ha ha ha, just read the Bonhams ad, for built by Ducati Corse, read, they fitted the bodywork, they were not even 999S lumps, standard 999, they will have been invoiced out of Ducati Corse because thats where racing funding goes at that level rather than DUK / D Ita but they weren't 'built' by them, if it were and there was any real provenance they'd be asking a lot more money, if you want an ornament or trackbike its a nice option but there are plenty of other bikes out there with better history than this jigsaw puzzle ....
My neigbour has one, he uses it as a track bike, occasionally. Most of the time it lives under a sheeet in his garage
Hi Dibble, thanks for you information - I was concerned that they didn't appear to be Corse built and that Bonham's were blatantly claiming they were. The guide prices are often 2 to 3 times under value at Bonham's - look at the Foggy Rep estimate! Would you be able to drop me an e-mail so I can forward it to Bonham's - I don't want people thinking they are more than they actually are, especially if I'm planning on bidding on one! It would be much appreciated, thanks again for the info. Stu ([email protected])
Stu, They probably were 'put together' by Ducati Corse but thats very different to your and my definition of 'built' by Ducati Corse, the likelihood and no one will ever know for sure is that the Corse boys assembled them cosmetically but who would know, Bonhams have chosen to use the word 'built' and you give that more credence than 99% of the buying public, there wasn't anything to build, and their ad states they dont know what engines were in there 999/S or R, they are just clothes horses for the GP style bodywork. Bonhams have written an ad that uses a word we put more faith in, not quite sure what everyone is so excited about, they have these priced about right, its a 999 in a fancy frock with nice paint.... I don't see where they are trying to rip anyone off ... Like anything we but due diligence is the key, and anyone with half a brain will know that you wont get anything built by Ducati Corse that has doubts as to the engine in it !!!!
I felt they were priced about right, thinking of having a bid. Just wanted to get one at a reasonable price so thought the description wasn't too accurate which is why I started trying to research. Thanks again for all the info Dibble. At least I now know what I am bidding for now!
Well, I took the plunge and bought Lot 400 Lot 399 was a 749 (thanks for the info Mark) Lot 400 was a bit special I think, under investigation!
What wheels have you bagged on lot 400? I can't make out what they are made of but look very trick It will be really interesting to hear more about the bike!
It hasn't got the 749/999 calipers, they are ones off a 998. The exhaust is the standard heavy unit, not the larger Performance silencer. Seems a lot to pay for a base model Bitsa with replica bodywork.
All very interesting though - would be good to keep us updated with lots of pictures and info as you work your way through it!
Not sure what the wheels are yet - someone here will know I'm sure? The interesting thing is the frame appears to be a prototype 999 frame - check out the frame work behind the motor. Also the exhaust appears to be prototype, the tank as well - it has a 999 shape but slightly different at the front and no 999 filler cap, it has a 998 cap set further back. Some research to do yet but it's looking like these bikes were cobbled together with what they had lying around after 999 production ceased and this one is a very early prototype 999, perhaps the earliest in existence (hopefully anyway!!!). The others are now thought to be pre production frames from 2002 but this appears to be earlier. While viewing I couldn't engage a gear like on the other 2, but when I noticed all the peculiar traits this one had, I just had to have it
Thanks for that - all the more credence to my thought of what I might have bought (see my above post) yes - a proper bitsa hopefully! The exhaust certainly isn't a standard one - the outlets are narrower and there are no brackets where they should be in places.
Nice to stand out with something a little different. The 5 spokes really suit it. I would be interested in knowing which wheels they are
As said before they are Marchesini's. They are not mag, as they have the profile on the spokes which the standard bikes ie 998s, st4s and monster have. My bet is they are from a st4s or monster s4 etc. The front wheel has 6 bolts for the disc, as 998, S4 and ST4s. The 999 wheels use 5 bolts. The rear disc is from a monnie or st4s. The rear claiper bracket is not 999. I don't have my 749 here atm to compare but the frame above the rearset mountings look a bit cut-and-shut. If you look behind the dash on the subframe bracket, it says Lusuardi Racing. Contact them for ayny info on the bike. It may only be that they supplied the bracket,or know about the bike in question. http://www.lusuardiracing.it/
