[Ducati] Rejoined the list!

[Donnie&Cookie]

Greetings Ducati lovers,
Well, I used to belong the this list, or a burgeoning one that this one
evolved out of, a long time ago in the mid to late 90's when I owned a '92
Ducati 851.  There was a gentleman named Godfrey D. on the list who was
quite knowledgeable along with a whole passel of other Ducati lovin' folk.
Unfortunately, I had to sell the 851 in 1998 for financial reasons, and
didn't have the day to day interest in Ducatis, so exited the list.
However, a fellow biker whom I work with who owns a Honda VTR1000 recently
became interested in the Multistrada and, knowing I was a former Ducati guy,
asked me loads of questions and brought in color glossy photos of the
Multistrada, and I just got bitten again by the Ducati bug.

I wish I could tell you that I went out and bought a Multistrada or a 1098,
but they are a bit rich for my, ahem, wallet (although I believe there is a
1098 in my future, sometime, 10 years maybe?).  Instead, and I'm very
excited about it, I recently purchased an '81 Pantah 500SL in very decent
condition.  The story: the bike was dropped off ten years ago at a local
shop that I frequent: Dave's Sport Cycle Pacific in Santa Barbara, CA.
Dave's a Guzzi dealer and always has a few older cool bikes around including
Beemers, Triumphs, and occasional Ducs, along with a smattering of other
marques.  So, every time I go to have work done or tires mounted there's the
Pantah, sitting quietly in a prominent spot where all comers can sit on it
and twist the throttle, including me.  I don't know how many times I asked
Dave how much the owner wanted, but somehow it was always too much.  There
was always the question hanging, "do I want an old bike?"  Honestly, the
Pantah never really got my blood pumping the way a '73 750 Sport, or an F1,
or a '79 900 SS did.  Somehow it just wasn't enough bike.  Styling is very
'80s and what the hell can I do with a 50HP 500cc engine?  I need power!
Well, not really.

Last Saturday I brought in another tire to mount and there, sitting outside
in the sun, was the Ice Blue Pantah.  A couple of young guys, one with
"Italia" on his back, where ogling it, and they looked like they were
interested (turns out they were not).  So I asked the question one more
time, but this time with definite interest, and with my dealing face on,
"Hey Dave, what does the owner want for that anyway?"  Surprise: the price
was half of what it was ten years ago and I was stunned.  Here was a very
clean, previously-restored classic bike, a Ducati, for cheap.  I made an
offer, the deal was sealed and I am back in the Ducati saddle.  It will take
a bit of work to get it roadworthy, but I am looking forward to it
excitedly.  Everyone needs an old bike to screw around with!  After poring
through all my dusty Ducati books, and looking at internet photos of the
Pantah in different states of pure stock, or customization and tri-colore
paint, the design of it has grown on me (had to, I suppose).  I will post
some pics after I shine her up.

Please forgive the long post, but I am happy to be back.
Best
Don Lewis