Vol. 1 No. 10 - the Art of the Motorcycle
JANUARY 1, 2022
2021’s catalog of motorcycles is just part of the story. The enthusiasm of owners of these machines has been nothing short of humbling. The bikes you see represented are some of the finest examples to be sold, although that word "sold" is so small.
The passing of these machines from one steward to the next is far more profound than any number on a screen could convey. These bikes have beating hearts that carry from owner to owner.
Moto Borgotaro is proud to have collaborators all around the world from Edinburgh, Minnesota, Australia, Los Angeles, Milan, Umbria, Rome, Borgotaro, Santa Fe, South Carolina, Miami, New Orleans, Germany, and all the way to Japan.
The shop has grown only by its amazing friendships born from the passion of these machines, and fantastic stories. There is no way to express my gratitude for the mentors and friendships that continue to support me into the New Year.
The GUGGENHEIM BIKE… the HOLY GRAIL
The only known example with provenance from new of a Ducati 750SS that has never been ridden or started. This bike's epic journey starts in Pennsylvania at Albert Sigmans Motorcycle, it being one of the 88 that were imported into the US in 1974.
With just 2 verified owners, it came to the attention of motorcycle author Phil Schilling (who started the first “Green Frame” list). This first correspondence from 1997 then lead to the request for the bike to be included in the “Art of the Motorcycle” exhibit at the Guggenheim in New York, and for the next five years, the bike traveled the world and was seen by 1.9 million people. Locked away once more following the exhibit, it found its way to Moto Borgotaro this past year. But this is only part of the story… look for the epic narrative soon on the site!
1978 Ducati 900SS NCR TTF1
The most famous comeback of all time?
Mike Hailwood had not raced a motorcycle in 11 years when he was asked to get back on the saddle to pilot a heavily modified Ducati 900SS built by Bologna team NCR, and prepared by Manchester, UK shop Sports Motorcycles, Hailwood would win the Isle on Man in an epic comeback that reminded the world that with the right rider behind the screen, a Ducati is like no other machine.
This is one of the 12 machines built in the NCR workshop in 1978/1979 and supervised by Fabio Taglioni, this is not a Mike Hailwood replica that would later go into production and become one of Ducati’s best selling machines.
This example was personally ordered by request in 1979 from Japan where it has been fanatically kept and maintained, it being never raced, and never run.
With the special assistance of long-time collaborator Larry Morris of NYCMC of Zushi, Japan, we were able to find the next custodian of this legendary machine. Look for the full story soon on the site.
THE KEITH HALE 1974 DuCATI 750SS
Keith Hale’s 100k mile 750SS now has a new home, but more importantly, this year allowed two best friends (Roberto Serrini & Peter Boggia) to tell another story that hopefully lives up to the man, the bike, and the history of this amazing machine.
Roberto’s amazing documentary “Earned” has had an outpouring of emails and phone calls from owners of Ducati’s in praise of the story, and Roberto’s unique gift as a storyteller.
If you have not watched “Earned” or the great interviews that Roberto has captured I urge you to take 20 minutes and watch the documentary to understand the importance of why we passionate owners and storytellers felt the need to capture this unique machine on film.
THE ONE-FAMILY-OWNED SFC
Sleeping in a garage in Perugia for many many years, and passed from father to son, the “Fiorucci SFC” #17033 is another unique story of love and reverence for the legendary Laverda 750 SFC.
Read author and friend Tim Parker’s story and check out some of the amazing photos from collaborator Alessandro Lozzi here.
