Post Sale Update: This Monza initially sold for $5,006 after 55 bids on eBay, however the bike was relisted and then sold for $2,850 after 15 bids.
4-13 Update: A Bike-urious reader shared the following with me, and I think it’s important to pass along: “I looked it up and found that the guy had the bike for sale on Craigslist in Santa Cruz for $2,600. I sent him a message and told him I would take it and he never called at then put it up on eBay. I then tried to contact him through eBay and asked him to call me to answer a few questions. He refused, replying “I won’t have time.”
Like myself, this reader is hesitant to buy a bike from someone who won’t talk to him. Just want to make you aware – maybe you should contact the seller before placing a bid?
Ducati had been quite successful with their 125cc motor in a variety of applications, however the US distributors of Michael and Joseph Berliner believed Americans would be more open to purchasing a bike with a bump in displacement. Ducati responded by boring out the cylinder from 55.2mm to 61mm, resulting in 156cc of displacement and a model called the Monza 160 Junior.
The tiny thumper was reportedly capable of putting down a mean 11 horsepower at the 8,000rpm. The chassis of the 160 wasn’t reworked to better accommodate the slightly larger power plant, and instead Ducati just stuffed the 160 into the 125’s steel tubular frame (which used the bevel-drive engine as a stressed member). For more on the little Monza, check out this Retrospective from Rider Magazine.
This example has been sitting since January so the seller recommends that you go through it before riding it, but he’s letting it go as he has a medical emergency. Recent parts include a Powerdynamo electronic ignition, Dell’orto carb, and Mark 3 style exhaust. The sale includes the original carb, original tall handlebars, a 6V magneto ignition system, and 18″ WM1 alloy wheels.
Find this Monza Junior for sale in Felton, California with bidding up to $1,500 here on eBay.