What to do with a free 750 Sport - Ducati.ms

twitchmonitor · Dec 18th, 2011, 6:42 pm

It's a long story, but I ended up getting a free 2001 750 Sport. It's been lowsided on both sides, with the right side being scrapped up pretty good, and left not too bad.

The bike has about 8000 miles on it, and as far as I can tell, has probably never had a proper service. I finally got a chance to examine the bike in detail, and clean the incredible amount of oily road grime from the undercarriage. The photo is from after that cleaning, this afternoon. Here's the breakdown

To get it roadworthy, it would need:

New chain
Registration (including re-registering it as a total loss/salvage title)
New front blinkers
New belts
Valve adjustment (I could probably manage to do this myself at home)

To get it presentable I would need to:

Fix small dent in tank and slight rash on the sharp angle above knee cutout
Replace a number of the body panels
Repaint
Replace or recover the seat
Replace the tank pad
Replace the rashed-up mufflers, preferably with some aftermarket cans
Find source of oil leak behind vertical cylinder and fix it

As you can see, nothing is ever "free."

It looks like I can do a few things with it:

1. Set it up as a track-only bike. I've only been doing 1 or 2 track days a year, so that would be kind of a shame to have it sit around 363 days of the year.

2. Get it road worth and ride it. The problem here is that I already have 2 bikes that I ride: an SV650 and a Honda 175 custom that I built. I can't justify registering and insuring 3 bikes.

3. Make a nice project out of it and see if I can do something interesting with it. Ditch the plastics, go cafe or streetfighter, etc. This could end up being a big project.

4. Sell it.

Thoughts?

gomura · Dec 18th, 2011, 7:07 pm

It seems like I see a lot of these 750 sports for sale that are wrecked or otherwise trashed. They seem like the Ducati that no one cares about.

Anyway, you might want to check to see just how much it would cost to insure. Without collision and comp, my insurance is dirt cheap. You might also consider just leaving it ratty looking so you won't have to worry about keeping it pristine or dropping it

If you go the streetfighter route, I understand that they'll take the Monster instruments and headlight without too much trouble. With the fairing out of the way, you could put some taller, wider bars on it, which could fix the slow turn-in. Oh, and lower the gearing. Since you got it for nothing, as long as it's mechanically sound, you could put some money into it to fix it up and still be ahead.

Just get it in running shape and enjoy the bike. They're great fun in the canyons!

Nacademus · Dec 18th, 2011, 7:12 pm

I'll come take her off your hands. Free of charge. Just don't you worry about what to do with it, I'll take care of it. I know how tough it could be when a kickass bike needing some TLC falls into your lap-free of charge. Pass that burden onto someone else. Namely me.

Revelstoker · Dec 18th, 2011, 8:57 pm

Go track bike. Never know, you might end up doing more than 1-2 days if you have a dedicated machine.

I don't see putting the money in to make it streetable when you already have the SV.

dos531 · Dec 19th, 2011, 1:35 am

If you were going to sell it how much would you want?

**amullo** · Dec 19th, 2011, 4:41 am

Start by getting it ridable and thn try it forabit.. You might be suprised hoe well you like it and that will light the route to go forward.

In any case, selling it will be alot easier if the buyer can ride it directly after the purchase and having the option also increases the worth of a trackride.

My guess is that once you try it, your SV might get some competition.

twitchmonitor · Dec 19th, 2011, 9:22 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by dos531

If you were going to sell it how much would you want?

I haven't even put any thought in to that yet. Guess I should, although selling is really my last resort. Since my buddy gave it to me I'd feel bad about turning around and selling it, you know?

MitchB · Dec 19th, 2011, 11:29 am

First thing is first:

Go to the DMV and have them pull the VIN and see if it can even be registered. If the frame is bad, or Insurance has it listed as a non-repair - you'll need a new frame (with a title).

Then - decide what to do...

GM92SS · Dec 20th, 2011, 4:26 pm

I'd be tempted to ditch the fairings, buy a headlight and put on some flat bars. Basically a monster concept with more available lean angle. Then maybe drop a tooth in the front. Seems like that woiuld make a good, fun and inexpensive bike for tearing around in town. Whatever you do, sure can't beat that price on a fun project.

redpato · Dec 20th, 2011, 9:44 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by twitchmonitor

Since my buddy gave it to me I'd feel bad about turning around and selling it, you know?

Then how about a "paying forward" kind of gesture and give it away? Do you have a nephew, cousin, best friend's kid, etc., that has shown an interest in learning how to ride and maintain their own bike? By giving it to one of them you could be their mentor in helping them learn first hand how to care for a bike. What about the local high school, do they have an automotive shop? If so, maybe they could use a project. That route would also give you a tax deduction.

"in God we trust"