Update 9.11.2015: Previously listed in March of this year, this 750 TT1 is back on eBay. Good luck to buyers and seller. -dc
Here is a true legend, a Ducati TT1 race bike available for sale in the UK. The Ducati TT1 was a 748cc race bike based on the hugely successful Ducati TT2. While the TT2 was only 600cc it won the world championship multiple times. The TT1 didn’t produced quite the same success as it’s smaller brother and Ducati only built 60 TT1’s before focusing its efforts on its street legal version, the 750 F1.
Sadly the early edition 750 F1’s werent that good on the street and were described as “uncomfortable, extremely unreliable, and slow”. But the TT1 was none of those things and is still one of the most desirable and collectible Ducati’s ever made, largely due to their rarity and face-melting performance capabilities.
1984 Ducati 750 TT1 for sale on eBay
According to the seller, this TT1 is an original Pablo Real race bike run by Team Leoni in the 1984 season. For those of you too young to know about Real and Leoni, Reno Leoni was a former test rider for the Ducati factory who moved to America in 1965 and stayed for the next 35 years. Leoni first made a name for himself with Moto Guzzis and then most famously with Ducatis and was instrumental in establishing the early Superbike series and then the emerging Battle of the Twins division. Meanwhile Pablo Real was the AMA’s 1991 Pro Twins GP1 national champion and always ran well on the high banks at Daytona.
According to the seller, this bike is basically un-restored and looks just as it did when it was last raced (with the exception of a depressurized rear shock). Apparently the shock went down as the bike has spent the last several years as one of the centerpieces of the Silverman Museum Racing collection.
Here is some of the other info the seller provides:
- A fantastic period built privateeer TT1
- 750Cc engine tuned by Lenci of Rome
- 41mm Malossi carbs, ported heads, race cams
- M1R forks, floating Brembo discs with Gold line P08 calipers, Campagnolo magnesium wheels
- Verlicchi frame, Verlicchi lightweight aluminium swinging arm t
- his bike’s loaded with all the best bits so much of which is of course unobtainable today
Of course now we come to the question of what it will take to put your hands on this lovely piece of Italian exotica? Well hang on tight folks because when this bike was offered for sale by Bonhams last year the auction expected bid range was between $16,500 and $18,500 USD. I think that makes it the most expensive bike we have ever posted here on RSBFS, although a few of the Ducati SuperMonos we have posted have been close.
Even with the recent movements in the dollar vs euro, the asking price for this bike is still likely to be equal to a decent 1st house or a full tuition at a US private university. But if you are by some chance a RSBFS reader who can afford something like this and you bring it over here to the states, all I can say is….can I have a go?
-Marty/Dallaslavowner
This seller has listed some amazing motorcycles. I would sure like to see what he has laying around his villa.
I don’t want to be “that guy”, but after looking at the Bonham’s auction listing, there seems to be 2 different bikes discussed.
The tank, with the see-through panel, the front fender, etc. are different.
I looked to see what it finally sold for, and that’s where my confusion comes from.
Or, I could chalk it up to my being a nitwit.
A distinct possibility.
you are probably right…the seller emailed me that the bike had been for sale at bonhams auctions previously but those may have been different bikes…still it gives you an idea of what these are going for
marty
It may be be rare[although 60 of one model is A LOT when compared to TZ’s or RS’s Hondas] ,but to me,it does not have universal apeal.It would suit a Ducati enthusiast for sure,but he would then also have to be interested in race bikes that cannot be registered,so that narrows it down even further.
I have not interest in it.It’s for a geneneration of older enthusiasts that must now be approaching their twilight years,which means the days of outrageously expensive motorcycle collection pieces may no longer be a high priority for them.
Just a few things to clear up the confusion on Ducati TT bikes in general. This is not Pablo Real’s old TT1. His bike was actually the 1985 Milan show bike and is currently in a collection in Colorado last I heard. It was one of the Bonhams bikes a few years ago. They did not make 60 TT1’s more like 11 or 12. Many replicas exist but very few genuine bikes do. That’s why the prices are quite high. These are the rarest of Ducati racers. Rider Tony Rutter and tuner Pat Slinn won four championships with these beautiful machines .The TT2 (the 600 version of the 750 TT1) was built in the 60 bike quantity or so range. Some of these were converted (kitted) to TT1 specs. To me they were Taglioni’s finest moment. Light (under 300 lbs.) fast, and handled like a race bike should. The purest of racing machines.
Since its a Reno Leoni bike could it have been ridden by Jimmy Adamo?
Pie Face. I don’t think rare motorcycles have such a short shelf life. Look what Vincent Black Shadows, Lightnings, or Brough Superior TT100’s bring dollar wise today. Riders of those bikes have passed-on a while ago.
This is an ’84 model year! RG500 Suzukis, and RD500 Yamahas are mid ’80’s bikes and they are very popular. How about bevel drive Ducati 750s and 900 SS, priced a MV Agusta 750 America or 500 racer or even a mid ’70’s Yamaha 700, 750 TZ lately?
hmmm… looks like I need to research these a bit more carefully…thanks for the info, always good to have the most correct info possible on these posts
marty/dallaslavowner
To those who don’t know, Lou Saif who posted above is arguably the world’s foremost expert on TT1 and TT2 Ducati’s. What he says is generally true, and unlike a lot of “experts” out there, he backs up his statements with facts, real racing data, and his multitude of contacts including none other than Reno Leoni and others he knows personally. We were lucky to have him chime in on his bike…..
Ciao to all there,
i’m selling this bike and i would like no misunderstanding on it.
Lou is absolutely correct in saying that works TT1’s are some the rarest of Ducati’s racers.
This bike is an 80’s built privat rider’s bike, not a works specs, so far away from Adamo or Real bikes! NO comparison and no misunderstandings on it.
Anyway being a period bikes with many nice parts it worth more of course of a newly built replica.
Thanks to you all for your comments.
All the best
Gianluca
I bow down to Lou!
Beautiful bike.
how is this bike even confused with the Pablo Real bike? who wrote this?