Post Sale Update: After 19 bids on eBay, this Varese-built 916 sold for $6,500.
Thanks to the gift of hindsight, we know that the 916 was one of Ducati’s most important models of all time. But did you know that it nearly had a catastrophic beginning? Right as the production lines were spinning up to bring the world the prettiest sportbike of the decade, a fire broke out at Ducati’s paint shop in the factory in Bologna. Ducati did not let this cripple them – instead they improvised and utilized the Cagiva factory in Varese to build 2,663 of the first 916s. Per Ian Falloon, 641 of the Varese bikes were sold in the US.
You can identify the Varese-built bikes because the 11th digit of the VIN is a V. This example (VIN: ZDM1SB8S7SV002676) has 13,673 miles and is said to be in “terrific condition.” It has lots of upgrades (and a lot of stickers that should be removed). In addition to the Ohlins suspension front and rear, this got Carrozzeria wheels and a Black Widow exhaust.
Find this Varese-built 916 for sale in Willis, Texas with bidding up to $6,200 and the reserve not yet met