Located in Cologne, Germany is this 650 mile example of a 1983 Ducati 900 Mike Hailwood replica. The seller tells a pretty good story (in two languages, no less), and I have lifted his text directly. There are plenty of photos and a couple of videos to help move this tale along. Enjoy!
From the seller:
The DUCATI was driven only 650 miles in dry weather and undervery accurate observance of the running-in recommendations. The DUC had been handled very carefully and always was stored in a warm and good ventilated garage: No rust, best condition of varnished and metallic surfaces, of plastic- and rubber-parts. Therefore the machine is in an absolute top state and has masterfully passed the German TÃœV (Technical inspection agency) check without slightest flaw: TÃœV safety standards authority till May, 2015.
From the seller:
History: December 1983: Collection of the MHR from dealer in Cologne / June 1984: The first registration / September 1984: 1,000-km inspection (at 1,010 km) / December 1985: Cancellation of registration at 1,034 km / May 1986 Reregistration because of upcoming TÃœV appointment and trial trip before TÃœV. On this occasion, unfortunately slide on rough asphalt and damage of fairing, headllight, dashboard and speedometer / Cancellation of registration at 1,040 km / Duc was parked in the garage and prepaired for prolonged inactivity.1988 Repair of the Duc: Assembling with the original fairing windshield and blinkers of the 900 S2, first version / New dashboard with single, more logically arranged LED pilot lights / New speedometer and new BOSCH-headlight / Removable silk screen-marked cover sheet from anodized aluminium.
From the seller:
Please, follow: The miles achievement of this DUC is – as given on top – guaranteed only 650 miles (with carried out 1,000-km inspection) and therefore corresponds only to one third of the running-in distance.The DUCATI was driven by myself only in sunny weather under exact attention to the running-in recommendations of the manual (Warm run phase! Speed! Kind of the load!). He, who does not acquire the DUC as a collector’s item but wants to drive the DUCATI, should drive on exactly in accordance to the running-in values. For safety reason, however, absolutely on new tyres! The reward is pure “Forza Italia”.
So, while this bike may not be totally stock and free from damage history, it is a low mileage machine that presents very well in its repaired form. The pictures tell a pretty compelling story, and I cannot imagine someone not drooling over something this gorgeous. But then again, there is a catch. Well, there are 30,000 catches. The starting bid for this pristine work of art begins at $30,000 USD. Click the link to jump over to the auction and check it out (including all of the hi-res photos)!
MI
The guy is dreaming.
So much for the exacting/careful break-in . . . .
My friends MHR doesn’t have electric start, only kick start. When did the MHR switch to electric start?
Ducati began manufacturing electric start 900 MHRs in 1983. They had to put in a bigger battery to drive the starter motor and this resulted in the frame tubes leading down to the foot pegs being slightly bent and “squashed” on their underside. The end result is these bikes appear bigger than the earlier models and lack the road handling finese, such as it is, of the ealier MHRs. In 1983, some kickstart engines were placed in the electric start frames. If you park a 79 MHR next to a 1985 Replica, one looks like a land missile and the other like a land yacht. Still nice in a BMW sort of way……