I have always had a love of novelty and hard to find stuff, from the comedy records Doctor Demento used to play to the hard to find extra crunchy version of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. This week's online find, a 1970s Ducati, is like that—no better than the other bikes they were building at the time (many would say worse), but certainly different.

In a misguided attempt to compete directly with Honda and the rest of the big Japanese companies, the accountants at Ducati insisted they build a line of parallel twin commuter bikes. Unfortunately, what they got was still outclassed by the Japanese, and less reliable too: The Ducati GTL350 and GTL500.

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Online Find Ebay Edition – 1977 Ducati Sport Desmo 500

In an effort to make these bikes more interesting, Fabio Taglioni was called in to revamp the motor, adding higher compression and the Ducati trademark Desmo valve operation. Leopoldo Tartarini of Italjet took care of making it handle and stop, as well as look the part with 3 Brembo discs, Marzocchi suspension, Borrani cast aluminum wheels, and an all new frame and body work.

Online Find Ebay Edition – 1977 Ducati Sport Desmo 500

Why buy the same Honda CX500 café racer every other hipster has when you could have a genuine classic Ducati for about the same price? This bike, with less than 10k miles, is located in Whitestone, New York (which is Queens, New York City to most people) and just needs a little TLC to cause both Ducatisti and know-it-all internet bikers to do a double take when you ride it to Brooklyn for coffee.

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Online Find Ebay Edition – 1977 Ducati Sport Desmo 500

Currently listed at a $2,800 starting price on eBay, with no reserve and a willingness to ship worldwide. From the look of the photos the biggest thing it needs is a tachometer, paint on the seat and a new seat cover. Fifty-three horsepower at 9,000rpm and 400lbs is perfectly respectable for a vintage bike, and better than the Honda CB500/550 fours. The listing even says it runs well:

Online Find Ebay Edition – 1977 Ducati Sport Desmo 500

“This listing is a very rare 1977 Ducati 500SD.   It has the signature Ducati Desmodromic valve train which was designed by Dr. Fabio Taglioni to raise horsepower considerably over the standard 500 engine.

This motorcycle came stock from the Ducati factory with clip-ons, rear sets and very high quality brakes and suspension of the era, all of which are still present on this sporty bike.

The bike runs really nice. has 150 PSI compression in each cylinder and will start up and idle and run with no issues. Gearbox and clutch work fine. You should be prepared to go through the bike and address the typical things when buying a bike that has been off the road for 20+ years (wear items and cleaning and adjustments). If you choose to refinish the bike you could come away with a beautiful 70's era Desmo bike that is missing from most Ducati collections due to rarity and displayed at a couple of the more well-known  and comprehensive motorcycle museums.“

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Online Find Ebay Edition – 1977 Ducati Sport Desmo 500

You can see the full ad and bid here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/221783130131

Tell normal arrivederci and say hello to this little Italian novelty.

UPDATE: Unsold with no bids at $2800

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