paint dings on the frame in the area near the rear wheel, from thrown gravel and road debris. Other paint dings are shown in the photos.

Like many F1’s , this bike has some racing history. I was told that this bike was raced, when new, by an editor of an automotive magazine ( “Road and Track” is what I was told) Its racing number was #88.

F1’s are rapidly appreciating, period superbikes. With the recent interest in and support for these fine machines at Ducstock and the TT2 symposium, prices will continue to rise.

Check out the multiple photos, and video of this fine example of a great running F1B. This would be a great daily driver, cafe racer, weekend canyon carver, or Sunday morning coffee- getter. It would be equally at home on display in your garage, office, or living room. Very few bikes draw as much attention or sheer awe as the F1.

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The odometer reads in kilometers, so this has 6000km, not miles.

I added the VIN number to the bike’s description per your requests. PLEASE note that the bike is a 1986 model, not a 1988.

The eBay auction lists this bike as a 1988, but the VIN checks out as a 1986. The seller has made a correction in his text which seem to indicate a simple mistake. The F1 was introduced in 1985 and ran through 1988, so this bike certainly looks to be legit. However as well caution all of our RSBFS readers: if are interested in a particular bike, do your homework and ask lots of quetions. In this particular case, I would love to know more about the racing history of this particular bike as I find vintage racers quite interesting.

The value of the 750 F1 series has been pretty solid in the $9,000 – $12,000 range as of late. Perfect bikes with no miles will go for higher (between $13k and $15k according to history) , and well used models a little less. We have seen some bikes listed for as high as $25k, but thus far I have no knowledge of one selling at that stratospherical price. This bike is up to $10,000 relatively quickly, and the reserve is still in place. The modifications and racing history may make up for the lack of “perfection” that some collectors desire. For me, this is *exactly* what I would hope to collect, as it is a bike that has been used and can be ridden. For your chance at this California beauty, click the link and jump over to the auction. Good Luck!

MI