Posts by tag: 900SS

Ducati August 5, 2019 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1977 Ducati 900SS

Update 8.1.2019: Joe has renewed his Featured Listings. Check out all of Joe’s bikes for sale on RSBFS! Many thanks for choosing us to help move your collection! -dc

We’re on a roll over here with rare Italian beauties from our buddy Joe, and this 1977 Ducati 900SS is no exception. It might not quite carry the provenance of his MV Agusta 750S America, but a ‘77 900SS is absolutely nobody’s idea of plain.

The Ducati Super Sports entered the market just as Ducati had finished establishing itself as a maker of world-beating race bikes. Paul Smart won the Imola 200 aboard a Ducati Super Sport in 1972, after which the 90-degree v-twins became synonymous with Italian racing prowess. The early SS bikes had right-side shift and almost no provisions for DOT-legal street equipment. Such as, you know, turn signals.

Fast forward to 1977, and Ducati decided that the American market was primed for its desmodromic-valved beasts, and the 1977 Ducati 900SS made its way to our shores in extremely limited numbers. Just 137 of the featherweight, 80-horsepower repli-racers landed here that year, but they had an immediate and forceful impact.

This Ducati 900SS has been restored completely with gorgeous paintwork.

From the seller:

1977 Ducati Super Sport

You should know that I am a serious collector, with a large and important motorcycle collection. I decided to sell some of the most valuable motorcycles in the collection. These motorcycles represent some of the most iconic motorcycles of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Those motorcycles are now being offered up for sale one by one. These motorcycles were targeted by me for adding to my collection many years ago when the best of the best were available and that is exactly what I purchased.

In general, I do believe super rare Italian motorcycle of the 1970s and 1980s are the future Ferrari of motorcycle collecting. We all know what has happened to Ferrari.

It doesn’t take much introduction to talk about a 1977 Ducati 900 SS. They seldom come up for sale and when they do they generally look like they have been ridden hard and put away wet.

This particular bike was restored in Chicago and definitely under the supervision of the famous Dr. Desmo. It is kept on a trickle charger and exercised regularly during the warm weather. Restored to perfection and still makes an outstanding presence and performance at any show and is equally prepared to go on any extended ride and tour at a moment’s notice.

We all know what’s happened to the prices of the Ducati 750 SS’s and the 900 SS’s are not far behind. If you want the best just take a look at the pictures of this bike. You will see that it is the best of the best and then some. If you want technical information about the bike just check the Internet. It is loaded with that and plenty of road tests shortly after the bike was introduced to the public. As I have mentioned in some of the other bike ads for bikes coming out of our collection there is not question that the 900SS is the Ferrari of the future for motorcycles.

This bike is always kept in climate controlled storage and kept on a trickle charger and ready for a 500-mile trip on a moment’s notice. Check out the pictures and you will be impressed!

Most everyone would agree that the 750SS and the 900SS are the epitome of motorcycle design.

I would suggest that you check out the other rare cycles that I am offering for sale by clicking on “other items for sale” in the upper right corner to see the other bikes being offered from my collection.

Prefer phone calls 847-774-4857

Thanks for looking at one of the best!

Given its rarity, condition and position as the spiritual birth of the American Ducati market, you’re not going to get this one for a steal. But the cash outlay will well be worth it to have this gem in your collection.

Ducati November 19, 2018 posted by Aaron

Featured Listing: 1993 Ducati 900 Superlight #776

Update: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

The 1993 Ducati 900SS Superlight came rolling out of Bologna ready to rumble, with lightened frame rails, a single-seat tail section sporting a big, brash number plate and a production number just shy of 1,000, which meant only the most devoted Ducatisti got their hands on one. Two years before Hunter Thompson’s Sausage Creature, the 900SS/SP, broke cover, this was the ultimate iteration of the machine.

By modern standards, the 900SS is kind of poky — you could keep up with one on an SV650 without a Herculean effort — but this 1993 Ducati 900SS Superlight has been treated to a big-bore engine rebuild by Vee Two in Australia, netting 944cc. The big jugs have been augmented with a set of Keihin FCR39 flatslides from Sudco, and the stock upswept exhaust was switched out for a set of Fast by Ferraci high pipes.

On top of the engine mods, the bike has a Holeshot quick shifter, a trick swingarm that was made by JMC and is now unobtanium (JMC is no longer in business), and one-piece Marvic magnesium wheels. The original two-piece Marvics will come with it. If you are looking for an exclusive, sorted, fast-as-it-can-be 900, look no further.

From the eBay listing:

1993 Ducati 900 Superlight #776, 3 owners since new, 13,254 miles. Originally sold new by Letko Cycles in Kansas City on 8/29/1992 for $10,479.

While this motorcycle has many upgrades, the 944cc big bore motor built and installed in 2001 is hands down its best and most expensive feature. The original owner spent over $7000, most of it with Vee Two in Australia, to create a power plant that has almost endless torque and horsepower delivery. Receipts are included for nearly all of these parts:

Millenium Technologies bored and plated cylinders

Vee Two: 94mm pistons, steel connecting rods, Vee Two head featuring 43mm inlet valves, 38mm exhaust valves, intake & exhaust cams and adjustable cam pulleys, balanced crank, primary gears, clutch basket.

Keihin 39mm flat slide carburetors

Fast by Ferracci carbon fiber high pipes

California Cycleworks Dyna Coils ignition coils

Barnett Clutch kit

Pro Italia clutch slave cylinder

Holeshot quick shifter

Stainless braided clutch and brake lines

Corbin seat

Speedy Moto adjustable clip ons with 3” risers. Spare set of Pro Italia sport bars also included.

Stock and Pro Italia rear sets. (Stock rear sets currently fitted)

JMC aluminum swingarm with elliptical chain adjustment

Marvic Streamline 1-piece Magnesium wheels (6” rear) with new 120 front/180 rear Pirelli Diablo Supersports. Original Ducati Marvic 2 piece aluminum/Magnesium wheels also included.

New Renthal 39T aluminum rear sprocket

Refinished carbon fiber front and rear fenders. Carbon rear mudguard.

New Motobatt MB16AU glass mat battery

Fresh oil, belt, valve adjustment service and carburetor rebuild by Scott Waters at Motoservizio in Signal Hill, California

I am the 3rd owner of this bike and have nearly every receipt starting from the original Bill of Sale. This is my second 900 Superlight (former owner of #712) and thought I would never sell this one. But a busy work and family schedule, plus a garage with other toys gathering dust, is a clear sign that it’s time for someone else to become the caretaker of #776. It is truly a magnificent vintage machine to ride, period correct with its modifications. If you love the now “vintage” Ducati sport bikes of the 1990s (916, Monster, etc) this is one you must experience. It is a joy to ride leisurely, always mindful that it’s a 25 year old machine, not a modern superbike. Yet a healthy twist of the throttle rockets it forward. So now I’m testing the waters to see if there’s another person immersed in their own mid-life crisis, collecting the artifacts of his youth. If so, he needs this machine.

For $12,000, this stylish piece of Italian sportbike lore is begging to be aimed at the twistiest road you can find and let loose. Sure, you aren’t gonna be slicing inside R1s at the next track day, but there is little joy like piloting such a well-built machine with no agenda but to enjoy yourself.

Featured Listing: 1993 Ducati 900 Superlight #776

Ducati November 9, 2018 posted by Aaron

Expensive Exclusivity: 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE

Ducati paid Paul Smart less than a grand to ride their newly-minted 750SS to victory in the 1972 Imola 200, which is insane value for money when you consider that that one race would solidify Smart’s reputation as a racer and give Ducati’s new Desmos the street cred they needed to thrive. The brand and Smart parted company shortly thereafter, finally reuniting 34 years later for a run of 1,000 special-edition bikes.

2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE for sale on eBay

Thus, the 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE. The bikes were, like the MH900e before them, a very special chassis hung around Ducati’s vaunted 900cc air-cooled twin. The bikes wore gorgeous silver bodywork over an aquamarine trellis frame — not Ducati’s standard fare, but part of what made Smart’s 1972 mount stand out. This specimen has clocked 10,000 miles, and shows some signs of use and handling. It is still in excellent shape, but it is not a spotless museum-condition bike. It factory-option Termignoni pipes and the accompanying ECU upgrade, and has a small army of aftermarket parts. All the original pieces come with the bike.

From the eBay listing:

Up for sale is a 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE. This motorcycle is extremely rare (2000 worldwide) and is a true work of art.

This motorcycle has been meticulously maintained and taken care of. The bike is hand cleaned after every ride without the use of water which is done to prevent any rusting and damage to electrical components.

The major “Desmo service” was done at 7411 miles and the oil has been changed 3 times since then (every one thousand miles). Only high quality oil is used, which is Motul 300V 15W50.

The Ohlins front forks were serviced last year and had the updated fork seals installed.

As for aftermarket parts, the motorcycle has a fender eliminator/tail tidy kit by Motobox USA, speedy moto frame sliders, open clutch cover, aftermarket pressure plate, springs, spring retaining caps, supersprox front and rear sprockets and new chain.

The motorcycle had the factory option slip on exhaust with ecu.

With the purchase of this motorcycle, I will include the original parts I removed when adding the aftermarket parts.

On a motorcycle that has over 10 thousand miles, there are some paint chips and normal wear as expected.

The only major blemish is on the exhaust which was due to a tool drawer opening on its own and hitting the exhaust.

Having that said, the motorcycle has never been dropped or been in an accident.

Other than that, this motorcycle is in great condition and is a true pleasure to ride. The bike has always been garaged and covered with a Ducati performance dust cover.

If you have any questions, please send me a message and I will be happy to answer them.

This auction has NO RESERVE!

Happy bidding!

At $22,000, this PS1000LE is certainly pushing the upper echelon of what nice examples are going for. With their scarcity, good looks and model-specific pieces, this could be a harbinger of the direction these machines are going.

Expensive Exclusivity: 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE

Ducati October 26, 2018 posted by Aaron

Reserve Met: 565-mile 2000 Ducati MH900e

Sixteen years after Ducati’s original run of bikes celebrating Mike Hailwood’s return to form at the 1978 Isle of Man TT, Bologna kicked out a Pierre Terblanche-penned update to the much-lauded MHR900. The MH900e, where ‘e’ stands for evoluzione, was a much more exclusive machine than the original MHR900, with just 2,000 rolling off the line between 2000 and 2002. Though the bike had a relatively sedate 75-horsepower air-cooled v-twin, the frame, suspension and bodywork were all one-offs, from the gorgeously sculpted bikini fairing, tank, tail and exhaust to the steel trellis frame and swingarm.

2000 Ducati MH900e for sale on eBay

To up the exclusivity, Ducati sold the bikes directly to customers over an Internet order form which opened at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2000. The first 1,000 sold in 31 minutes. By 2000 standards, the idea was dazzlingly futuristic. Especially since half the world still thought the stroke of midnight would mean the world’s computers would meltdown and send us back to the Stone Age.

This 2000 Ducati MH900e has been ridden enough to prove that it does actually run, and just barely enough to have been enjoyed a couple times. Aside from that, it has been a display piece, and has the pristine bodywork to prove it. The seller gives precious few details beyond the pictures.

From the eBay listing:

This motorcycle is For Sale only!!
Its in perfect condition only has 565 miles just serviced all original. Museum Quality and one of a 2,000 made. for more info just leave a message and i will get back to you.

The reserve appears to be met at $15,000, which is what Ducati commanded for the bikes originally. We’re sure that won’t be the end of the line for this rare and special Duc.

Reserve Met: 565-mile 2000 Ducati MH900e

Ducati October 17, 2018 posted by Aaron

Big money: Virgin 1985 Ducati MHR Mille

To celebrate Mike Hailwood’s stunning 1978 win at the Isle of Man TT, Ducati wrapped special tricolore bodywork around a bevel-head 900SS and cranked out one of the first true race replicas, and inadvertently launched a machine that would carry them more than halfway through the 1980s.

1985 Ducati MHR Mille for sale on eBay

This 1985 Ducati MHR Mille is a very late 1,000 cc example, from the final run of bikes that Cagiva authorized. It is available in Australia, and has accumulated just two kilometers in its 33 years. The sellers say the battery has never been connected and the bike has never been fired, so we have to assume that those miles are from moving it from display to display.

As you’d expect, the paint and bodywork are immaculate, and some of the rubber pieces that avoided direct exposure even look brand new. Its only major flaw appears to be turn signals that have been taped on after the original rubber mounts bit the dust.

From the eBay listing:

Ducati MHR 1000 1985

New condition

As per photos

Ducati Mark Hailwood Replica Mile 1985

Last and arguably the best of the legendary bevels. This motorcycle is in immaculate condition, new from a private museum collection. Never has been started nor has the battery ever been connected.

An extremely hard motorbike to find in this condition. The bike has 2km on the odometer, same as our Brand new Ducati F1. (See other ad)

All original from rolling out of the shop in 1985, original tyres, oil filter, battery ect.

The rubber in the indicators has perished and some of the indicators are taped onto the bike.

Motorbike turns over, we have not started the motorbike. Will be sold how we got it.

Will suit a collector

Can and will transport overseas. So please don’t hesitate to contact me with freight inquiries.

We are open to package deals with the new Ducati F1 as well

Will probably never see the same bike in
this condition. Don’t miss out with this investment

Can assist with freight/finance if needed

LOCATED IN AUSTRALIA BUT CAN FREIGHT TO WHERE EVER

Please note that we will need to be payed in AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS

PLEASE SEE EXTRA PHOTOS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/Centrepointwholesale/

Despite its age by 1985, the bike produced an impressive 75 horsepower and knocked on 140 mph. Its performance numbers soon would be eclipsed by Ducati’s Desmoquattro bikes, which were to break cover two years after the MHRs went out of production.

The sellers have tailored their $60,000 U.S. asking price to the rarity of the bike and the fact that it has never been moved under its own power. The engine turns over, they say, but they have made no attempt to start it. By this point, that likely relegates the bike to permanent museum piece status.

Ducati May 2, 2018 posted by Tad Diemer

One Owner: 1993 Ducati Superlight for Sale

Prior to and even during the era of the 916, Ducati still needed to shift their relatively slow, old-tech 900SS. The 916 obviously grabbed headlines, handled like it was on the proverbial rails, and looked like sex. But it was also prohibitively expensive for the plebs to buy and especially to maintain, hideously uncomfortable for regular riding, and an all-around experts-only machine. The 900SS, on the other hand, was the everyman exotic, a real Ducati, but one that was based on slightly outdated technology. Today’s Superlight helped stimulate a bit of fresh interest in the working-man’s Italian sportbike by adding a bit of style, lightness, and shockingly yellow paint.

The fact that it’s down a bit on straight-line performance doesn’t mean it’s a bad bike though, far from it. And “outdated technology” also means “simpler to maintain.” Changing Ducati’s toothed rubber cam-drive belts is a two-year or 12,000 mile service, whichever comes first. But the procedure is pretty straightforward and can be done by any competent mechanic. The valves on the two-valve engine aren’t all that tricky either and the lack of liquid-cooling and the associated hoses and bracketry mean access isn’t all that difficult. That is more work than a Japanese sportbike of the same period, but no one buys a now-classic sportbike thinking it won’t need a bit of work, and at least here that work is pretty simple to do.

The Superlight was basically a 900SS with fully-adjustable suspension, a solo tail, open clutch, upswept exhausts pipes that increased cornering clearance, lightweight composite Marvic wheels with a distinctive polished rim, and the critically important numbered plaque on the triple clamp: just 861 were sold in 1993 so these are very rare, if not all that high-performance. Obviously, red is the traditional, and often preferred color for Ducatis, but it seems a shame that more aren’t painted yellow like this example, since very, very few motorcycles look good in yellow. The handling of the 900SS was never in doubt, and the older Super Sport has much more comfortable ergonomics than the admittedly extreme 916. Just fit a more supportive Corbin saddle, throw on a backpack, and head out for a long day of riding, without concern that you’ll need to down half a bottle of ibuprofen when you get back.

If eyeball-squashing acceleration is the only metric by which you judge a motorcycle, you’re going to hate this bike. If you think a 170hp bike just isn’t fast enough, this isn’t your machine. But there’s a reason that the two-valve, air-and-oil-cooled Pantah in its various iterations gets mentioned on every “best motorcycle engine ever” list: that sucker has character. I’m biased here: I think it’s the best-sounding motorcycle engine of all time, especially with a bit of extra boom liberated by some carbon-fiber cans. But it also just has a great, punchy midrange that just kind of slings you forward after each shift. The 70-75 horses a good 900 makes at the rear wheel may not sound like much on paper, but it’s plenty to whip you along a canyon road and legions of Ducati fans aren’t just buying these because of some perceived mystique. I mean, of course some of them are just buying a name, the idea, but the same is probably true of the majority of motorcyclists in one way or another.

This collector bike is more of a rider, though: it’s a little scruffy, some of the panels have fatigue cracks around their mounting points, and it generally needs some attention to the details. But if the mechanical bits are all in good working order, you can do a bit of a rolling-restoration on it while enjoying the sound and feel of your vintage-ish Ducati. Starting bid is about half what a cleaner, lower-mileage Superlight might sell for, so if you’re handy with the wrenches, this might be a great way to pick up an appreciating classic for cheap.

From the original eBay listing: 1993 Ducati Superlight for Sale

I’m the original and only owner. The Superlight was bought new in Austin, Texas and has a clear title. The yellow color was only available in the US. I’m a mechanical engineer and performed all routine maintenance myself. The bike has never been crashed. It is all original except the muffler brackets broke and were replaced and the rear wheel fatigued and was replaced with an appropriate Ducati Monster rear wheel. The bike is in fantastic condition with only some spider cracks in the body work in the usual places as shown in the pics. New Michelin tires, seat and windshield are in great shape, 26,041 miles. Comes with pictured rear stand. Runs, rides great.. You won’t be disappointed.

Miles aren’t as low as some other examples we’ve seen, but aren’t anything to worry about: well-maintained Pantah engines can triple this mileage with ease. Just change the belts and adjust the valves, top off with oil occasionally between changes if the level gets low, and enjoy. The weak spots are well-known and relatively simple to sort out, parts to maintain them are widely available, and most everything on the Superlight is shared with the more common SS-SP and SS-CR versions. Aside from those Marvic wheels of course. It’s a shame the rear wheel isn’t the correct item, but with no takers so far at the $4995 opening bid, I expect this will be on the cheap side for a Superlight. Grab this one, pocket the savings, and prowl eBay for a matching rear.

-tad

One Owner: 1993 Ducati Superlight for Sale

Sport Bikes For Sale April 23, 2018 posted by Mike

Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale – April 21st!

Update 4.23.2018: We’ve updated most of the listings below with their sale prices, and estimates from Bonhams were very close in most cases. Their showcase pieces did very well also. From Bonhams:

Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale took place this weekend (21 and 22 April) at the International Classic MotorCycle Show and saw an incredible 92% of lots sold, achieving a total of £3,376,045 (US $4,708,029).

Several world records were broken, including the 1970 Clymer Münch 1,177cc TTS ‘Mammoth’ which achieved a staggering £154,940 and the 1973 MV Agusta 750S which realized £96,700, the highest prices ever achieved for these models at auction.

Congratulations to Bonhams on a great sale and to all the new owners!

-dc

For those lucky enough to be in attendance at the Staffordshire County Showgrounds in Stratford, UK, there will be an amazing collection of motorcycles passing over the auction block courtesy of Bonhams. But fear not: you need not be in attendance in order to participate in the auction. And just so you don’t miss out on any of the key lots going up for sale, RSBFS is here to help you navigate through the drool-worthy articles on hand. Register early, and bid with confidence!

For the rest of us, let us know what you think of the sale and estimates in the comments below.

– RSBFS Team

1998 Ducati 916 SPS – This 4,000 mile machine has a Bonhams estimate of $21,000 – $27,000 USD. SOLD – US$ 20,196 inc. premium

1990 Ducati 851 SP2 by NCR – Never been raced, but chock full of NCR parts. Bonhams estimate: US $39,000 – $49,000 USD. SOLD – US$ 27,631 inc. premium

1989 Honda VFR750R Type RC30 – this works Honda is an Isle of Man TT and Macau Grand Prix veteran. Bonhams estimate: US$ 35,000 – 49,000. SOLD – US$ 40,393 inc. premium

1987 Ducati 851 – Alan Cathcart’s personal machine since new, this tri colore beauty has a Bonhams estimate of $49,000 – $63,000 USD

1998 Ducati 916 Senna III – This low mileage 916 is number 281 of 300. Bonhams estimate: $14,000 – $17,000 USD. SOLD – US$ 22,620 inc. premium

1998 Ducati 916 SPS – With a documented history (including complete engine rebuild) this SPS has a Bonhams estimate of $18,000 – $24,000 USD.

1999 Ducati 996 SPS2 – Only 150 examples of this Euro-spec model were built. Bonhams estimate: $13,000 – $17,000 USD. SOLD – US$ 13,733 inc. premium

1986 Ducati 400 F3 – With only 327 kilometers showing, this late Cagiva-era Ducati has a Bonhams estimate of $5,600 – $8,400. SOLD – US$ 5,655 inc. premium

2000 MV Agusta 750cc F4 S – This ‘1+1’ Biposto example of the astounding F4 lineup has a Bonhams estimate of $9,800 – 13,000. SOLD – US$ 10,987 inc. premium

1990 Suzuki GSX-R750L ‘Slingshot’ – Presented as virtually new after an extensive restoration, this bike will be sold at No Reserve. Bonhmas estimate: $4,900 – 6,300. SOLD – US$ 6,947 inc. premium

1988 Honda VFR400R Type NC21 – A rare oddity in the US, this baby RC30 shows approximately 23,000 miles. Bonhams estimate: $3,100 – $3,900. SOLD US$ 4,524 inc. premium

1978 BMW 980cc R100RS ‘Krauser’ – Though rather high mileage at 80k+, this looks well looked after. Bonhams estimate: US$ 7,100 – 11,000. SOLD – US$ 7,755 inc. premium

1971 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport ‘Telaio Rosso’ – Recently restored, previous magazine tester. Bonhams estimate: US$ 34,000 – 42,000. SOLD US$ 43,625 inc. premium

1976 Ducati 900SS – Used in the late 70’s in amateur racing, it was later returned to road duty but includes many spares. Bonhams estimate: US$ 35,000 – 45,000. SOLD – US$ 37,162 inc. premium

1977 Benelli 750cc Sei – odometer shows 13k KMs, includes receipts. Bonhams estimate: US$ 11,000 – 17,000. SOLD – US$ 22,620 inc. premium

1979 Honda CBX1000Z – Imported to the UK via Canada in 1982. Includes receipts and Delkevic exhaust system. Bonhams estimate: US$ 14,000 – 20,000. SOLD – US$ 15,349 inc. premium

1983 Suzuki GSX1100 Katana – Shows nearly 25k miles and includes some receipts. Bonhams estimate: US$ 7,100 – 11,000. SOLD – US$ 12,926 inc. premium

1979 Suzuki GS1000 – No mention of Wes Cooley, is it a clone? Bonhams estimate: US$ 6,400 – 9,200. SOLD – US$ 11,310 inc. premium

1970 Clymer Münch 1,177cc TTS ‘Mammoth’ – One of the featured lots of the Stafford auction. Completely restored. Bonhams estimate: US$ 110,000 – 140,000. SOLD – US$ 217,692 inc. premium

1973 MV Agusta 750S – Another featured lot at the Stafford sale and noted as one of the most desirable of post-war motorcycles. Bonhams estimate: US$ 99,000 – 130,000. SOLD – US$ 135,864 inc. premium

1957 F.B. Mondial 250cc DOHC Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle – World Championship and Isle of Man TT-winning motorcycle of great historical and technical interest. Offered with assorted correspondence relating to its provenance. Bonhams estimate: US$ 110,000 – 170,000. SOLD – US$ 129,569 inc. premium

Honda 250cc RC163 Grand Prix Replica – The 250cc inline four gem was a championship winner, this replica is suitable for parades or vintage racing. Bonham’s estimate: $20,000 – $25,000

1974 AMF Harley-Davidson 250cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle – This Aermacchi-designed two-stroke is unrestored and was in the stable of the Cesena Motorcycle Club before being on display at the Rimini Motorcycle museum for the past 30 years. Bonham’s estimate – $17,000 – $21,000. SOLD – US$ 17,773 inc. premium

Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale – April 21st!

Ducati January 22, 2018 posted by Tad Diemer

Time Capsule: 1994 Ducati Monster M900 with Just 931 Miles for Sale!

It’s arguable whether or not Ducati’s iconic Monster actually started the naked bike craze. Certainly, the Honda Hawk GT and CB-1 beat it to market by more than a couple years, but were relative failures and certainly didn’t spark the public’s imagination in the same way: being first to market doesn’t really mean much if you’re so far ahead of the curve that no one buys your innovative product. And Triumph introduced their Speed Triple just a year or so later and that’s been a popular class benchmark for years now. But you can’t really dispute that the Monster saved Ducati from financial ruin and has remained one of their best-selling, most accessible models. From the start, it managed to be enough of an authentic Ducati to capture the company’s racing mystique, while being cost-effective enough to generate good profits for the eternally cash-starved company.

The secret? This iconic Italian motorcycle is a parts-bin lash-up: basically, the only new parts were the gas tank, the seat, and the plastic instrument surround. Everything else was sitting right there on the shelf. The frame? From the 888, obviously a terrific place to start. The engine? Ducati’s air and oil-cooled, two-valve v-twin with a six-speed gearbox and dry clutch pulled straight from the 900SS. The suspension and wheels were from the base model 900SS, with fairly crude, non-adjustable forks up front, but it all worked fine for the bike’s mission and kept costs down. It didn’t even come with a tachometer at first, just the big, white-faced Veglia speedometer from the 900SS and a bank of giant, square idiot lights.

The lack of a tachometer might seem like a serious oversight but, frankly, while the 900SS engine may be redlined at 9,000 rpm, it runs out of puff much earlier, especially in the carbureted form seen here, so there’s really no need to wind it out towards the hypothetical redline to make the most of the bike’s claimed 75 hp. Even as late as the Dual-Spark 1100, Ducati’s two-valve twin has always been about the midrange, and that suits the Monster’s “sexy urban hooligan” image to a T. Just be careful or your carefully-cultivated sexy urban hooligan image may take a hit when you try to pull a quick u-turn and run afoul of the bike’s shockingly limited steering lock. Stock gearing was a bit tall for actual urban riding, but is easily changed if that’s where you spend most of your time.

The Monster is a blast to squirt from stoplight to stoplight, and the Brembo brakes were pretty much industry standard at the time and haul the bike down quickly, given the bike’s 407lb dry weight. Of course, the bike’s parts-bin nature meant upgrades were sitting down at your local Ducati dealer or at the breaker’s yard: the fully-adjustable rear shock from the 851 bolts right into place, adjustable forks from the SS/SP slide into the triple clamps with no fuss and even use the stock brakes and front wheel. Big-bore and high-compression kits exist to take your Monster to a fire-breathing 90hp and beyond, although it’s not really going to give anything modern a hard time and you’ll impact reliability. And of course in the years following the bike’s introduction, an entire aftermarket industry sprang up to create a wealth of bolt-ons and dodads and carbon-fiber farkles to make your Monster one-of-a-kind.

All of which makes the Monster sort of like an Italian Harley-Davidson Sportster, but 2/3 the weight and less likely to ground out at the first sign of a corner.

From the original eBay listing: 1994 Ducati Monster M900 for Sale

This is it. Where it all started for the Monster Era. 1994 was the very first year for the Monster in the USA and i am proud to present this amazing piece of Ducati history for auction today. This is an all original 1994 Ducati Monster 900 with 931 ORIGINAL miles on it. Yes, you read that right. 931 miles. This is an amazing machine that has been extremely well preserved and retains all of its originality down to the original Michelin M89 Tires with no dry rot! I am the second owner of this bike, however, it was never titled in my name so it is technically an original 1 owner bike. I have a clean NYS title in the original owners name with the mileage on the title as 00002. I have some great original documentation on the bike including the original Ducati owners identification card and Ducati limited warenty for street motorcycles paperwork. Papers you received when purchasing the bike new. I also have the original mirrors that will go with the bike in the sale as well as another set of factory exhaust cans i aquired that are brand new originals. Two original Ducati Keys as well. This bike still retains the original oil from Ducati! As you can see the original exhaust cans and even the big licence plate bracket that everyone removed back then, remains. This is truly a collector piece for anyone looking to have in their motorcycle collection. With that said, this machine can be ridden as well. The bike runs absolutely flawless. I own a motorcycle repair shop here on Long Island and personally own and did the carb service on this machine. Carbs were removed, cleaned in an carburetor acid bath and fully rebuilt with all new parts I.E. float needles, gaskets, o-rings, float bowl gaskets etc. Fuel tank does not have a drop of rust in it anywhere as this bike has been stored in a heat controlled area since new. If someone purchases the bike locally and chooses to ride this machine, i would love to see the bike come back to my shop for any service work. The paint on the bike i would say is a 9.5 out of 10. Giving the .5 to two extremely small nicks all the way at the front of the fuel tank as seen in pic. Some touch up paint and you wouldn’t notice. There is also come scratches on both left and right side foot rest brackets i can only assume is either from someone transporting the bike and it got scratched from incorectly strapping it down or the original owner had something on his boots that scratched it up. Never the less, with some paint, it can def be repaired/touched up. Just want to be 100%. Other then that, as you can see, the bike is flawless and retains all of its original components. Factory EVERYTHING. Factory tool kit is under the seat as well. I can honestly say i challenge anyone to find another first year M900 monster in this color combo, with this mileage and condition anywhere in the world. I feel you will be hard pressed to find another and that owning this machine is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will not come around again. These bikes are just not around anymore and if you do see one, it has a ton of miles on it and is most likely run down. With 931 miles on it, its a true collectors piece and will be as close to a new bike as you will get. I have no problems with a local sale and anyone that would like to come see it personally is absolutely welcome to do so. I also have no problems shipping the bike. It will be the buyers responsibility to arrange/pay with shipping but i will help with this any way that i possibly can. Please, if you aren’t fully prepared to purchase, do not have the money on hand, or any other issues pertaining to an easy smooth sale, please refrain from continuing with my auction. Anyone truly interested in owning this motorcycle is welcome to call me directly at 631-872-5009. My name is Jay. This is a land line number so please do not text. I have tons of pics so if there is something you specifically want to see, please let me know. Starting bid will be $1.00, so bid to win! Buyer will be responsible for a $200.00 non-refundable deposit via pay pal after the sale of the bike. The remaining balance must be made by either bank wire transfer or cash in hand. The machine will not leave my possession until funds are cleared or cash in my hand. Whoever purchases this bike is getting a true original historical piece that will only go up in value. A true investment if you will. I do not have to sell it, but unfortunately i have a few to many toys and not enough space.

I also have a set of original FG Italy front and rear stands that are period correct for this bike that i am open to selling to the winner of the bike if he/she wants them. The rear can be seen in pic. They will NOT be included in this auction.

Thank you and happy bidding!

So obviously, you may be thinking, “Yeah, the Monster may have saved Ducati from being a motorcycling footnote, but these things are freaking everywhere!” And they are. But what we’re looking at here is probably one of most pristine examples in existence, with just 931 miles on the odometer, in relatively unusual metallic black. Bidding seems stalled out at $6,000 with the reserve not met. That’s obviously very high for a Monster, but a pretty fair price for a classic, practical roadster, especially one that was featured in the Guggenheim’s Art of the Motorcycle exhibit.

-tad