RicoSuave: I love the Ducati, am thinking about picking one up this spring? We'll see.
The old ones are a labor of love, to be sure. I sold an old BMW airhead I refurbished to buy the SS because I have never owned one. Since I like to wrench, there was a lot to learn. Just got done with timing belts, a weeping left engine cover, and a new clutch slave.
It seems worth it though. Probably not a great daily rider, but kind of fun having the two-wheeled equivalent of a Ferrari in the garage.