Before the Bayliss, Fogarty or the Paul Smart, there was the Mike Hailwood series of Ducati. Interestingly these were not exactly special editions, but rather one of the standard offerings of the time. That said, Ducati was not producing motorcycles in nearly the volume they are today. Time has taken a toll on many, so finding one today can be a challenge.
The example today offers a very unique opportunity for a buyer. This bike is neither a low mileage display piece, nor a freshly restored show bike. Often with the Hailwood it is only the best examples come to market at premium prices. To call this bike a project is slightly unfair. Odds are a fresh service and decent once over will yield a truly iconic motorcycle that one can really enjoy out on the road.
From the Seller’s eBay Listing:
1983 Ducati Mike Hailwood Replica (MHR). This variant was produced in 1983-84 and was a precursor to the Mille or 1000cc. This bike retains the roller bottom end of the early bikes but shares the cases of the Mille. So it has reliable electric start. Recent fluid change and Electrical system check/regulator replacement. Fairings were professionally re-painted and decaled (better than new which is not a big stretch) due to stone chips on lower fairing and wanted to match the upper half. The rest of the bikes paint is as used/original . The seat pan has the usual crack from use and the sliders are paint chipped (was going to do when rebuilding them). Bike has a nice shine for a 38 year old bike including the engine cases, wheels and bright work. Windscreen was replaced. Tires (2007ish) are old but tread is virtually new. Turn signals were replaced as the old ones just hardened and cracked, they are all “rear” or longer as fronts were not available new at the time of purchase. Vacuum petcock system replaced with reliable typical twin system (one per carb).
This is a ridden but not abused bike. Always carefully garaged.
Odo reads 31643 KM so roughly 20K miles. Owned since 1999. Sound of the bike is worth the price of admission.
If interested please ask questions and I will add photos were requested.
I should be ready to ride but I have not registered it and ridden it but the servicing dealer did. Not sure I would plan to drive cross-country but it should. It is 38 years old and I have not ridden it in years..
$500 Paypal deposit within 48 hours of winning bid. Buyer is responsible for pickup / delivery. No OCONUS/non-lower 48/International bidders without prior authorization. Checks must clear in advance of shipping/delivery and I wont pre-pay shipping. COD preferred.
Appearing in the pictures to be a honest used bike, the description reads as one written by a knowable and upfront seller. Some digging around the interwebs uncovered a listing for this specific bike priced just under $20,000. A savvy and handy buyer should have no issues justifying the economics of this bike. It will also be interesting to see where bidding ends as the opening bid was $599 (there is a reserve set)
What’s with the rainbow decal? ????
I think they all had that. Im not sure on any, if any meaning behind it.