Posts by tag: collectible

Ducati July 11, 2020 posted by
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Takin’ it to the Streets – 2006 Ducati PS1000LE

Ducati’s SportClassic collection continues to hit it out of the park even 14 years on.  Here’s a Paul Smart Limited Edition with just over 10,000 miles and it’s never been washed.*

2006 Ducati PS1000LE Limited Edition

Despite its air-cooled retro looks, the SportClassic used Ducati’s latest dual-spark fuel injected 992, with 92 hp at the crank.  The classic trellis frame is finished in teal metallic, to recall Paul Smart’s 1974 racer.  Thoroughly modern Öhlins forks and monoshock are aboard, along with a steering damper.  One can only imagine how late the braking could have been at Imola with the commemorative’s 320mm Brembo stoppers.  The standard fairing for the PS1000LE was a supersport upper-only, asking extra $$$ for the number 16 lowers.

This Long Island native has well under 1,000 miles per year, and pretty much defines immaculate.  Mods appear limited to a tail-ectomy, nice Terminoni megaphones, and EVR clutch and cover.  The owner asks us to suspend disbelief that something this clean has never been washed, in the eBay auction:

For sale is a clean titled, 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000 Limited Edition. 
The bike has 10,487 miles, has been well cared for and always garaged. 
The bike has been hand cleaned after every ride using waterless methods of cleaning. 
All stock parts that were removed will be included with the sale of the motorcycle. 
I have all keys, key code card, manuals, and original tool kit. 

The Paul Smart edition was limited to 2,000 copies, and though many haven’t been ridden much, their value keeps them visible in the market.  Interest in the SportClassics waned after the initial few years, and though the tooling was retired after 2010, there’s room for at least one in any Ducati fan’s heart if not garage.  The PS1000LE is all about fun, not being well suited for commuting or touring.  This example appears to have been carefully used and ready for more pure sport riding.

-donn

Takin’ it to the Streets – 2006 Ducati PS1000LE
Moto Guzzi May 17, 2020 posted by
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Recent Vintage – 1993 Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000

Early 1990’s, gentleman racer Dr. John Wittner helped Moto Guzzi develop their big V-twin into the racer and GT they knew it could be.  This Colorado example has been updated and maintained by a super-fan, and looks great.

1993 Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000 for sale on eBay

 

Like BMW, Guzzi wanted to breathe 4-valve life into their liter, and found a similar solution with cams mounted high in each cylinder, with timing belts driven off a gear above the crankshaft.  The compact arrangement claimed 95 hp and a healthy 72 ft.-lbs. torque, fuel injected for flexibility around town.  Dr. Wittner provided his chassis expertise in the lighter weight chrom-moly backbone with massive alloy frame connectors.  Adjustable suspension is at both ends, with conventional Marzocchi forks and WP monoshock.  As found on most of its European competitors, 320mm Brembo brakes are however without the usual Guzzi front-rear linkage.  Moto Guzzi tradition stipulates a driveshaft, but the Daytona has a parallelogram arrangement to limit the rear suspension extending under power.

Sounds like the seller is a serial Daytona owner, which almost guarantees one of being “a certain age”.  This one has the sharp Staintune exhaust, impossibly long velocity stacks and just screens over the ends.  Little doubt you can hear the 1000 inhaling with this setup.  Overall condition looks excellent with just a couple of paint chips but new rubber, belts, brake pads and battery.  From the eBay auction:

Description:

  • Look at the photos – I disassembled the bike over the winter and cleaned and detailed chassis.
  • Recently changed timing belts – see photos
  • RH cylinder head had a lube issue and removed head and sent to famous Moe at Cycle Garden to improve oil passage and new valve seat and valves
  • Changed Engine oil with Motul (20/50)
  • Brand new Michelin Pilot Radial tires:
    • F: 120/70ZR17
    • R: 160/60ZR17
  • New NGK D9REA spark plugs
  • Yuasa battery in 2019 (with trickle charger harness)
  • New Front Brake Pads: Pagid HH
  • Powder coated factory wheels – white (OEM color).
  • New / checked wheel bearing

What comes with the bike?

  • Clean and clear title (in my company’s name.)
  • 2 keys and one spare Guzzi blank.
  • Rare repair manual for Daytona
  • Rare repair manual for the MGS-01 (helpful)
  • Receipts and documentation
  • Pit-stand; awkward to ship and you will have to pay for shipping or pick it up in person.  

Condition:

  • This is a very very nice Moto Guzzi Daytona!
  • Everything works as it should: choke, turn signal, horn, low beam, high beam, etc.
  • Never dropped!
  • It shows extremely well and turns heads and sounds amazing.
  • There are a few paint chips that I have photographed, and I will be happy to send you additional photographs.
  • There is hairline crack by one of the screws that holds OEM wind screen that has been there forever and is not changing.
  • Left side mirror – small de-silvering on the edge (not uncommon)
  • I would recommend to the winner of auction to renew brake fluid.

While never in serious competition with less reverential solutions, the Daytona 1000 was a smashing endcap to the DeTomaso years and a stepping stone to the V10 era.  Though it couldn’t be termed a lightweight, as a GT the handling got applause from journalists and fans.  This example is almost curated by a Daytona fanatic.  With four days to go the bid is $12K but hasn’t met the reserve, it’ll be interesting to see where it’s set.

-donn

Recent Vintage – 1993 Moto Guzzi Daytona 1000
Honda May 8, 2020 posted by
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Unequivocal – 1990 Honda VFR750R / RC30

Having graduated from nascent collectible to crazy-to-ride museum piece, Honda’s pre-eminent VFR750R / RC30 continues to appear for auction with exotic car-level reserves.  This Michigan example appears in a collector’s warehouse and looks superb.

1990 Honda VFR750R / RC30 for sale on eBay

Sharing V-4 engine architecture with the roadgoing VFR750F, the -R was mostly different inside the cases and pushed 118 ponies.  Titanium connecting rods greatly reduced rotating mass and defined unobtanium.  Crank and cams were geared to provide a power pulse every 360 degrees, improving rideability at racing rpms.  The all alloy chassis and peeks out behind the fiberglass fairing, holding 41mm right-side-up forks and ELF’s single-sided swingarm.  Trailing throttle torque was tamed by the factory slipper clutch.  Single seat and five gallon alloy fuel tank had their focus on the race course.

Said to be hosted by only its second owner, this RC30 looks outstanding and reports 7,037 miles.  If the new owner elects to ride there will be time to go over any needed repairs and recent maintenance, but they aren’t discussed in the eBay auction:

  • One of the modern era’s few immediately collectible classics
  • The RC30 was created for one reason – to win the World Superbike Championship! 
  • The seller is the second owner of the bike
  • First owner was Nick Helyer who purchased it in Orlando, FL in 1990
  • Nick was a British gentleman that apparently did some WEC racing in the late 1970s, early 1980s
  • The bike notably includes the owner’s manual, tool kit and two keys

Success came early and often to the RC30, taking the two first Superbike World Championships under Fred Merkel, as well as Formula TT wins with Joey Dunlop and Carl Fogarty aboard.  Not to mention a handful of World Endurance Championship wins and AMA Superbike victories.  Though this is “merely” the streetable VFR750R, it would make a singular afternoon.  Hopefully the next custodian will be able to arrange it.

-donn

Unequivocal – 1990 Honda VFR750R / RC30
Yamaha May 1, 2020 posted by
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Formation Flight – 1985 Yamaha RZ500 with 4,600 miles !

With a pair of 250cc engines driving a common output shaft providing two power strokes on every revolution, Yamaha’s RZ500 pushed nearly 200 hp per liter, even in street trim.  This sharp Michigan example has been in storage but was recently freshened up for riding season.

1985 Yamaha RZ500 for sale on eBay

The RZ’s engine is almost a cube, with four 26mm Mikuni carburetors looking out to the side-mounted airboxes from the valley of the 50-degree V.  Individual expansion chambers wend their way back, with the upper cylinders’ pipes tucked into the seat fairing.  88 hp was available at a wailing 9,500 rpm, with the torque band was stretched by the YPVS power valve system.  The chassis was steel tubing and the forks were right-side-up, though the monoshock was underneath the engine to make room for the exhausts.

With just over 4,600 miles, this RZ had to be in storage before the present owner.  Just some stress cracking on the chin scoop is apparent, with none of the usual garage rash and corrosion.  The seller waited seven years to re-commission it for the road, and has the following comments in the eBay auction:

New Battery
New Tires
New Chain
New Wheel Bearings
New Tapered steering head bearings
Changed transmission Oil
Cleaned float bowls on carbs
New Shut off valve for fuel
New front Brake Pads
Amsoil Dominator Synthetic injector oil
New fork seals, Race tech Springs, Gold valves, Modified damper rods (per Race Tech) 20 wt oil
With modifying damper rods the Anti Dive units are inactive (left them for stock appearance)
 
This is a very nice mostly all Original RZ, Starts first kick most every time hot or cold, shifts and clutches fine, pulls all the way to redline.
 
All lights work, horn, blinkers, brake light, gauge lights

The RZ500 waited more than 10 years to hit the streets after the YZR500 race machine’s 1973 introduction, but by then the U.S. and a good part of Europe had declared two-strokes unwelcome.  So every RZ500 seen will be a gray market import with limited history, and a KMH speedo with MPH sub-titles.  This one’s about as nice as they come without claims of a collection or museum, and the auction’s at $11K with five days to run.  With recent sales in the low $20’s, a lot of us will just be watching, at least to see where the reserve is set.

-donn

Formation Flight – 1985 Yamaha RZ500 with 4,600 miles !
Ducati March 18, 2020 posted by
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Great Unwashed – 1999 Ducati 996S

Probably the root of more Ducati obsessions than any other bike, the squinting headlights of Massimo Tamburrini’s 1994-2002 masterpiece say ‘Faster’.  This 1999 single seat 996S shows beautifully with just over 3,000 miles.

1999 Ducati 996S #098 for sale on eBay

The increase from 916cc led Ducati to specify a new Weber fuel injection system, and it required dual fuel injectors to achieve its 123 hp.  But the new system could be a bit rich around town, and some owners took to re-programming to disarm the second injector.  Elsewhere, a few things from the base 996 that had been plastic were now carbon, dampers were upgraded to adjustable Showa forks and Öhlins monoshock, and wheels were of course alloy but lighter Marchesini forgings.  The -S was always a monoposto, and not sure if I’ve ever seen anything but red.

This San Diego owner doesn’t tell the ownership history, but it’s clear this 996S has been protected from the garage elves and updated in very good taste.  Comments from the eBay auction:

This 21 year-old is in amazing condition with only 3,017 miles on the clock!  The original date coded Michelins are still on the bike as a testament to it’s condition.  One is dated the 10th week of 98 the other the 52nd.  The bike has never been washed with water, if you look closely in the pictures, all of the original factory grease torque marks are in place!  All of them.  It has always been stored in a climate controlled garage and it is absolutely free from corrosion.  It has been kept upright it’s entire life completely free from ANY blemishes.  At 1,959 miles, the timing belts and a full service was performed at Ducati of Newport Beach.  Currently registered and insured in my name with a clear California title.
This 996S is sporting a few period correct upgrades.  It sounds evil thanks to it’s obligatory open clutch cover, classic Termignoni exhaust and Ultimap chip.  Steel braided lines throughout including brakes, clutch and oil cooler.  Lastly there were a few extra carbon bits added including chain guard, sprocket cover, chin spoiler and license plate holder.  The tank guard on there is magnetic so there is no sticker residue.  I have the original ugly red reflectors that go on the front fender as well. 

While you could just take a spin on those old tires, how would you ever explain it should one come apart ?  Might be good to date the belt service as well, before requesting take-off power.  In a issue of just 200 machines, a 996S is very collectible, but having ridden a nicely updated base 996, the next owner will not want to relegate their new purchase to display without at least one great afternoon.

-donn

Great Unwashed – 1999 Ducati 996S
Honda January 13, 2020 posted by
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One Way or Another – 2004 Honda RC51 / RVT1000R Nicky Hayden Edition

Honda spent mega-$ designing their own V-twin Superbike, but reaped the benefits on both the AMA and WSBK scenes.  This owner has identified the 2004 Nicky Hayden commemorative as the RC51 for the long term, and has kept it beautifully for the next owner.

2004 Honda RC51  RVT1000 Nicky Hayden Edition

for sale on eBay

Similarly to their Superbike nemesis, Honda chose a 90-degree L-twin, and added PGM-FI fuel injection with two injectors per cylinder.  Power and torque were outstanding with 136 hp and 77 ft.-lbs., but the mystery resided in the alloy chassis.  At the ends of the lighter and more rigid frame, 43mm inverted forks and Pro-link monoshock were tuned to keep the 17-inch rubber on the tarmac.  The monoposto fairing wore a facsimile of Nicky’s livery, smaller sponsorship decals and white number areas front and rear.

Clearly an RC51 superfan, the owner’ states it’s his third of the model and is selling because he has another rider.  With just second oil change miles and celebratory paint, it’s a sparkling example without so much as a scuff.  A long but informative video is posted – here –.  From the eBay auction:

2004 Honda RC51 Nicky Hayden replica in absolutely mint condition. This is a 1 owner bike with only 3047 original miles. The condition is 10 of 10 and its all original with the exception of a Yoshimura exhaust, a modification that anyone should make if they own one because nothing quite sounds like a RC51 at revs.

It was Honda’s take on the V-Twin replica racer, beating Ducati at it’s own game with multiple World Superbike Championships (Colin Edwards) and a AMA Championship under the late great Nicky Hayden whom also won the 2006 MotoGP championship with the Honda RC211V.

I’m selling this bike because its the 2nd RC51 in my collection and the other is more a rider so I might as well let someone else enjoy this beautiful bike. Add it to a collection or ride it, either way you can’t lose as you may never find a cleaner one offered for sale.

Hayden won the AMA Superbike crown in 2002, and was ushered into the factory Honda GP team making steady progress toward his 2006 championship.  After his death in a bicycle accident in 2017, the Hayden replica is now a sadder commemorative.  If not the singular superbike claimed by the owner, the RC51 is certainly in a select few, even at Honda with its multitude of winners.  Bidding is quite active and shows over $10,000 with four days left to run.

-donn

One Way or Another – 2004 Honda RC51 / RVT1000R Nicky Hayden Edition
Ducati January 8, 2020 posted by
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CitiSmart – 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE

Arguably the pick of the SportClassic litter, the 2006 Paul Smart Limited Edition sacrificed practicality for the cool of a teal-framed monoposto.  This NYC example has moderate miles but is super clean.

2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE for sale on eBay

Ducati’s air-cooled dual spark engine was originally used in the Monster, but its relatively plumbing-free presentation made it perfect for the vintage looking SportClassics.  92 hp on tap make it more than a design exercise.  The frame color and fairing harken back to the 1972 Imola winner, and spoked wheels ping appropriately.  Appointments are first rate with big 320mm Brembo disks and Öhlins dampers all around.

Despite city life and 10K-plus miles, this PS looks undamaged and clean enough to put right in the garage.  Even the Termignoni megaphones fit the vintage look well, though a quick spritz on the header pipes would do wonders.  From the eBay auction:

The motorcycle has:
-Termignoni slip on exhaust with ECU
-new clutch pressure plate, springs, and cover
-Motobox fender eliminator and tail light
-frame sliders
– aftermarket oil fill plug
***All original parts that were taken off will come with the bike***
The bike has always been garage kept on a battery tender and a Ducati Performance dust cover.
The major Desmo Service had been done at 7,411 miles. 
The bike has had 4 oil changes since then. I used Motul 300v 15w50.

While a low or no-mile example might push the mid-twenties, this auction shows a starting bid of $18K, just above the original MSRP.  Harder to quantify is the total production of just 2,000, and then considering only 500 or so made it to our shores, a pristine example like this might be worth a second look.

-donn

CitiSmart – 2006 Ducati Paul Smart 1000LE
Triumph December 6, 2019 posted by
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Featured Listing – 1998 Triumph T595 with just 2,518 miles !

Triumph entered the battle for sport riders’ hearts and minds in 1997 with their clean-sheet design T595.  The marketing blunder that left casual shoppers thinking it’s a 600 is far in the rear-view and just adds another point of interest for fans.  Seattle Used Bikes presents this slightly used and carefully updated Triumph T595.

1998 Triumph T595 with 2,518 miles!

Triumph built on their success with the T300 engine and produced another triple in the T5, a little torquier and with a scruffier sound than the usual inline four.  High compression (11.2:1) and electronic fuel injection conspired to deliver 130hp and 74 ft.-lbs. torque.  The twin double-tube chassis was all new and inspired confidence with adjustable suspension and excellent Nissin brakes.  The fairing design carved out its own character with dual headlights and Euro parking light, and hard covered pillion.

Seemingly set up for the long run, ten times the mileage would be expected on this T595.  But after Dymag carbon wheels, carbon muffler and ECU update, HeliBar risers, and bar-end mirrors were installed it was ridden only sparingly and looks better than excellent.  Seattle Used Bikes has added all new expendables ( fluids, battery, and tires ) for the next owner, and asks $7,999.  From their – website – :

This beautiful black 1998 Triumph Daytona T595 just arrived on our doorstep last month.  This is another one out of a friends private collection.  As you can see it just has a bit over 2,500 original miles, it was really set up properly when new by Scott Zollars at the Cycle Barn. Check out the carbon fiber Dymag wheels!!  It also has a hard to find, Triumph factory carbon slip on, a remapped ECU, raised HeliBars for added comfort, with CRG bar-end mirrors and upgraded rear suspension link from Attack performance.  We just gave it a fresh service, new fluids, new Dunlop Q3’s tires and battery.  If you are a fan of the early Daytona 955i’s this is probably the nicest one available for sale at this time. Can go back to stock wheels and save $1200.

Despite coming up on 100 years of Triumph cycles, John Bloor’s re-imagined company didn’t have a generation of superbike racing to lean on, and their 955cc family was never going to challenge those makers on the track.  But the T595 and renamed 955i caught quite a following, filling a European-designed niche in the sport market.  This example is practically unused and certainly better than new, and ready for next season.  Contact Seattle Used Bikes on (206) 535-6812 or by email – here -.

-donn

Check out the other Triumph SUB has Featured on RSBFS: 1998 Triumph Daytona Ex Formula Thunder Race Bike! Dave notes that a deal is possible on the pair! -dc

Featured Listing – 1998 Triumph T595 with just 2,518 miles !