The Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE is quite a special thing. Built by Ducati in 2006 to commemorate British racer Paul Smart's win at the Imola 200 race in 1972, a victory that defined Ducati's future approach to racing, the special edition was styled as a tribute to the Ducati 750 Imola Desmo racing bike that took the chequered flag, and even wears its ‘16’ race number. 

It is one a series of “Sport Classic” bikes built by Ducati in the mid-2000s and created by South African motorcycle designer Pierre Terblanche.

Powered by a 992cc V-Twin with 92bhp, the Ducati was both rapid and characterful, with an incredible engine note and twin sports Termignoni silencers ensuring it was anything but quiet.

Thanks to that classic bubble-shaped styling and interesting heritage, the Sport Classic bikes are today starting to become highly sought-after, and this one represents a rare opportunity.

It's believed that less than 200 of the Paul Smart LEs were sold in the UK, and with less than 5,000 miles on the clock, this one represents a particularly rare and desirable opportunity for its next owner.

The bike was bought new by an enthusiast in Glasgow, in 2006. He kept it for the next four years before it passed on to two owners in the same family.

The last keeper had it for several years and for a while the bike was kept on static display inside his house (for approx 6 years), which is why it has covered such a low mileage during its 16-year life.

The vendor acquired it around two years ago and is a huge enthusiast of sports bikes. Having owned it for some time, he's now ready to move on and try something else.

During his ownership, the Ducati has been kept in the garage and used only occasionally, meaning that it has still covered only 4,871 miles from new.

The bike is supplied with a UK V5C and recently passed an MOT test with only one advisory for a noisy exhaust, but this is a characteristic rather than a fault.

It is supplied with all the original owners manuals, a CD-ROM containing technical details, the original sales brochure and the bill of sale from when the bike was first purchased by its original owner in 2006. In addition, there's a receipt detailing service work less than 500 miles ago by a well-known motorcycle specialist.

The most distinctive thing about the Ducati is its styling, which is gloriously retro. Its rounded bubble-style half-fairing and café racer tail section are reminiscent of the race-winning 750 Imola Desmo, while a green-finished frame, outboard dampers and wire spoked rims with special Brembo performance brakes complete the look.

The chassis consists of a tubular steel trellis, whilst for the suspension, an Öhlins 43 mm upside-down fully-adjustable fork is used for the front while a fully-adjustable monoshock (also from Öhlins) is mounted on the left side of the rear wheel. 

The bodywork is in good order, with the frame, forks, handlebars and mudguards all in near perfect condition, with no signs of any scuffs, scratches or accident damage. The saddle, tyres and mudguards are also in fine order with no issues to report.

The frame and engine numbers confirm its originality, while the instrument cluster works as intended and all the warning lights come on and extinguish as they should.

  

The Paul Smart 1000 LE is powered by a 992 cc 90° V-twin air-cooled engine with Marelli injectors on a 45mm throttle body, connected to a six-speed transmission. 

According to the vendor, it is in great mechanical condition and it fires up straight away, settling to a smooth and characterful idle with that unmistakable and charming V-twin noise.

With a full service carried out less than 50 miles ago and such a tiny mileage to begin with, it's no surprise to discover that it's in great mechanical order and the vendor reports that the brakes and electrics are also in perfect working condition.

This is a wonderful bike as it manages to combine the usability and comfort of a modern motorcycle with the looks and style of a classic sports bike.

It's also one that commemorates a great period in Ducati's history and in that of motorcycle racing, and is a great tribute to the late Paul Smart, who sadly passed away late last year.

Not only is it a terrific thing to look at and to ride, but it also promises to be a really good and safe investment for the future.


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