Value of a 450 Desmo Motor

[krupp13]

I have a question for the fellow members. I have a Ducati 450 Desmo RT motor that is complete and running. The motor has had extensive work done by a very reputable speed shop. The head of the motor has been flowed, ported to handle a 40mm Dellorto PHM carburetor, fitted with Harley XR valves (42 and 37), and bored to handle an oversized/high compression piston.

My question is how much is it worth? It was previously in an ARMHA race bike and I now own it. I am contemplating selling it, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

[JimF]

I fully expect to be contradicted.

It seems to me I have seen Desmo 450 heads (not an engine, just a head) listed (but I can't recall what they sold for or if they sold) for upwards of fifteen hundred dollars.

There are some that will find a modified engine as detracting from its value, others will see it as a plus.

The economy is a bit depressed now too...

My estimate would be $3000 for an entire 450 Desmo engine absolute minimum, and maybe $5000 as what I expect would be a top dollar price for a very nicely reworked high-performance engine in great condition. How you can assure a prospective buyer that the engine is in great condition I can't say. And I think a cautious buyer will buy any engine assuming it will need a full rebuild.

I'm anxious to hear what others think.

Jim

[ajleone]

Jim makes some good point - I agree, just my opinion also.

I think a fully restored Mach 1 engine was on ebay for $4000 and I would think a 450D would be in the same price range. IMHO

Guessing price is a really tough thing - the right seller with the means might not view price the same as a collector/hobbyist. You could always test the water by putting it on ebay with a really high reserve. Not a bad way to see what the market woudl bear and only pay a small ebay fee (assuming it does'nt sell).
Tony

[Rick]

Well, I have an R/T450 without an engine- even the 21" front wheel is undamaged, if you'd like to build a R/T450, send me a PM
Rick

[DewCatTea-Bob]

By: JimF ...
" It seems to me I have seen Desmo 450 heads (not an engine, just a head) listed (but I can't recall what they sold for or if they sold) for upwards of fifteen hundred dollars. "

____ Those (complete) cyl.heads have indeed SOLD on eBay for at least that amount at least 8 times that I know of (since I started paying attention in 2007), while I believe 3 other 450D-heads sold for between 1000 & 1500 !
The highest price I ever noted that an eBay-seller got for his complete 450D-head (however sold partially parted), was almost 2600 total, (back in March,'07) !
__ I've kept tabs on such because I still happen to have ALL of the NOS parts for completing a 450RT cyl.head !


" My estimate would be $3000 for an entire 450 Desmo engine absolute minimum, and maybe $5000 as what I expect would be a top dollar price for a very nicely reworked high-performance engine in great condition. "

____ In my-own opinion, I'd add 1000 to those figures. _ That's assuming we're talking either a stock-motor with under an hour's use, or, a freshly reworked motor which has been redone by a well-known reputable Duke-engine builder.
The 3000-figure is about the max that could be expected for some-old frozen-up (but complete) 450D-motor left in the roughest of rough.
Parted-out however, I'd expect such a 450D junk-motor to bring-in over 3500 total, (on eBay).


Dukaddy-DUKEs,
-Bob

[krupp13]

By: JimF ...
" It seems to me I have seen Desmo 450 heads (not an engine, just a head) listed (but I can't recall what they sold for or if they sold) for upwards of fifteen hundred dollars. "
____ Those (complete) cyl.heads have indeed SOLD on eBay for at least that amount at least 8 times that I know of (since I started paying attention in 2007), while I believe 3 other 450D-heads sold for between 1000 & 1500 !
The highest price I ever noted that an eBay-seller got for his complete 450D-head (however sold partially parted), was almost 2600 total, (back in March,'07) !


" My estimate would be $3000 for an entire 450 Desmo engine absolute minimum, and maybe $5000 as what I expect would be a top dollar price for a very nicely reworked high-performance engine in great condition. "

____ In my-own opinion, I'd add 1000 to those figures. _ That's assuming we're talking either a stock-motor with under an hour's use, or, a freshly reworked motor which has been redone by a well-known reputable Duke-engine builder.
The 3000-figure is about the max that could be expected for some-old frozen-up (but complete) 450D-motor left in the roughest of rough.


Dukaddy-DUKEs,
-Bob

Bob,

Do you place a difference in price from an RT Desmo Motor to a Mark 3 Desmo motor that have been flowed and all the above modifications????

Thanks!

[DewCatTea-Bob]

" Do you place a difference in price from an RT Desmo Motor to a Mark 3 Desmo motor that have been flowed and all the above modifications???? "

____ Not any really notable difference which would fall outside such a wide estimate-range. _ Although that difference is a real consideration for WHOever the prospective-buyer !
Ya have both 'collector' and 'racer' types who have little choice but to consider whatever's available on the market.
I'd expect that the race-guys would prefer the RT-motor, (for running dual-ignition).
While the Mk3-motor ought better appeal to collectors, (who probably would-not mind engine mods which are not obviously externally apparent).
I-myself would expect a completely stock RT-motor or a highly-modified Mk3-motor to appeal nearer to the bottom of the given range (4000-6000), for those two main-groups.
__ BTW, you didn't mention whether yours is pre or post the point when the 450 bottom-ends were fortified.
I'd expect that the racer-guys would likely prefer the beefed-up motors.


Duke-Cheers,
-Bob

[3564cam]

Hi Guys,
If it helps,I paid the equivalnet of £1150 for a 450 D head complete.
Steve