So the other day I’m scrolling through old motorcycle ads online when this Ducati 916 pops up. Looked beat up but had that special Senna sticker. Immediately thought, “Wait, is this THE Ayrton Senna tribute bike?” Messaged the seller same night.
The Hunt Begins
Drove three hours to some rusty garage outside the city next morning. Guy opens these creaky doors and bam – there she sits, covered in cobwebs. Frame looked bent, fairings cracked, even had moss growing in the exhaust pipes. Paid cash right there after checking the VIN matched Senna edition records.
Garage Nightmare Time
Got it home and started tearing it apart. Found way more problems than expected:
- Engine sounded like marbles in a blender when cranked
- Electrical system was totally fried – rats chewed every single wire
- Front forks leaked like crazy, puddle forming overnight
Almost gave up after spending weeks just fixing wiring alone. My wife definitely threatened divorce twice during this phase.
Rebirth of a Legend
Eventually tracked down original 1994 spec sheets through some Italian motorcycle forum. Learned why this beast matters:
- Those signature undertail exhaust pipes weren’t just for looks – changed weight distribution
- Senna actually helped tweak the riding position before he died
- Only 300 made worldwide with his signature on the gas tank
Managed to rebuild it using period-correct parts over six brutal months. First startup nearly blew out my garage windows.
Now I finally get why old-timers worship this bike. That brutal engine roar makes your ribs vibrate. Leaning into corners feels like the bike’s reading your mind. Rode it to a bike meet last weekend – grown men actually cried seeing it in person. Total money pit but now I understand: legends aren’t built overnight, and damn sure don’t restore themselves.
