1988 Ducati 750 F1 Santamonica, Frame no. ZDM750LS*750364* Engine no. ZDM750L1*750341

1988 Ducati 750 F1 Santamonica
Frame no. ZDM750LS*750364*
Engine no. ZDM750L1*750341
• A highly desirable Ducati
• Limited edition

With its all-new range of water-cooled, four-valve twins just over the horizon, Ducati capitalized on the success of its existing air-cooled, two-valve 750 F1 model by releasing a series of hand-built, limited edition race replicas: Montjuich, Santamonica (one word), and Laguna Seca, the Santamonica celebrating Lucchinelli's win in the 1986 opening round of the World TT Formula at the Misano Autodoromo Santamonica.

The 750 F1 Santamonica was still an important player even though it was the last of the reborn company's many limited-edition race replicas. As the other two in the series, it scaled-in at a near 352 pounds, the bike placing just as much importance on weight savings as outright power generation, a theme that would serve Ducati well with this series and into the future. In 1986, F1 crankcases were strengthened, valve sizes were increased, straight-cut gears now drove a hydraulically activated dry clutch, and the gearbox itself was beefed up. With a healthy near 70hp at the rear wheel, the 750 F1 Santamonica was capable of over 130mph.

'The Santamonica was built primarily for the Japanese market, at that time Ducati's most important one. The engine was identical to the Laguna Seca, but the wheels were the Mavic/Akront brand as fitted to the Montjuich and 851 Strada. Given the basic soundness and sameness of the basic F1 platform – a lot of parts interchangeability – these Special Editions tended to be far better sports motorcycles than the F1 they were based on. But make no mistake the F1 platform was phenomenal in the beginning. All Santamonicas were dual seat...' with as few as 204 produced for just one year. Given the market target for the Santamonica, examples in the USA are extremely rare. It was one of the most exclusive motorcycles of its time and today is highly prized by Ducati collectors. 'As such, the entire F1 line, and in particular the three models of limited-edition replicas, represented the end of an era for Ducati...totally in keeping with the spirit and essence of Ducati.'

Cycle magazine summed up the series when it said, 'the F1 allows a very competent street rider to understand how a race bike feels because the engine will inspire him rather than intimidate him.' It concluded the F1s were the last true fundamental Ducatis.

This Santamonica is in excellent original condition apart from the indicators which have been replaced. The bike has come from New Zealand. No service records are available. Given its odometer reading this Santamonica has a long life ahead of it but any buyer would be wise to inspect it carefully before embarking on further road burning.