Title Search

Getting the title could be easy or ugly depending on the results of the title search.  I submitted for DL-135 to the state DMV along with a check for $5.00.  What a joke $5.00.  They can't even open the envelope for $5.00 and it probably requires a majority vote from the full legislature to raise it so it doesn't happen.

The New Home

A few trailer accessories and a trip to U-Haul and we were on our way.  It was an easy trip.  A passing neighbor helped me unload.  I need to look for a ramp, a 2 x 6 is a little awkward.

The bike came with the original tank and air filter cover.  The tank has a leak and needs repaired.  I just wanted this photo as an original starting point.

I finally found one.

One of my lunchtime craigslist search revealed a Ducati Monza Jr about 30 minutes from my house.  Awesome. Considering I was trolling craigslist for every major metro area in a two hundred mile radius, 30 minutes was my backyard.

The ad was descriptive and had an "OK" photo, certainly enough to peak my interest.  I immediately e-mailed the seller, but he wasn't very forthcoming with information.  He indicated to me later that he gets a flurry of interest as soon as the post, but people just disappear.  I chased this guy for close to two months before I got a chance to see the bike.  Here is a photo from the ad.

The bike was very complete, the motor spun freely and only 1042 miles were showing on the odometer.  The tires even seem to be original.

Well, it took about ten minutes before I knew I wanted the bike.  It was only $1,200 and I knew the value of the bike, this was a very low risk purchase.  Plus, who knew how long it would be before the next 60's Ducati single that was complete but not restored would come available in the Pittsburgh market.

A little background.

June 28, 2011 - My inaugural post. Ok, so I bought a 1986 Porsche 911  a few years ago just before my 50th birthday.  I've been a car guy since about the age of 5, possibly before that too.  I think it was that plastic toy dashboard that I had about that age that put me over the top.  I've always had interesting daily drivers, but hated the rush, rush when ever I worked on them because the car had to be ready to go Monday morning for work.

I don't want to dwell on the Porsche on my Ducati blog, but it's been great fun and has scratched an itch that I have had for a long time.  The Porsche was in decent condition when I purchased it - should have been for what I paid.  Still, it's 26 years old and almost 100k on the clock so it needs work.  I refer to it as a "rolling restoration" - repair in the winter, drive in the summer.

Back to the Ducati.  There is a certain gene that some of us have that allows you to find pleasure and interest in working with your hands.  Some prefer electrical/electronic, some construction, some wood-working, some automotive - I'm part of the last group.  The Ducati needs way more work than my Porsche, but it's a smaller and simpler device, so it's well within my capabilities.

I had been searching for a bike just like this for over a year.  I considered Benelli's, Ameracchi's, and a few other Italian bikes.  I would have considered the right British bike.  I also thought about a Harley Hummer.  I mostly searched on Craigslist.  Around western PA and probably everywhere 75% of the older stuff is Japanese, mostly Honda's.  The next majority is British, Triumph's mainly.  A few BSA's, Norton's and other British.  The Italian bikes seem to be the rarest.  I saw a '61 Bronco in WV about 9 months ago, but the guy wanted too much for the condition.

My other chief consideration was the condition of the bike - a.k.a. the size of the project.  The two biggest categories are restored and a box of parts.  I didn't want either.  I wanted a complete bike in need of love.  So, considering that you have to sort through the different makes and the different conditions, a bike that met my requirements doesn't come across often at all.