Albatross, An offy is an off-license. I don't know if you're an english national as your english is perfect. So if you are, I'm sorry if this is condescending. I think the thread has taken a wrong turn at the very beginning when it was suggested that the bike maybe stolen or you may be misrepresenting the photos you had posted. I'm sure everyone that attends this forum fears having their bike stolen and no body wants to be scammed. You have proven you are the owner of the bike, and I am sorry that you were asked to do that. I hope the values you will now be provided by other forumites will make you happy. May I suggest though, that you may get more out of this motorcycle by keeping it and enjoying it yourself than by selling it for such a low amount. Please forgive the mistrust initially shown to you. I am new here, and have been shown nothing but kindness by the other users. I am sure you are as welcome as I am to participate and I hope you can stick around and enjoy your new Ducati. Tom
This is (probably) what the original bike looked like: Stunning IMHO. As has been pointed out, one of these in perfect and original condition would probably fetch £15000+. This was on display at the Ducati weekend at Silverstone a couple of years ago. For the pedants amongst us, the top bevel covers with the see-through panels on this bike were an aftermarket part I'm pretty sure.
albatross I love the beer.why not have the bike sorted to the point its running and safe? would surely be worth more then. and welcome to the site. oh and the bike looks great I only wish it was mine. ps the beer looks yummy.
Tom, thank you for the explanation! Unfortunately, no, I'm not an English national. My primary tongue is Croatian (thanks for the compliment, I guess reading all those Penguin classics paid off in more ways than I thought they would so I didn't know what an offy is. Figured it must be something (or someone) shady, though. All things considered, there's absolutely nothing to forgive. I could tell right away from reading some of the threads here prior to posting, how kind the members of this place are, which is why I found no trouble at all proving that the bike indeed does belong to me, because having nothing to hide or lie about, I knew all would eventually end well - and I am glad now that it did. Plus I can see why the thread had taken the wrong turn. Seemed odd, me appearing out of the blue with that bike, than my Croatian ad was found and so forth. So no, the bike is definitely not stolen. As to keeping the bike, I was entertaining the thought, but the thing is that I haven't even got a motorcycle driving license, let alone whatever's needed to drive a racing bike, nor do I know how to properly maintain it, so it would just be sitting in this crummy old garage for God knows how long, without me begin able to take even basic care for it - though perhaps if I stick around here for a while longer, I may even learn a thing or two - so I would much rather have someone else who truly appreciate these things enjoy it. And I really could do with the money. . . I have a feeling I might regret selling it later on but right now, I've little choice. That said, selling the bike for whatever low amount someone offers is absolutely out of the question and if nothing decent comes my way, well, then I guess I indeed am stuck with it. Bigredduke, I am looking at the bike posted above and thinking what the heck was it that possessed my father to turn something so beautiful into whatever it is that I got now. I honestly don't recall when was the last time I've seen a bike as beautiful as this. If it really looked like this, I would most definitely be much more inclined to keep it. Still no reply from Ducati but then again, it is sunday. Will keep you informed.
Well I suggest you get a licence pass your test and find out why we are all so passionate about our Ducatis I know you have had to prove it's your bike but I like to think that we all look out for each other and any thing that doesn't look right is questioned even though it maybe frustrating. Now you will get loads of input
Albatross, get in contact with these two places, to get an idea of value. It may be worth getting it over here for professional apraisal and for ease of selling. Although Pete has given a fair assesment. Baines Racing Cycle Shop and Ducati Specialists http://www.madeinitalymotorcycles.com/ Sorry for the circumstances that you come to own the bike.
This is possibly the best thread I've read on any bike forum, hope you get what you want for it and whoever buys it enjoys it, I enjoyed the intrigue but that man Pete seems to be bang on.
I had my suspicions, but I'm not expert enough in the era to voice my opinion on the matter. Seems odd to have converted a real 900ss and not a Darmah, but then, people don't realise the value of what they have at the time. All the customising that goes on - the things are worth more in bog standard original condition. Seeing as you have the original bits, why not restore it back to original condition? Now that would be a project! Maybe someone could do it for you. (At a price...)
No news yet, but I'd just like to thank everyone once again for all the help you guys so kindly provided. It just shows how different people really are, because even though I did all I could to find out more about the bike ever since I got it, it wasn't until I made this thread that things really started to move. You guys gave me the first good bit of information regarding the bike in all this time I've owned it - which, granted, isn't that long, three or so months but during this time, trust me that I am not exaggerating when I say that I visited pretty much every workshop and asked every motorcycle enthusiast I could find. But with whomever I inquired was either trying to scam me into selling them the bike for an extremely low value, or was simply, well, full of it. Anyways... @Ducbird and El toro - You know, I really am tempted to take it for a short ride, even though I am fully aware of how horrible of an idea that is, considering I don't even know how to properly ride a scooter, let alone a sports bike... Despite all that, I probably would've done it by now if I knew in what state the engine is, but who knows what's been going on with it these past few years, so someone would have to take a look at it first. But yeah, I'm thinking if I did take it for a ride, I'd most definitely change my mind about selling it. Provided I survive, that is. @idrinkbeer - Missed your post earlier on. It's not that bad, though I prefer German brands. @final_edition - Thank you very much for the contacts! Emailed them both and am waiting for a response. @Scott1 - Thanks for the kind words, mate! Really appreciate it. @gliddofglood - Same thought has been with me these last few days, ever since it was confirmed that the black parts did belong to it! Would be absolutely awesome to do so because I still cannot get over how beautiful it was but... I cannot even begin to imagine where to start. On top of that, it would appear I'm quite a few parts short - the original seat, exhaust pipe and headlamp seem to be gone, and that's just from what I can tell so God knows what else is missing - plus I really cannot imagine to whom I could trust the job in Croatia, seeing as how 'honest' everyone I've asked about it has been so far. Not to mention knowledgeable. . . Either way, I'll keep you guys informed with how things are developing and everything that's going round. I honestly didn't expect this place would be so great when I made this thread, and seeing how awesome you all are, I really do wish I was more into motorcycles right now and a proper part of this world. Thanks again!
I still think you should get it running,firstly to increase value and secondly just to hear it running or to ride once.it would be a pity to sell as its a link with your father and as its been evolved down the years to suit his purpose its even more personal.....I say keep it,bring it to shows learn to ride and pass it on to your son/daughter ( to sell and buy beer and party ) anyhow good luck and let us know what happens.
