Everyone knows that the Ducati superbike market is on fire right now. Amazing low mileage examples are bringing huge numbers at auctions. Collectors are hunting for the best of the best and paying up for the chance to add one of these beautiful machines to their garages. As with most things collectable, originality is the primary focus. Gurus are consulted for information on tiny details in the endless pursuit of perfection. The bikes not snapped up by collectors are often enjoyed out on the road by owners that want to have the experience of this era motorcycle. But the often overlooked custom market offers some really unique and interesting items.
The work custom in the collector market can be both scary and polarizing. Many have seen poorly slapped together projects called custom builds, and rightfully shy away. Often the modifications do not have a meaningful improvement on the performance. They often would cost a substantial amount of money to replace with the correct OEM parts. Those fears are not justified on a bike like this. Today’s bike is one of those “money no object” builds that rarely trade hands. Just take a look at the lengthy list of over the top parts that were used to build this bike.
From The Seller’s eBay Listing:
This special Ducati is for the collector who demands perfection, and something spectacular.
Rare, one of a kind, Ducati Superbike.
Up for sale: the “You Wish” 1036CS built by Alex Ortner which took 1700 man hour to build.The “You Wish” bike as published in the Ian Falloon’s article in Two Wheels magazine.
Quick synopsis of the bike:
-342lb wet (no gas)
– 155hp with just under 100ft-lb of torque
– Ti, Mag, and CF everything
– 1700hr of build time, many one-off partsThe bike has been gone over and completely sorted by CommonWealth Motorcycles, over the 12-years I have owned it. Also, the motor was rebuilt to a much higher spec than Alex had it by CommonWealth motorcycles and tuned by Doug Lofgren (to the tune of $12,000.00 invoices attached). The motor is now putting out 155hp and just under 100ft-lbs of torque. Also, the motor has roughly 100mi since the rebuild.
The bike has also had a certified independent appraisal done by Mark Mederski of Mederski Vintage Motorcycle Services for $205,000.00
Attached:
*Copy of “You wish” article
*Full Independent appraisal by Medershi Vintage Motorcycle Services
*copies from Common Wealth Motorcycles of the work they have done on the 1036CS since purchased.
*the 1036CS will be sold with a fresh service by Common Wealth Motorcycles for the new buyer so it is ready for the track or road upon delivery.
The trouble with this type of bike is that they are extremely challenging to value. Do you take the cost of the build? How do you factor into the fact that some of these period parts are no longer available? Does the price of the underlying stock bike matter? Or do you just pick a number that you are comfortable with and tell yourself that you only live once and that life is too short to miss out on an amazing bike like this?
Bidding is already over $15k and the seller is hinting at six figure evaluations.
$205,000 appraisal?! Dunno about that figure. It’s not bayliss’ champ winning bike or one of fights bikes.
Appraisals are hard to use. Often they are for insurance or other business needs that do not necessarily line up with retail value.
‘I wish’ it had an appealing color scheme
I think this is a case of one person’s vision taken to the full end. It is an amazing example of extreme customization BUT it is so fine-tuned to one person’s tastes I don’t think it will ever command what was invested in cost. I’d much prefer something much closer to stock.
That is normally the case with any in-depth build. They are not built as an investment.
I would also bet that the next owner would end up spending an amount of money further tailoring it to their desires as well. The evolution will continue.
Probably one of the easier things for the new owner to update/change.
Would be high on my list too.
A Japanese lad called Watanabe built a carbon fibre frame for his Ducati 888/916 many years back, in his tiny Tokyo apartment.
Didn’t hear tell of $205,000 valuation then, but it’s a free country.
$22,100.00 reserve not met.
dc
Relisted for $58,000.00.
Also, we’ve posted this bike before. Here’s Ian’s post from 2012 and you’ll note the pictures are the same: https://evu.hhv.mybluehost.me/raresportsbikesforsale/the-opposite-of-stock-ducati-1036cs-built-by-alex-ortner-1999-ducati-996/
dc