This 1974 Ducati 750SS was featured in both the Schillings Register and the Falloon book about the model. It is described as having some flaws and a re-paint, and the bidding is taking the price to astounding levels. Find it here on eBay in Boyne City, Michigan. Special thanks to Dale J. for this submission!
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I find it an appalling failure of the human spirit that the owner could have possessed this machine for a number of years, and not ridden it once, nor even STARTED it! There are few moto-symphonies like that pair of Contis.
Round-case Ducati 750s are among the sweetest machines I’ve ever ridden, having owned several, and toured extensively on a 750GT in the 1980s. Dead smooth, powerful with perfectly stable handing. The SS is the pinnacle, the fastest 750 on the market in the early 70s, faster than the later 900!
This machine will shortly become as collectible as a Brough Superior – they are already silly expensive – as they are masterpieces of design and function, if not the execution of their bodywork and electrics… at any rate, they are far more rideable than a BS, if you care to ride quickly…
As with the BMW this is also Motorcycle Art, no need to start or ride them just sit down and enjoy looking at them…
Gorgeous? Yes. Iconic? Certainly. Collectible? Indeed. Over $88k? Ridiculous.
A gorgeous Ducati, but I’m stunned that the ‘price’ is almost $90K & hasn’t met reserve YET!
I’ve owned a couple of Ducatis in the past & w/my limited knowledge I can’t see what’s so special about this one(?).
Regards
Do be sure to look at the pictures of the rest of his collection. They are the last three photos at http://imageevent.com/joejo20/1974ducati750ss
Jaw dropping to say the least.
Nice and simple to work on.
Those who like it but don’t want to ride their 401k around town could probably build a $7,000 tribute version of this from very similar models.
The seller states that other bikes from the collection will be available shortly. I know he’s also listing a Bimota KB2 but in the link in the ebay ad there’s a slew of other interesting bikes in that garage. I spy with my eye: a Mike Hailwood Replica; some 888′s and maybe a few 851′s; more Bimotas…
These things have already gone over $100,000 in traditional auctions and, repaint or not, looks like this one will here.
@jh/Scottman: This bike will go over the 100K mark for sure; like you said, even with the repaint. Pretty much the “holy grail” of collectible motorcycles outside of the Vincent and Brough world (a real holy grail, not what were talking about with regard to Yamaha RZs the other week…)
As a life-long dyed in the wool Ducati guy, I’m surely prejudiced, but this to me is the pinnacle of design and performance. If I had the money, she’d be in my garage without doubt.
And if you haven’t already, take John K’s advice and check out what else this guy has in his collection – some very, very nice stuff.
To paraphrase Butch Cassidy: Who IS that guy?
I knew these were desirable; but I didn’t realize the market had shot up that much. Boy am I out of touch.
Now THIS belongs in a living room….
DavidR – agreed; aint much cooler than this. But a bike costing twice what my house is worth? Much as I love em, just can’t see it…Although I can come closer to seeing this than the ~230k recently paid for a Brough Superior …
And Mr Varjak has it right – put this in the living room as it is surely art.
Gulp.
Silly. Speculators gone wild.
Slim
>Those who like it but don’t want to ride their 401k around town could probably build a $7,000 tribute version of this from very similar models.
heh… good thought but not a chance. Priced out round-case engines and parts lately?
I’m not a bike guy…but I equate a gentlemen who buys this bike and never starts or rides this bike in his ownership of it akin to a guy owning a spectacular vintage muscle car (ala Shelby Mustang territory) and never starting or driving it.
A complete waste of time, money and artistic talent. It’s does no one any good if it sits in a garage.
My opinion. Obviously there are those with more money than sense who would disagree.
A few points:
Dallas, you can take a 750GT which is still significantly less money than an SS, install a pair of 32mm Dell’Ortos and a set of Wiseco 9.5:1 pistons and you’ll have a machine that performs almost identically to a Sport or SS in real world riding. It just doesn’t get much better than that.
JH, Slam105 and Slim Chance, the market speaks for itself. Legitimate, documented 750SS’s have been trading at or above the $100k mark for a while now. It’s good ole’ supply-and-demand. You want crazy? Look at vintage Ferrari and Porsche prices. $100k will get you a 4-cam 550 Spyder engine. Not the car, just the engine.
Keeping 750 Super Sports in a living room is just not right. Enthusiasts deserve to see these bikes and, IMHO, owners have an obligation to let fans see them. I go to a few vintage bike shows a year and it’s rare to see any round-case Ducatis at these venues, never mind greenframe SS’s. Too bad.
For that money, I’d rather go to Flordia and buy a foreclosed home near the beach. That’s just silly.
I agree Scott. I narrowly lost out (at about $10k) on a ’74 Sport that had not been run since the late ’70′s. It was clean but not mint and just sitting in this guy’s basement. He was an interesting gentleman and I didn’t want to insult him but RIDE IT! However, I’m all for appreciation on these collector bikes.
Wrong again. Didn’t meet reserve at $95+; musta been the missing mirror…
On one hand I hate this, on the other hand I totally understand. I’m terrified of sport bikes. I regularly scare myself with my two M cars, but at least I’m surrounded by a closed cockpit of steel. Once you’re old enough to afford suitable life insurance, you can’t recover from a motorcycle accident.
That said, someday my “collection” will have to include some sort of Ducati. A showroom-new 999 parked in my living room with zero miles will let me die a happy man. Nice to know that 20 years later my kin can reap the financial rewards of my insanity.
@ Steve:
Although the seller listed the frame & engine numbers in the description he didn’t mention if they’re a match(& my lack of expertise is no help). He also mentions a “re-paint” & didn’t note if the “green-frame” was original…hence my questions regarding its ‘significance’.
Regards.
@slam105: It’s my understanding that this bike was “repainted” in it’s original green. It’s also my understanding, from an earlier discussion, that the numbers are matching.