Santa Monica Spring: 2005 Bimota SB8K Santa Monica (No Reserve!)

Santa Monica Spring:  2005 Bimota SB8K Santa Monica (No Reserve!)

It has been a little slow in the rare sport bike market the past couple weeks with one exception:  Bimota’s.  I think you could have easily acquired a decent Bimota collection in the span of a month.  SB8K Santa Monica’s don’t come up for sale all that often but this will be the second one in just over a week.  I think this one fulfills the shortfalls the dedicated RSBFS readers pointed out on the first Santa Monica.

Lets start with the tank.  Looks like that is the correct carbon tank for the Euro spec model you guys pointed out was missing on the other bike.

On to the real good stuff: no reserve!  Starting bid is $16,500.  Hmm, that is not out of line considering the mileage on this bike.  Did I mention only 570 miles?  Come on, you know no one actually rides Bimota’s.

From the seller:

Offered at NO RESERVE! 2005 Bimota SB8K Santamonica. 2nd owner. Purchased in May 2011 with 250km on the clock. This is the REAL euro version with full carbon fiber gas tank.
When purchased, Ducati Austin performed the following:

Inspection
Oil change
All fluids changed
New battery
New fork seals and fluids
Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP Tires

At about 500km, the epoxy on the bottom of the gas tank started to deteriorate (common with carbon tanks) so it went back to Ducati Austin for:

2 coats of Caswell Plating
Fuel pump flange milled for better fit to the tank
Carbon around fuel pump reworked for a tighter seal

At 890km, Horsepower Farm performed the following:

Refitted all the bodywork for a more correct fit without filling or drilling any panels or brackets

Fitted for US license plate

Installed Rizoma grips

Bike currently has 912km. Never down, rained on, or ridden in anger (unfortunately). Completely stock with exception of Rizoma Grips in gold (not pictured, as I just put them on) and a custom fabricated adapter to fit a US plate to the stock carbon hanger, as it is drilled for an EU plate. Comes with both keys, manual and Bimota cover.

The only imperfections are a small (1 inch) boot scratch on the right side of the carbon subframe, and a small (nickel sized) dark spot on the radiator. The scratch is not really visible unless you are looking for it at the right angle in the sunlight. Like most hand made Bimotas, some of the carbon bodywork fits a bit less than snug, but hey, that’s the nature of these things.

So it’s basically a new Santamonica that has been fully sorted out from sitting in a living room for years.

There you go kids, a high end bike for sale with good pictures and with a nice accurate and insightful description from the seller.  Can anyone comment on the sellers remarks about the bodywork? I always consider the fit and finish on a Bimota second to none.

Who is going to have a great Spring on a new Bimota?

Here she is, carbon tank and all.

Here is a thread on the bike with more pictures on the ApriliaForum. Mmmm, carbon fiber.

Ian