READER RIDE STOLEN!!!! PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!

"SantaRita" (SantaRita)
08/07/2013 at 10:06 • Filed to: None

I wish I had some super secret spy tip, or specs on the BRZ STI, but instead i am writing to you for some help and support.

Last night my younger brother's 1998 Ducati motorcycle was stolen off the street in Washington DC. As you know, most bikes are never found, never returned, and recoveries are a very low priority for law enforcement. We could really use your help finding her. You have a much louder voice and far more eyes that we do. I do not have deep pockets, but i will give a cash reward and a case of GOOD beer to info that leads to this bike's recovery.

Some background on this bike, it's a 1998 ducati 900SS. At some point it was in hurricane floods in florida and after that my brother bought it sight unseen and began pouring his time and efforts into making it whole again. He could have bought a new bike, but this bike was a birthday gift to himself and distraction from sadness in his personal life. Ressurecting it is meaningful to him, an extension of his emotional healing, and so he has been spending his time making it right again. Her name is Daisy Duc.

At first, the bike barely would run and it needed...nearly everything...it had been modified by a previous owner and although it looked good, most of the modifications were half-assed and the rest didn't work. My kid brothers replaced the broken seat, rebuilt the carbs, rewired the entire front half, installed working hand and foot controls, dealt with loads of electrical gremlins, added new decals, rebuilt the entire braking system, fixed an exhaust header that banged against the rear shock, chain and sprokets, fluids....basically he'd gone through 5 months of rehabilitation from top to bottom.

Myself and another brother have gone to DC to resurrect it with him and so it has become like a family member to us. We're all invested emotionally. Mechanically, he finally made it to solid ground about five weeks ago and began the tagging process for a flood salvage bike which is likewise tedious.

He still had to get it legal and the state could easily just say 'no' since it was titled as it was. All the while the municipal part of his journey has been likewise wrought with oppression and hurdles. It took nearly six weeks for him to get the bike re-certified as street legal because with a flood title it had three extra hoops to jump through, and the few people who can re-certify it were on vacation when he finally got it mechanically and electrically safe and clean.

Last week he was finally able to get it tagged in DC after untold efforts.

Last night it was stolen from the street.

DISCUSSION (83)

More Power!!and also some brakes. > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:08

Shit!! That sucks man. I am really sorry to hear that and hope you get it back!!
I know that feeling but I never got mine back.

desertdog5051 > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:14

I feel both of you's pain. If I lost my bike, I would be heartbroken. Best of luck to you both. I love Duc's.

McMike > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:20

I just checked the DC and Baltimore CL for parts, nothing yet.

I also just stuck my head out the window on D street SW, and didn't see anything.

That sucks.

SantaRita > McMike
08/07/2013 at 10:21

too soon probably.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:22

I'll spread the word to my friends down south.

ThatbastardKurtis > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:23

DC you say? Chances are that bike is either in PG County, MD or Northern VA...I'm going with PG County. So, alert the PG County police as well as Montgomery Co, MD.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:25

Will keep in eye out in NoVa. Tag number? In case they left it on?

JJohn > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:25

As a victim of bike theft myself, good luck. It is quite heart breaking when this happens. I will keep an eye open around my parts, further south.

NipperDawg > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:26

I feel for you. I had three bikes stolen (one twice) here in the NY area. I want to get another bike but don't want to spend money on someone elses ride. Here in NYC they steal them and ride them unregistered or insured since they are almost impossible to stop.

AddMustard > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:26

I had a bike stolen that was recovered, so there's always hope.

ACCEL_ENG > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:26

That bike is so pretty it could be my wall paper... Good luck!

Jalopniks... SPread this to every other forum and website you can possibly fathom.

I will spread the word in Ohio....

Find the bike!!

RevvingKevin > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:26

that is a gorgeous bike... goodluck, I hope it's found!

Known As E > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:31

I'm in NoVa as well...what area of DC was it taken?

UncleWalty > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:32

That is a beautiful Duc. Hope you find it!

McMike > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:36

Yeah....

You would think criminals would be smart enough these days not to list it (or parts) on their local CL, but it still happens.. Still hope.

Collin > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:38

If you can find its location via Craigslist, I vote that DC area Jalops get together and teach the thief (thieves?) a very convincing lesson in why you don't steal someone's Ducati.

Egg > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:39

Kinja'd!!!

SantaRita > Known As E
08/07/2013 at 10:42

i dont know the city very well, but it was downtown

nugu > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:42

I love these kinds of Ducati's and so I'll volunteer to keep an eye on most of AA county in MD that I travel through. I also work in PG county (yeah)...so will have some of that covered as well.

Blaquer > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:43

I know the feeling - mine was stolen from the third floor of my "secure, gated apartment complex" and even video footage wasn't enough to locate the thieves. Police said the bike was not distinctive enough to be recognizeable. Hoping your lovely custom will yield better results!

Kinja'd!!!

TDIDriver > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:46

Since I am from MN, there is not much I can do other than continue looking at my local CL ads everyday like I have been. I will definitely notice if it pops up here, because that is exactly the kind of bike that I am looking for. I hope that you guys find it. I hate that people feel they are entitled to take things that aren't theirs just because they failed HS and can't afford their own stuff.

If there is anything that any of us can do, let us know. Jalops love our 2-wheeled brethren as our own.

horspowr1001 > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:49

Posted on several social media sites, I hope you get her back!

SantaRita > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:50

I really do hope there is a happy ending to this tale. I'll keep everyone updated...

SantaRita > ACCEL_ENG
08/07/2013 at 10:52

it IS my wallpaper....!

SantaRita > horspowr1001
08/07/2013 at 10:53

Thank you!

EC > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:56

Track, hunt down, and maim the person or person(s) who stole that guys bike.

You can fuck my wife. Kick my dog. Eat my food. Touch my bike, you're a gawd damn dead man.

Jeremy H formerly Kalakaboooom > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 10:59

I work in Arlington so I will definitely keep an eye out. Hopefully the person who took it is dumb enough to try to ride it around, because that bike will stand out immediately, and that will help it get back to you even quicker.

mr_gofast > Collin
08/07/2013 at 10:59

tarred and feathered i say - with a judicous shot to the sac as well.

Joaosr > Known As E
08/07/2013 at 11:00

MM3432 4th street NW, just south of H. across from GAO

Joaosr > Joaosr
08/07/2013 at 11:01

MM3432

JoeDapper > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:06

Gorgeous bike, I hope he gets it back for real. and maybe the thieves wind up with broken kneecaps.

SantaRita > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:08

Stolen From 300 Massachussets Ave off the street, plug wires taken off so probably taken with a van or truck...Plate is MM3432

Douglas Sonders > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:08

i live in the dc area. spreading to my crew

SantaRita > Douglas Sonders
08/07/2013 at 11:09

thank you, we need all the help we can!

dreadpirateroberts > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:11

I live and work in D.C. Please ask your brother for the cross-streets where he parked the bike. While I agree that it is possible that the thiefs were from a nearby county, it is also possible that they are still in the city.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:12

Those Thieving BASTARDS!!!!!!!

The ass-clown that took the bike, AND the beaurocratic bone-heads that obstructed the re-cert process, pretty much the entire DC thieving culture.

I am very far away, but I am myself a big fan of Ducati 900SS/CR, and would choose one of those over many newer and more expensive Ducs, myself.

This was a gorgeous bike, and obviously a labor of love.

All my best wishes and hopes that the bike is found and returned, like the VW Beetle that Jalops found before.

They used to hang, or shoot horse thieves. That seems humane for any sub-human vile enough to mess with another man's vehicle, especially clearly a beloved hobby project vehicle.

G30rge > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:13

Postin it up on FB. My heart goes out to you, hope its found.

SantaRita > dreadpirateroberts
08/07/2013 at 11:15

300 Massachusets Ave is where it was...we appreciate any help you can give!

ZachL > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:15

Beautiful bike. There is a special place in hell for bike thieves.

horspowr1001 > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:16

Somebody post it on reddit yet?

Sky Blue > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:16

Stupid bastards that do this shit piss me off. They will rot in hell for the shit they do to innocent good people. I really hope you guys can find it soon before it's all gone.

dreadpirateroberts > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:21

I know exactly where that is - not exactly a safe area, but not a warzone either. Very fringe. There is a possibility that the bike is still in Northeast quadrant of the city, just by virtue of proximity. I will keep my eyes open for it. It's not too common to see a dual headlight Ducati with a gold suspension around these parts (which is good news for you). Do you have a tag, or at least a partial tag?

SantaRita > dreadpirateroberts
08/07/2013 at 11:23

Tag is mm3432...JUST tagged so...expires next september....

SaumE > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:26

Kinja'd!!!

SaumE > SaumE
08/07/2013 at 11:28

I'm brother number 2. Here are more recent pics.

For those browsing on craigslist...

Most notable parts to be parted out are dual undertail exhaust, woodcraft rearsets, gold rear sprocket and chain, and ducati 999 tail.

THANKS EVERYONE

SantaRita > SaumE
08/07/2013 at 11:40

thats with the newer tail...

ament001 > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 11:42

Amazing job on that SS. Best of luck in the recovery. At least it is a very noticeable bike. Probably should post this info to Ducati.ms as well since they will be very likely to keep an eye peeled for a fellow rider.

SantaRita > ament001
08/07/2013 at 11:53

already done, we're taking every avenue available to us!

Nordicus > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 12:09

Please go on Reddit and upvote this sucker. I know the owner as well and he's seriously broken up (as to be expected). http://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/…

klurejr > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 12:13

What a gorgeous bike. I really hope he gets it back.

OzzyOnIce > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 12:32

dunno about that. A bike teardown does not take long at all. especially if you're pulling it apart with no concern for putting it back together. i'd guess 4 hours down to the frame. 6 if they were being lazy.

Poundingsand > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 12:43

They could have swapped it. Any way to read the plate in the pic?

Poundingsand > Nordicus
08/07/2013 at 12:44

For us Reddit-iots, how do you up-vote?

UKPDXWRX > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 12:47

It's possible it may turn up relatively unharmed. I've had a car stolen before that was returned within several blocks of the scene of the crime a couple days later - the reason being that temporarily depriving someone of their vehicle (under three days or something) does not qualify as grand theft auto. It's still a crime but a far lesser one than GTA - so if they get caught they're looking at probation instead of federal prison.

AKA - hopefully it's being taken for a joyride. Unlikely but it's possible.

Nordicus > Nordicus
08/07/2013 at 12:51

Click the up arrow next to the headline and above the number. :)

twoversion > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 13:47

http://twoversion.com/find-this-bike…

SantaRita > Nordicus
08/07/2013 at 13:47

definitely appreciate it.

SantaRita > twoversion
08/07/2013 at 13:51

we appreciate the support! thank you!

Kugelblitz > ThatbastardKurtis
08/07/2013 at 13:52

MoCo resident and former rider. will keep an eye out, I had my Suzuki stolen from my driveway in College Park. The thief was caught riding it in DC, which surprised the DC police no end. He even lowsided it into a bus while not wearing a helmet and was uninjured. Bike totaled. Community service. Life is not fair.

I really hope your story parallels the VW recovery story here earlier this summer.

Good luck.

SantaRita > Poundingsand
08/07/2013 at 13:55

that is to say this is our bike, just that we replaced the seat recently and the new seat has white on it.

ThatbastardKurtis > Kugelblitz
08/07/2013 at 13:59

I live in AA Co, and a lot of sport bikes are stolen from here (Annapolis area) and end up in PG county. Hopefully dude gets his bike back. Due to the fact that it's a Duc, there might be hope, because it's rare...he might want to check on Craigslist as well...or have the police check on Craigslist...because a lot of times, the perps will steal a bike and try to flip it on there.
Sucks about your Suzuki.

J_E_C > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 14:08

Good luck guys, I hope you have some time alone with the perps in a windowless room with a roll of duct tape, a 10 pound sledgehammer, and a bucket of rusty railway spikes.

Also, compliments to your brother for building a very cool custom Supersport from a basket case. Looks great. I hope he gets reunited with it asap before some bottom feeder starts fucking with it.

-JC, long time 916 owner.

David&Goliath > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 14:14

Your stats. are off about 'most bikes never being found'. Quite the contrary, Chicago for example, has a recovery rate of something like 85% within the first 48 hours. Afterwards rates drop significantly however.

Fiatjustitiaetpereatmundus > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 14:29

Reposting and will keep an eye out. Hope you find it soon and unscarred.

Poundingsand > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 14:29

Oh! I thought someone spotted this bike, and you were saying it wasn't it, because it has the new(er model) tail. Bummer. Got it now...

alan666 > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 15:28

Hope it gets found.

TwoWheelsAmazing > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 15:32

Damn that is the worst turn of events I've ever heard. I own a 1999 Supersport myself and that one makes me jealous. That tail section is so much better looking. That's my biggest fear with leaving my bike anywhere. Hope you all find it in one piece.

The Enigmatic Zer0 > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 16:39

Dang, I hope you find it man; I have a 749S that I keep locked up tighter than a tick's ass. I'm all the way out in New York but I'll be scouring DC's Craigslist to keep an eye out.

Nordicus > horspowr1001
08/07/2013 at 16:45

It's on reddit. http://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/…

alan666 > alan666
08/07/2013 at 16:47

I am in the UK so there is little i can do to help, i have linked to this on a couple of sites i am on where there are people from the USA though.

hiphopapotomas > horspowr1001
08/07/2013 at 18:01

Its on r/motorcycles

El Janni > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 18:11

Mad props on the bike. Damnation and shame on the thieves. I re-posted on f/b so my DC friends can keep an eye out. I hope you guys get her back!

ADMlN > SantaRita
08/07/2013 at 20:54

GPS ever heard of it...
Mini Real Time GPRS GSM GPS Tracker For Bike Vehicle Motorcycle price= $33

screename_today > SantaRita
08/08/2013 at 00:25

Sorry for what happened.

Bikes are easy to steal... even if you are proud of it, better cover it and use a good lock.

Dsscats > SantaRita
08/08/2013 at 01:35

Felt the need to repost: Plate is MM3432

Dsscats > SantaRita
08/08/2013 at 01:35

Kinja'd!!!

Plate is MM3432

Turk > ZachL
08/08/2013 at 08:36

I've said the same thing for other friends who've been through this. Despite years of fairly careless parking I haven't had to join that victim's club yet... but I did always tell myself I buy ugly bikes for a reason.

Not to make light of this. That bike is gorgeous and I know the effort it takes to resurrect a bike previously left to sit and rot. I'm a little too far south to likely be much help, but if my CL window-shopping turns out an overly gorgeous duc or overly gorgeous duc parts I'll be sure to raise a flag...

SantaRita > screename_today
08/08/2013 at 09:27

It was on on the street halfway into getting new plugs. so it shouldn't have been able to have been started without some effort.

We think it was tossed in a van/truck and hauled off, but not sure. We are working on trying to get video form nearby gov't building(accountability office, i think) or nearby traffic cameras, but these offices are uncooperative with us.

SantaRita > ADMlN
08/08/2013 at 10:24

good advice, but a little late. The electrics on this bike were haphazard at the beginning and getting this far was a trial . We were just able to get signals, horn and lights going so nothing as exotic as heated grips or GPS was on the table yet because so much of the wiring had to be redone from scratch. A GPS box would be pretty obvious on this totally open and naked bike anyway. but you know that.

Irene Marie > SantaRita
08/08/2013 at 11:02

Passing along a comment from the DC reddit post about this:

You need to go back to the location right now and stand where your bike was. Look all around for any building that may have security cameras and contact whoever you need to to find out if they do. Normally this would be the police investigator's job, but like what happened to me they most likely won't give two shits about grand theft auto.

I waited a few months before I was back at the scene of my motorcycle's theft and notice that there was a camera pointing DIRECTLY to where my bike was. The business owning the camera was very willing to provide me with footage but they only store it for 30 days

w1ck3dme > SantaRita
08/08/2013 at 21:35

I'll keep a eye out on montgomery county and pg county. I hope you get it back unmolested.

Orange Exige > SantaRita
08/09/2013 at 00:48

This is entirely repetitive, but I don't even care...

That's a gorgeous bike. Best of luck getting it back.

I hope to see a positive follow-up article soon.

SantaRita > Irene Marie
08/09/2013 at 09:25

Thanks for the great advice, we're trying to work with the Government building across the street and, ironically, the Fraternal order of Police Lodge directly adjacent to where the bike was parked.

The accountability office has at least returned my calls but will require the DC police to request the video...national security and all that...but if we get anything we'll be closer than we were.