"Never broke into a car, never hot-wired a car. Never broke into a truck. 'I shall not cause harm to any vehicle nor the personal contents thereof, nor through inaction let the personal contents thereof come to harm' It's what I call the Repo Code, kid!”
-Bud, Repo Man, Alex Cox Dir, 1984“
From Lance Lau:
Seven years. Four months. That's how long my 2004 Ducati Multistrada 1000 DS was gone. It was stolen from in front of my Fishtown, Philadelphia home on April 7th, 2019, at approximately 3:00 AM, one year to the day since I’d purchased it, and like most stolen motorcycles, it simply disappeared. After months of dead ends, and more than a little indifference from local authorities, I accepted that it was gone forever.
Against all odds, though, through a chain of events that's almost impossible to believe, I got it back. On July 5th, 2026, I saw what looked like my 2004 Multistrada 1000DS on Facebook Marketplace. And, after building a small coalition of the willing, and crafting what can broadly be described as a concept of a plan, a sequence of events unfolded that would make for a fine Repo Man sequel.
Long story short, I arranged to meet the ‘seller’, who was likely not the original thief but had listed the Multi from an anonymous burner account with a fake name. I brought along a friend, ready to take necessary action, despite my serious infirmaries, and met the fraudster in front of a dive bar that we could, if needed, recruit some backup muscle. After a few minutes of small talk and inspecting the bike, and ensuring it was mine, I held out my hand to shake his, while leaning on a shilelagh-esque stick I was using as a cane, and said, “Thank you for returning my bike. It was stolen from me on April 7th, 2019. I’d given up hope that I’d ever get it back,” while pulling the title from my pocket for him to inspect. His jaw dropped to the ground, he sputtered and feigned ignorance, and after being told ‘don’t worry, the police have been called and are on the way.’ He accepted my generous offer of $100 to get the fuck out of here, and the bike was mine…again.
Unfortunately, time in captivity hasn’t been kind to the Multistrada 1000DS. After sitting uncovered in the sun and elements for the better part of 7+ years, the finish is thoroughly trashed and anything steel on the bike now has a patina of rust. The Ducati needs extensive work, and myriad components before I can ride it again. And the complex part is, so do I.
I am a veteran of both the US Army and the moto industry and have worked in artisan woodworking for years. Since 2023, I've been battling a series of work- related injuries and serious illnesses that have left me unable to work and essentially homebound. Financially and physically, restoring the motorcycle simply isn't possible on my own. Yet this project has become something much bigger than fixing an old Ducati. For me, it's about recovery, perseverance, and proving that sometimes the impossible happens. It is both a motorcycle and a personal restoration. And I’d greatly appreciate you coming along for the ride.
I'm inviting fellow riders, enthusiasts, friends, and anyone who appreciates an incredible comeback story to become part of this journey.
Your contribution will help fund mechanical and cosmetic restoration and replacement parts, and the countless little pieces that bring a machine, and its owner, back to a semblance of the life they once led.
Everyone who joins the effort will receive regular progress updates as the project unfolds. Supporters will also receive exclusive "Save the Duc" swag and will be invited to the unveiling celebration in Philadelphia when the bike finally returns to the road where it belongs. We hope to work with an industry publication for documenting this endeavor.
Seven years ago, someone stole and disgraced this motorcycle, and I am looking for good people to help me bring it back to life. Thank you for believing in second chances, for motorcycles and for people. With gratitude, Lance.
#SaveTheDuc26
#DucatiRecovery26
