Ducati Monster Forum

So I've decided I need a Monster, so I've been scouring craigslist. I found one just blocks away. The owner tells me it's an 01 600 frame with an 03 900 motor. I ran the numbers on the frame and it's an 01 M750 Dark (dual discs). The motor has been set up with Keihin FCR 39 carbs and Arrow high mount exhaust. The swap was supposedly done by an engineer that works for Falcon Jet in Little Rock, AR, anyone know him? I live in Fayetteville, AR, btw. The motor has a wet clutch and a 6-speed (according to the owner, I forgot to check when I was there). I can't find any way to positively ID the motor. Anyone have any advice on how to go about this? Is the bike even worth buying or will it just be impossible to sell later? He's asking $3600 but is flexible and may be into a trade involving my Vespa (65 VBB). The Monster has the Showa? forks with the 14mm hex tops and a Sachs shock. It's not in great shape cosmetically but does run fine. Levers are both bent a little too. Just so you know, I intend on riding piss out of the bike everyday, so cosmetics aren't that big of a deal but I need to be able to sell it without losing too much when it's time to upgrade. Should I run away and find another or make an offer? What would be a good offer?

Not something I would consider, there are plenty of nice older monsters with a good service history in all ranges and sizes.
Considering the seller did not even know the frame was a 750, i would be careful and do a lot of research or have the seller provide some documentation.

Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

IOWs, don't buy this bike.

Like the man said, there are plenty of others on the market (without the problems cited here) from which to choose.

+1 to what has already been said.  Run away as fast as you can.

Don't get anywhere near that bike.  The 900 motors are all dry clutch.  There is no '03 900.  And the 900 has been fuel injected since 99 (I think) or maybe 2000.  It sounds like it's just an '01 750 with carbs and an exhaust. 

2000 was the first year for injected Monsters, and only the 900 then.

As the owner and builder of a Franken-Monster I wouldn't run just because a bike has an engine swap.  However, it does sound like the owner doesn't know what he has.  You could find the number of the engine and run that.  Also, the engine has its displacement stamped on it somewhere.  I'm concerned that the owner doesn't know what he has but is asking as much as he is.  Funny thing about this situation is, buyers are always looking for the seller that doesn't know what he has and is selling it cheap to get rid of it.  For example, the Vincent picked up at a garage sale for $500.  Also, I don't know how much your Vespa is worth, but I'd hang on to it.  If you would like to get an idea of the value of it, I could help you find out.  My brother-in-law is a scooter nut and an officer in a national Vespa club.  You could PM me with the details and I will get back with you in a few days.  So here are my suggestions.
1) Look the bike over closely and get specs to help you identify the engine and other bits on the bike then do your homework or  
2) Look at the bike with someone from the board that is more knowledgeable about monsters or
3) Run, cause he is asking too much money and 1 and 2 are too much hassle.

I don't know how you go from this situation as descibed to a $500.00 garage sale Vincent.

this.
just some guy stroking your around man. there was no motor swap. there is no 900. it's just an '01 750 that looks like shit, so he's saying it's "been worked on."

offer him $1000. if he'll take it, go for it. if not, keep walking.

It is just a little poetic license.  

I understand that Einsteins genius was his ability to make great leaps in logical thinking others called it his ability to
escape the bounds of linear thought.  Albert and me, just two thought leapers [laugh]  [laugh]

And that is how you go from a $500 Vincent to the greatest mind of all time. ;D ;D  

The owner admitted that he knew less about the bike than I did after talking for just a few minutes. He's a nice guy and definitely not trying to screw me; he's just relaying information he was given. I have the numbers from the motor, I just can't find anywhere to run them and no guides to decode them. It's certainly not worth the asking price IMO. I guess I'll probably keep looking unless he wants to come WAY off the price. The bike runs and rides great, it's just a bastard and I can't figure out what it actually is or what it's actually worth.

The Vespa is probably worth about $1300 as it sits and I really should sell it as I have WAY too many bikes as it is. It's super cool but not in the best shape, needs transmission and electrical work among other things. It does have a new 166cc top end and 20/20 carb and runs fine, just needs a little work pretty much everywhere else.

Sounds like randalls selling bikes again.

[laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

Interesting that the predominant reaction is "run away!" ....from members of a board where Monster modding occupies an entire thread of its own.

Moral of the story: If you mod it, do it for yourself as a keeper.  Everybody else is gonna run a mile   [laugh].

He is never gonna sell that bike at the current price.  Come back in a couple of weeks, get a test ride, see if you like it, bring somebody that knows a little something about Ducatis, find out all that is not right with it, see if he'll let you take to a local shop to have it looked over on your dime.  If it all checks out and you think it runs well then give what you think it is worth.  Check out the value of a retail bike on KBB and NADA.  Probably subtract at least $500 since he is not a retail shop.  Subtract for any major issues that need to be fixed or overlooked services.  My guess is if it runs well it is worth about $1,500-$2,000.  If it has any issues it is worth less. I would like to ride it to see what those carbs are like on that motor.  

I must have missed where people said to run away simply because the bike had mods.

I thought the issue here was not that the bike might have a mod or two, say a tail chop or clip-ons and rearsets, but that the engine was original to neither the particular bike nor to the model of bike as a whole.

Mismatched frame/engine with a owner who doesn't know the whole history (and wants too much $$$ to boot) is reason to walk away.

FOR 4 -5 K YOU CAN GET A CLEAN LOW MILES ONE .

I've ridden the bike and it runs great. I'm confident that it's a good motorcycle (I've had a lot of bikes and also worked as a mechanic for a while), I'm just afraid I'll never be able to sell it when it comes time to upgrade after I'm hooked on Ducati twins (I already own a 66 250 scrambler) because I know that will happen. If I don't find anything better around here in the next couple of weeks, I might call him and see if he wants to take ~$2000 but I won't pay any more than that.

just someone telling me an 03 900  with wet clutch would say... eh no

The issue of rebuild and engine swaps, no biggy, as long as the guy is knowledgable.
 

I agree completely [thumbsup].