1984 BIMOTA KB3 TRICOLORE (KAWASAKI DUCATI MV AGUSTA KTM)

This 1984 Bimota KB3 was built by well-known author/editor and track day instructor Nick Ienatsch of Motorcyclist and SportRider magazine fame for his personal ride. It was featured in the September 1992 issue of Motorcyclist Magazine under their “HEAVY ARTILLERY” feature banner (copy included with the sale). It is a stunning example of what the Bimota factory produced with a “few” upgrades and updates from the early 1990’s. If you wanted to go fast back “in the day”, r for that matter today, his bike will do it without all the electronic wizardry so common on today’s sport bikes. I bought it from Nick about four years ago after he had kept it in storage for quite a few years. The bike does not have a speedometer or odometer so I do not know how many miles are on it, ut judging from its condition and the way it runs, t is a relatively low mile motorcycle.

While the bike’s foundation is the well known and acclaimed Bimota external trellis chassis, ick upgraded it with PM wheels (17” front and 18” rear – the “hot” setup at the time), M brakes, Works Performance Ultrasport custom shock and a near 140HP 1260cc KZ engine built by Gatlin Racing along with a host of other details. Tires are older Dunlop SportMax II’s that should be replaced for any serious riding. The engine has all the good stuff: MTC cylinder, orted heads with oversize intake valves and dual plugs, ebcam cams, isco pistons, alicon crank, PE cam chain tensioner, 8mm Mikuni smooth bore flat slide carbs, ack cut trans gears, tc. Only the best was used. But even with all that, he bike starts right up, nd idles smoothly and is amazingly tractable around town. The heavy duty clutch has been converted to a PMF hydraulic unit and requires a heavy hand. Shifting is tight and requires a deliberate effort, ut you won’t miss a shift even when hard on the gas.

The bodywork is generally in very nice condition and paint/gelcoat is excellent throughout. There are a few spots that show some minor spider webbing but nothing significant, nd a tiny chip here or there. These are all very minor and you would need to look extremely closely to see them, ut they are there (see pics). The worst cosmetic issue is a chip in the paint about the size of a pencil eraser on the top of the rear section of the seat cowl area that was touched up. You can see it in the pics if you look carefully. The turn signals do not work (not sure why) and have been disconnected, nd the bike does not have a horn (thought you should know). To the best of my knowledge, verything else works.

The bike was serviced about 500 miles ago with an oil change, rake and clutch fluid change and valve adjustment. I just installed (mid-May ‘16) a new Duracell AGM battery that has a two year full replacement warranty. The engine starts easily and runs well and the bike is a blast to ride. (I just did a 2-? hour ride on it this past week.) Whenever the bike was going to sit more than a couple of weeks, always drained the gas tank and carburetor float bowls to prevent any corrosion issues. It is air/oil cooled and easy to work on with easy top end access from above given the wrap around frame (see pics), nd it is carbureted so you can work on it easily without a computer – not that I’ve had to do anything major – it is a well dialed in motorcycle. The custom exhaust with Supertrapp muffler sounds wonderful, nd I don’t think there has ever been a more beautiful Bimota made! I prefer limited electronic gadgetry, nd this bike fits the bill perfectly.

As an ex-AMA pro racer from the 70’s, wish I had had a bike like this earlier in my life. It is a blast to ride, ut it can be brutal as well. Because I have a bad back, ssuming “the position” is quite painful for me, o for most of my ownership, have ridden it with the fairing removed, nd a set of higher “sport bars” from a Honda CBX installed along with small chin fairing (see pics) that are included in the sale. It only takes an hour or two to remove the fairing and switch the bars. This made the bike far more comfortable for an old guy to ride, nd I have ridden it I would guess 40 to 50 hours during my ownership. (The bike does not have a speedometer or an odometer so I try and track hours instead.) Guessing I have put about 2000-2500 miles on it, ostly on back roads around Sedona and Flagstaff Arizona. This is NOT a bike for beginners, ut it will provide you with a lot of fun if you know how to ride it. I am simply getting too old to take full or even partial advantage.

In the early 1980’s, imotas could be purchased as complete from the factory motorcycles or as frame/chassis kits. I believe this bike came originally in kit form for an SB4 (Suzuki powered). The KB3 and SB4 shared the same frame and chassis components but used different (and interchangeable) engine mounts depending on the engine used. Thus the frame and VIN number SB4*00107*. When I bought the bike from Nick, asked him if he knew the specific history, nd, hile he had been able to trace the bike back to the company that sold it here in the US (The Performance Works – no longer in business), either he nor I were able to confirm its original configuration.

This is a very nice motorcycle, ut it is a USED motorcycle that is over 30 years old and it is NOT perfect. It is sold as is where is with NO warranty, O guaranty or any other kind of ”–ty”. The motorcycle has an Arizona title in my name with no liens so no issues there. Also, he rear wheel stand is NOT included in the auction, ut the bike has a side stand so there shouldn't be an issue there. I also have a few misc spares that will be included. If you have questions email me at “wallaman at cox dot net” or call me at (six zero two)-373-one five one four. I’m in Arizona and we’re on California time now (no daylight savings time here).

I will facilitate shipping, ut Buyer must make arrangements for pick up and pay for any shipping costs. Pick up must be arranged within two weeks of the auction’s end. If you care to inspect the bike before the auction ends, ive me a call or send me an email to make arrangements. I live near the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport and would be happy to pick you up if you would like to fly in for an inspection.

Terms: $2,000 non-refundable deposit (Paypal) within 48 hours of sale. Balance due within 7 days. Balance must be paid with certified funds (bank check), r bank wire transfer (preferred). NO Paypal ON BALANCE. Bike will be released on confirmation of funds and must be picked up within two weeks of sale. Any questions, lease ask BEFORE the close of the auction!

Also published at eBay.com