I have always wanted a Ducati but thought they were beyond my budget. The one model I lusted after was the SportClassic 1000. It is in the style of a cafe racer but with modern components, modern handling and a few cafe bits (piggyback shock, clip-ons, cafe shaped tank, cafe hump seat). I'm always keeping my eye out on Craigslist. The bike I was originally looking for at the time I found my current Monster was a Honda Hawk GT. Now, these bikes are commanding at least $2500-3500 depending of course on condition. After checking out prices on older Monsters (carbie versions, dual sided swingarms), they were about the same price! So, more looking. I wasn't so keen on the style. After more research, I found that a Monster was on sale at the local dealer, an S2R800. I never heard of it! More research and I found that this model, I do like. The 1000 version though, had the dry clutch and better suspension. One day late in the riding season of November 2009, my bike popped up on CL! No picture and an asking price of $5500! Wow, way below the $6500-7000 of normal prices. It was low mileage (7000), red (my fav), original condition, titled, original owner.! What more can you ask for? I go to look at it and it is in rough shape but restorable. No one has even looked at it! It was a bit of a drive for most (Oxford) and there was no pic. It was stored in a trailer. The owner was going thru divorce and jobless. I get it for $4500! Yowza! I ride her home in 40 degree weather. Never rode a Ducati before, but I remember how bad the motor shuddered at low rpm! I learned quick how it doesn't like it!
Here she is when I get her home!
I start tearing her apart and get her clean. I have a huge list of mods to be done! I can't wait!
She is named Lucille!
More cleaning. The first thing to go is the white rims. It needs black ones real bad!
I get the swingarm clean. It was filthy from all the chain lube.
I do the standard Monster tail chop and make some simple brackets to locate the tail light inward.
I cut the stock steel clutch cover and paint it. Why spend over $100 for the aluminum one? Maybe later? It looks ok for now and it does the job. Plus the open design lets out the cool dry clutch noise. Noisy it is too!