More Ducati 955SP (916SPa)... Any of them yours?

[955SP]

My take on that is the 955sp had no identity, it was badged as a 916sp and looking exactly like one.

So I will be making mine a proper road going version of the 955 Corsa/AMA bike. if I dont go bancrupt in the process. I am however keeping all original 916sp type parts and body work that was on there and even replacing bits for newer better condition ones so that it could be back to original if I wanted.

[ripper996]

Finally...My 955 SPA is coming home next week. Pictures will definitely be posted from my garage. $1900 purchase price, but you don't want to know how much it cost to rebuild. I went OTT with goodies...he he. The best part is, is that the old lady doesn't know yet!

[955SP]

I paid SOOOOOOOO much more than that for mine (hate you! hate you! hate you!).
However, I think that I might give you a run on mods..

My bike has been delayed and delayed.... But its gonna be finished soon, I hope!

[ripper996]

At last it's finished!!! Dropped by Desmoto Sport today and there it was...wasn't sure if I was looking at Scarlett Johansson or my 955 SPA...both look beautiful. Then Scott fired her up and it wasn't a big titted blond, just a horny Italian mistress to sit next to my other three in my garage! It will definitely be home by Monday night so pictures will follow early next week. The best thing is, is that the missus still doesn't know about her yet. Can't wait for the fireworks...

[MarkG]

Congrats on getting it done. Be sure to post some pics ok?

And wear a pocket recorder when Mrs. Ripper finds out about it, that should be interesting....

[ripper996]

Well, it's here. I didn't get the chance to go into San Francisco to pick it up myself and thought, I'll collect it on Monday. But I couldn't wait, so I had it trailered to me late this evening. I'll take some pictures Saturday and post in a new thread. Even better news was that my old lady was somewhat cool...somewhat!

[ripper996]

Not the best photos. I'll try to take some better ones with a quality camera, but these will do for now.

[MarkG]

Looks great, have it out for a ride yet? Besides what can be seen visually, is anything else mod'ded on it?

[ripper996]

Basically, I ditched a lot and added a lot. What's new are the following:

- 5 Spoke Marchesini's
- Billet Brembo calipers
- Brembo Billet clutch and brake master cylinders
- Ohlins FG43 front forks
- Ducati Performance rear sets
- New SS braided lines
- Ducati Racing seat
- New Carbon Fiber front & rear fenders, airbox & exhaust shield

I kept the old Brembo 3 spoke wheels, the original m/c's, calipers and forks. The original carbon was pretty thrashed. It's now how I want it. I only had chance to ride it for 20 mins on Saturday. The power delivery is super smooth. However, probably because of the G cams, it's quite lumpy around town, but I expected that. Other than that, it's fantastic.

[955SP]

Mine is almost ready!!! Here are the extras that have been added--------->

• Fork is an original Ohlins Superbike fork from a 1995/6 955 Corsa FG9550 with magnesium yokes.
• Calipers are Brembo Monobloc superbike 1 piece, 4 pad with the trailing ti pistons
• Discs are Brembo Corsa 320 for narrow track
• Wheels are almost a one off. I got these from Rob at Pro Twins who persuaded marchesini to send him a set of magnesium narrow track wheels polished and unfinished and have been lacquered so are the original Magnesium colour, unlike the usual gold paint.

The engine is stock, but has magnesium valve covers, cam covers, slave cylinder, clutch housing and I have the mag engine cover though PRO TWINS pretty much refuse to fit it for me as they say it will last 5 minutes and just cause me a nightmare.
Carbon everything that could be including a corsa airbox with the removable inspection sides.

At the rear is the 'standard' swingarm cause I cant seem to find a decent condtion Mag arm (from a Corsa) for the right money at the moment, or at all.
I have a ribbed Ohlins Corsa shock waiting to go on when the arm is found.
Not sure but I think the bike has a 54mm alloy system on it. Ti has to be on hte cards at some stage.




The bodywork and seat are all carbon fibre with the corsa nose with the bigger intakes but only has one light hole cut out and it has an Aussie headlight which does both beams.
We are just waiting for the tank to come back from painting. It is an original corsa carbon fibre flat top tank and is slightly wider than normal and doesn't dip in where the key usually goes. So the key slot for the ignition has been moved into the large vent on the side of the fairing so you just reach down and start it there.
Like this one which Foggy is so kindly modelling:-


Think thats about everything. When its all done I will post some more pics.

[Mr.R]

Originally Posted by 955SP

The engine is stock, but has magnesium valve covers, cam covers, slave cylinder, clutch housing and I have the mag engine cover though PRO TWINS pretty much refuse to fit it for me as they say it will last 5 minutes and just cause me a nightmare

Hi,
This's probably because the magnesium inside the waterpump housing will corrode through pretty quickly and the case only accepts the small race alternator stator.
I've painted the inside of mine with machine gun paint and have found some Mag' friendly coolant, which should overcome this problem.
I've also modified the cover to accept the larger road going stator.
Drop me a PM or E-mail if you're interested in what I've used/done.

Steve

[955SP]

Nearly here now!

[ripper996]

Originally Posted by Mr.R

Hi,
This's probably because the magnesium inside the waterpump housing will corrode through pretty quickly and the case only accepts the small race alternator stator.
I've painted the inside of mine with machine gun paint and have found some Mag' friendly coolant, which should overcome this problem.
I've also modified the cover to accept the larger road going stator.
Drop me a PM or E-mail if you're interested in what I've used/done.

Steve

I fitted mag alt. and engine covers to my SP4. JHP told me that as long as I use a coolent and change it every 9 to 12 months, then it should be OK against wear. Comments or should I be afraid?

[ripper996]

955SP...

It looks great and I'm glad you had the balls to go with that front fairing. I love the tank!

[Mr.R]

Originally Posted by ripper996

I fitted mag alt. and engine covers to my SP4. JHP told me that as long as I use a coolent and change it every 9 to 12 months, then it should be OK against wear. Comments or should I be afraid?

I'd be very afraid if I were you, it's not that the alternator case wears rather it corrodes through from the waterpump housing into the inside of the motor!
I can't think why JHP would tell you otherwise??
I think that they're talking complete bo*lox!
IMO John Hackett is a god but that's more than I can say about some of the 'Numpties' who work at his place, clueless would be a better description...***
It's a VERY well known problem.
I know one guy who drains his coolant out after every trackday and blows the pump housing dry using a hairdryer.
I painted the inside of the pump housing with machine gun barrel paint and now use Motul 'MOTOcool' Factory line Organic+ coolant which's Mag' friendly.
(This was recommended to me by a guy who owns 2 888 Corsa's, he in turn had it recommended to him by a current Ducati factory team race technician).
It seems to be keeping the dreaded Mag eating mice at bay now.
But when I did as JHP have suggested to you they were having a feast inside the pump housing!

Steve

*** I've had them try to tell me that a part doesn't exist (over the phone) when I've been holding the part in it's original Ducati Corsa wrapper in my hand and read them the part number from the label!!!
I also have pictures of the part fitted inside the factory Corsa 888 motors!
"No mate it must be a snide part, it doesn't exist"!
I thought obviously I'm wasting my time talking to you Mr Numpty!