When Ducati brought back the 900SS at the end of the 1980’s, it was already technologically and mechanically dated compared to the other offerings being sold towards the end of the decade. It boasted a retro style that was powered by an equally retro engine. For this reason, the 900SS is a terrific candidate when looking for a donor machine …
1968 Aermacchi Harley-Davidson Ala Verde
Aermacchi and Harley-Davidson produced a number of solid machines over the course of their partnership after Harley bought up a 50% stake in the Italian manufacturer. In contrast to Harley’s heavy, relatively poor-handling cruisers, the Italian/American moco-partnership made many nimble low-displacement motorcycles with superb handling and quintessential 1960’s Italian style. The Ala Verde, which was produced from ’59-’72, is a …
1985 Moto Guzzi LeMans 1000 Mk. IV
The fourth of five generations of Guzzi’s iconic LeMans, the Mark IV got a bit of a reputation as a weird handler due to the 16″ front wheel. Part of the problem was that Guzzi didn’t change any other aspects of the steering geometry of the bike to compensate for the two-inch reduction in front wheel diameter. This example has …
Rapido Sport – 1963 MV Agusta 150RS
In 1959, Italy introduced a rule that made it illegal to ride on the highway with a bike that displaced less than 150cc. MV Agusta responded by taking their 125 and creating a family of models around a 150 motor including the Gran Turismo, Rapido Sport America, and Rapido Sport. The latter is what we have in front of us …
1985 Moto Guzzi V65 TT
Post Listing Update: Despite 49 bids up to $3,200, this TT did not meet reserve. If you want a Guzzi dual-sporter nowadays, your only option is the pavement-focused Stelvio. But back in the 80s, Guzzi tried to take on BMW and their new-at-the-time GS with the Tutto Terreno (TT).
1967 Ducati MK3 250 CRMC Racer
In 1967, Ducati rejoined the single-cylinder roadbike market with the Mark 3 (or MK3) 250 and 350 models, as well as a 450 version by the end of the ’60’s. Ducati would spend almost two-and-a-half decades utilizing single-cylinder engines that used Fabio Taglioni’s non-spring-actuated valve-system. Ducati also offered a factory race kit for the MK3, though I haven’t been able …
AVC Rebuild – 1974 Ducati 750GT
Post Sale Update: This 750GT sold for $25,000 after 20 bids on eBay. The last time I featured a 750GT, Paul d’Orleans called it “the best motorcycle of the 1970s. Period.” What more of an endorsement could you want? This example was recently restored by the experts at Austin Vintage Cycle, so you’ll be all set to enjoy it for …
Restored Classic – 1980 Ducati 900SS
The Ducati Super Sport continues to be one of the most prized motorcycles in existence. Developed by Fabio Taglioni, the success of the SS would be helped along by a number of factors such as winning the ’72 Imola 200 as well as seeing Mike Hailwood win the ’78 TT. Before the famous model would revived by Ducati in ’88 …
Built for Japan – 1986 Ducati 400 F3
Post Sale Update: this baby Ducati sold for $5,299 after 15 bids on eBay. From the early 80s through the early 90s, Japan featured some of the best 400cc motorcycles in the world because strict licensing laws made it very difficult to own bigger bikes (before 1993, it was illegal for OEMs to sell a bike bigger than 750cc in …
In Italy – 2008 Ducati Desmosedici RR
The Ducati Desmosedici RR (or Racing Replica) is the epitome of an elite motorcycle. While its 197hp and 188mph top speed are slightly less stunning in comparison to today’s near 200hp/200mph superbikes, it still boasts some of the finest equipment on the planet and when it was first released a decade ago, a road-going machine like the this was unheard …
1 of 1 – 1996 Ducati “649R” SuperTwin Racer
This Ducati 649 SuperTwin is the only example like it in the world, and it was created specially to compete in Mini/Super-Twin 650 class competition. This super short stroke engine has a 90mm bore that makes 85hp and red lines at 13,000 rpm. This machine is built around a 1996 Ducati model, so I assume a 748SP or SPS. This …
2008 Bimota Tesi 3D Carbonio
Post Listing Update: This Bimota was pulled off of eBay because “there was an error in the listing.” Final sale price unknown. Introduced in 2007, the 3D was the third generation of the Tesi. While it was an improvement over the 2D in many ways, reviewers weren’t excited about the gap between how it looked and how it performed. It’s …
The Icon’s Little Brother – 1973 Bimota HB1 350
Post Sale Update: After 69 bids on eBay, this Bimota kit sold for $4,549. The HB1 was Bimota’s first bike and is unarguably its most rare and valuable motorcycle. The Honda powered two-wheeler was the start to the company’s long history of wrapping proven engines in an advanced frame fitted with trick components while simultaneously resulting in some damn fine …
2 Miles – 2002 Ducati 998S Ben Bostrom Replica – 6/155
Post Sale Update: This Bostrom rep sold for $18,299 after 16 bids on eBay. Ben Bostrom was represented by #155 when he competed in AMA Superbike with Ducati’s 998S. So Ducati used that as the number of copies that should be built when they created a limited edition replica. 155 were built for the US and UK markets, making a …
1986 Moto Morini 350 K2
Post Listing Update: Despite 24 bids on eBay up to $3,555, this K2 did not meet reserve. Built between 1984 and 1986, the K2 was the eventual successor to the legendary 3 1/2, and it’s a rare find in the US. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the styling – it’s very clearly a child of the 80s, and …