Hello fellow Ducatisiti I have been lurking in the wings for a while now and finally found the time to share with you all my latest acquisition, which has been sitting in my garage since October 2013 waiting for the weather to clear up so that i can decide what to do with this little beauty. I heard about the bike through a friend as the owner had it sat in his garage for the past few years and hardly used it due to work commitments and had virtually forgotten about it, fast forward to last year and a deal was done and it was in my possession. When i picked the bike up he mentioned that the mileage was approx 500 miles but he wasnt sure. Anyway, after having it serviced last week and firing her up, the odometer is showing 333. Its like a time warp machine, the original factory yellow felt markers are still on the nuts/bolts. Its not perfect even though it has been in a heated garage, but its nearly there. My original plan was to sell it, but im having serious reservations, i normally go for the early 851/888/916 bikes, but this thing is so pretty, the engine tight and spinning around with ease. Plan to take it for spin this weekend if there is not too much salt on the roads. Sorry for poor quality of the pics, will post more soon, shall i sell or shall i keep? decisions decisions
Change those tyres before riding it, they are now old and were never that good to start with, cold weather grip is very poor and the profile makes them exceedingly nervous and twitchy on the road where they also track horribly on imperfections etc.. Even a brand new tyre will offer better grip.
What sort of bloke would go out and buy a brand spanking Paul Smart Replica, take it out for a couple of weekends, and then just leave it in his garage for years, untouched? Is it: a) someone afflicted with a terrible illness shortly after his acquisition? b) someone with more money than sense?
The latter, He is a City Broker living in Chelsea, London. Bought the bike then got busy with making loads of money and lost interest in the bike, my gain i guess, he didnt give it away, drove a hard bargain the git. Im thinking of mothballing it actually, seems too nice and original to ruin. Will have to just ride my 851 instead.
Too nice and original not to ride. Riding motorbikes is sort of the point of them. Just keeping it for "an investment" is a waste of life. Let it take you on incredible journeys to new experiences, and to meet new friends.
I agree, im itching to get out on it, will put a few miles on it this summer im sure. I have a set of Sil Moto Twin side stacj silencers on order, just doesnt sound right with the standard system.
Thanks guys, it looks like my original plan of selling it taking a back seat. Engine is tight and sweet, makes my older Dukes sound like a bag of nails.
I totally agree. The tyres are now 8 years old at least. it's not worth chucking it down the road for the sake of £250. I took mine to Cornerspeed for a 2 yr service and had new tyres fitted, the old ones were like cardboard with similar grip levels. Make sure they are suitable for fitting with a tube. For the sake of £30 I would also fit new inner tubes. If you dare take that machine out on a salted road I will find out where you live and give you a damn good thrashing a la Basil Fawlty. Save it for nice weather & only journeys over 20 miles. That engine takes a long time to warm up properly. Wherever you park it there will be a crowd around it when you return.
I am becoming increasingly jealous of this bike. I think it looks fantastic. Also, at 92 bhp with dollops or torque, it must make a brilliant bike for today's roads, where you can have fun without going Warp 7 and still have lots of handling. Dial in a little noise and it's Ducati heaven. Far sooner have that than the next generation superbike. You bastard. What did you have to stump up to convince the banker to part with it?
Yes I agree about tyres, what would you guys recommend? I have pirellis on my 851. It did come with a seat I was giving it it's first wash in 5 years and it s sitting nearby, looks nice with the seat unit on, hardly been sat on by fat banker arse As for my whipping, haven't had one if those since I visited my lady friend Brenda in Berwick St Soho a few years back. Don't worry mate I have no intention of taking it out on salty roads. I possibly couldn't reveal what it took to prize it away from the banker but he didn't get where he was by being a walk over, i can haggle with the best of them and I mean I can really stand my ground, but he just gave me a figure and shifted very little he did his research and had an idea of its worth, I wanted it cos of its low mileage and lack of use.
I'm sure it is worth what you paid, and I'm willing to bet it will be worth more in the future, even if you use it.
I was chatting to a well known Ducati mechanic/dealer today about the bike and he advised that I either go the whole hog and use it regularly or park it up and use it as a little nest egg as it will be worth a few quid in a few yrs, not sure i want to do this. I have never been one for having garage queens, the mileage I have clocked up on quite rare machinery is impressive. Laverda Jota as everyday transport for 3 yrs, then an 851 for 5 yrs, sold it with 76,000 miles on the clock. Work means I just don't get a chance to ride much, just the odd weekend blast He reckons it's got to be worth £12-14000 in this condition. Value doesn't really concern me, it's originality and uniqueness more so.
It's been said before but the prices are mad on all SportClassics at the moment. To think in 2007 I sold mine for £7000 and the dealers hated them, even Ducati didn't want mine in p/ex, mine had some nice extras on too. Always wonder what happened to it, just sitting in someones gargage I expect. I think there's probably quite a few in the same condition, mileage as yours, they registered about 60 -70 in the UK from memory and how many do you see, they're all locked away as show pieces.....somewhere. Mileage won't de-value it, within reason, just keep it standard and in nice nick and you're onto a winner. Congratulations.
