The Ducati lives again: new brakes, battery, and tires; carburetors fixed; lots of small but essential parts replaced. I picked it up yesterday morning.
I rode it around the neighborhood yesterday afternoon. The frame is small and the riding position too sporty for a big guy like me, but it should fit our daughter well. As far as power and speed, well, the big bikes of my youth were 650s and 750s, and this thing, a 750, has plenty of grunt. It vibrates and thumps like a Harley Sporster, and overall, even though this is a modern bike, it feels and rides old school. Hella loud, too … those mufflers must be aftermarket!
Polly says she’ll clean it up over the weekend. Then it’ll sit for a while … Polly needs to take a basic motorcycle safety course and get herself some medical insurance first. Honestly, we’d be happier if she sold it on Craigslist and used the money to help buy a car, but right now she has Ducati stars in her eyes, so I’ll have to teach her everything I know about riding defensively and hope for the best.