I just bought a 996. Here are some of the bikes i didn't buy.

[weemonster]

Some of these are in hindsight horrible. But here in the UK Ducatis are exensive even horrible ones.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ducati-996-Tuned-Serviced-Extras-Unfaired-/251625163309?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item3a96074a2d
My plan would have been to buy Chinese fairing off ebay for the short term.And over time get real bodywork.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-ducati-996-bip-/251603540745?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=7BsYDbY0aDIQjNZ7NnUNxn%252BBnWY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
This one was too far away and wasn't pretty.

My budget of £3500 was starting to look a bit hopeful.

so I considered a couple of 748's
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-Ducati-748-B-/121405856223?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=7BsYDbY0aDIQjNZ7NnUNxn%252BBnWY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
I was outbid on this.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ducati-748b-/251599712819?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=7BsYDbY0aDIQjNZ7NnUNxn%252BBnWY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-Ducati-748-Biposto-/221505410078?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=7BsYDbY0aDIQjNZ7NnUNxn%252BBnWY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
with a 748 being half the price of a 916 it looked like the way forward and change the engine later.

Then I saw this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DUCATI-916-/331243064279?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=7BsYDbY0aDIQjNZ7NnUNxn%252BBnWY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
I was outbid sniped right at the end.

Why consider this one?
Well Its a 1994 916 Strada not a Biposto. The only other Strada for sale in the UK was/is £6k. Because they are collectable GRR.
I found a 996 engine for £750. I had a buyer lined up for the engine and power commander and the carbon bodywork.
Then I got outbid.