'99 Chromo Duc ----- Rare? Anything special about 'em?

[diamonddog-2]

So, I've seen a couple of these Chromo bikes for sale these past few months. Are they as rare as they seller's claim?  [I guess if I've seen a couple for sale....]  Other than the flashy tank, are they set up differently than a "regular" '99 M900?  I believe these are still carbureted models?    One guy says the front suspension is adjustable and that there's an Ohlins rear. Sounds like an S ? .... or is it an upgrade from stock?     If the tank has been damaged, are they repairable of look for something else to replace it with?

....just wondering.   

Thanks!

[ducpainter]

The tanks can't be easily repaired.

[diamonddog-2]

Got it

[Howie]

And they are rare.  The Chromo with the adjustable/Ohlins is either an upgraded Chromo or an S with a Cromo tank.  '00 and '01 are injected, older are carbed.

[diamonddog-2]

It's a carbureted '99 that's been in "storage" for near 4 years. It sounds like it's got a lot of carbon fiber on it too. The CF sounds like it has a haze or cloudy surface on it. Maybe from being outside in the  UV?  The seller has no idea how to clean the haze off of it, if it's even possible?. Light sanding and clear coat?  The bike has the patented Ducati dent in the tank from falling over. One of the adjustable clutch levers had broken and was replaced with something non-oem. Sargent seat.
The guy stopped riding it due to an intermittent issue [possible bad ignition coil?] was leaving the bike disabled on the side of the road until it cooled.....and even then would only run for short periods of time and then would cut out.
At $2200 [the asking price] it seems like a project to get it going again. There are no service records for it. The Cromo tank might be unrepairable, which is one of the selling points to the whole bike?. Figure the tires will have flat spots after sitting for 4 years in addition to whatever the ignition issue is. A full service would be needed too.

It sounds like one of those bikes that will keep on asking for more and more money for a while....maybe?

[koko64]

Any pics or links?
Maybe worthwhile for 500 if its all there? I dunno your market, but maybe worth a lowball shot?
Sounds like a coil and you would replace old coils anyway I reckon as they get weak over time. Belts, tyres, service, coils, battery,  carb overhaul plus registration costs. Carbon to a painter for sanding and recoat. Theres some work to do. It would want to be mechanically sound to be worth it for a bargain.

[Howie]

And what DP said about the tank.  Though Chromo might be added value for some buyers, dented Chromo does not.

[ducpainter]

Carbon fiber can be restored as long as it hasn't changed color. Once it starts going green there is no cure except paint.

Even if it's just hazy, it's a PITA.

[koko64]

Last time I tarted up some carbon I used dark tinted clear to put some carbon colour back into it. Mind you I'm no painter and do a pretty rough job. As a mate once put it, "good enough for race fairings but not for a street bike".

[diamonddog-2]

HA! love the feedback from you guys. There are no pictures as of yet :  http://peoria.craigslist.org/mcy/5831454847.html

....I just posted my first link    yay for the old guy   

[koko64]

Carbon guards, carbon pipes, Ohlins shock, lots of extras. What would on road costs in your part of the world bring the $$ up to once fixed?
Belts $150
Coils $175
Oil and filter $75
Plugs $12
Air filter $65
Battery $60
Rego & insurance?
Tyres??
Some of the goodies if not to your taste could be sold to offset $$ cost.

I like the 98 with FCRs and light flywheel in the forum classifieds, but the same bike here goes for 5-6k., so I dont know what your market is doing.

[diamonddog-2]

Yeah, I'm not sure how to price some of what's needed and what the bike is actually worth. Probably the $500 area that you've suggested?    He could part it out for more?

....not even sure I'm interested in it since it's not an i.e. and the tank has issues. Pretty sure finding a used tank, in good nick, would be a holy grail type search.....and expensive too

[Mhanis]

I got a kick out of this:

             $2,200 FIRM or Highest Offer.

It's not really FIRM if he will take the best offer!

Mark

[Duck-Stew]

At $2,200 for the bike, you're in it for the right amount of $.  No question that you could part it out and make $$$.

As far as the tank goes, I've seen some people w/dented Chromo tanks have the dent fixed and then the side "panels" of the tank painted so that the main (non-dented) body of the tank is still chrome.

The seller has done his/her homework though.  Ducati originally planned for a much larger production run, but the chrome plating on the tanks were crappy.  So, they picked about the best 80 of them and built the bikes.  I've heard 78 as production and 83.

Since the '99 bikes still ran the 41mm Showa forks, check the chrome plating on the sliders for rust.  If they're rusted, they can't easily be fixed so you may be looking for forks (not too hard to find).

Chromo tank:  You're spot-on.  If Ducati only made ~80 bikes, imagine the number of non-dented tanks out there....  Yeah.  Me too.  I'd paint the side "panels", rebuild the carbs, put all new fluids in it, fresh tires and ride it as is...

[diamonddog-2]

I just don't know about that one....but let's see if he sends/posts any photos of it