Looking for a 900SS

**MGP2008** · 01 May 08, 01:31 PM

Hi new to the forum and from the Isle of Man.

I've always wanted a bevel 900SS and I've been told of one that's been mostly unused for 10 years although it is a runner.

As I know very little about these bikes can anyone tell me what to look out for in a pre-purchase inspection and test ride. Its a 78 black genuine SS which is original apart from the dodgy standard alloy wheels.

I've been riding german and old brit stuff for years so obvious mechanical problems will not be difficult to discover. I'm just concerned about any problems that well used versions of this model in particular suffer from.

Finally (a how long is a piece of string question) what price range are far from concours 900SS's in? I've seen plenty of dealer prices around £10k but this one looks a bit more of a restoration project.

**Imola Duke** · 04 May 08, 08:51 AM

Welcome MGP2008

Bevels are fetching big money.... On ebay there is a 900ss mhr up for
10k

Mr R / Steve will be along shortly

.........with all the info you have requested.

**Mr.R** · 04 May 08, 03:47 PM

Hi,
900SS Bevels knock out the bigends with alarming regularity when used hard.
When they were new I worked as a Ducati mechanic and the avarage bigend life was around 13-15,000 miles!
I have known of some that have lasted in the 20,000+ region and one that's still going at 40,000 + miles.
But these are very rare.
These motors take a bit more care/knowledge to put together than your average Brit or German motor.
If the bigend goes and the bikes not stopped at the 1st sign of even the faintest knocking, the resulting mess can wreck a lot of the internals as the oil filtration is almost none exsistant and the hardened steel from the bigend pin/needle rollers spray straight up the bores.
At the very least you'd probably need new pistons, rebore (Or new cylinder liners) oilpump along with a new bigend/rod kit.
If you can't do the rebuild yourself it's not unknown to get a bill for more than £5,000.
They're great bikes to ride and own but if used can keep you VERY POOR!!!
As old classic Ducati's have become more popular and people are buying old singles, it's been found that bikes that have stood for some years suffer from the main bearing tracks rusting, it doesn't stop them being started up but it'll shag the motor pretty quickly.
As the twins are really only a double single on a common crankcase, I feel that they will suffer from the same trouble...
So any bike found that's been laying around for a few years will probably need stripping and having the mains changed at the very least...
You'll need at least one special tool to do this job, the flywheel puller I doubt that they're available anymore, even if you could find one it would cost you at least one limb!
The DOCGB has a tool hire scheme for members, so if you take the plunge it's worth joining just for that.
There's also a lot of knowledge in the club.

Steve

**ZZZZZ** · 17 May 08, 08:57 PM

I got one not run for 17years!!! ignition u/s, have seen some bikes with high milages, see Classic bike from memory Phil Nutt 80000 miles. I have home designed flywheel puller better than factory tool. Been offered 4k as it is by dealer, they are going back to Italy. Do have knowledge if interested tel 07788510474

Regards Z

**MGP2008** · 17 May 08, 09:12 PM

Bought one yesterday
P1000223.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

**Mr.R** · 18 May 08, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZZZZZ

I got one not run for 17years!!! ignition u/s, have seen some bikes with high milages, see Classic bike from memory Phil Nutt 80000 miles. I have home designed flywheel puller better than factory tool. Been offered 4k as it is by dealer, they are going back to Italy. Do have knowledge if interested tel 07788510474

Regards Z

Hi Z,
I've covered over 130,000 miles on mine, I've lost count of the amount of times I've rebuilt her.
There used to be a quite well know owner who's initials were Z.Z. he used to write for Bike magazine would you be that ZED?

Steve

**Mr.R** · 18 May 08, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGP2008

Bought one yesterday
P1000223.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Nice looking example, a real bonus having had it's wheels changed already.

Steve

**MGP2008** · 18 May 08, 01:03 PM

Thanks Steve,

Any recommendation on oil? I assume not multigrade. The owner of this one has used 40 monograde but I see Ducati originally recommended 50.

As a big miles rider what have you used?

MGP

**jbird** · 18 May 08, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.R

Nice looking example, a real bonus having had it's wheels changed already.

Steve

from what to spokes, im getting worried now, im not going to have collapsable wheels am i????

**Mr.R** · 18 May 08, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbird

from what to spokes, im getting worried now, im not going to have collapsable wheels am i????

Jbird,
The original Magnesium wheels are coming up 30 years old now I wouldn't want to use them.
I've had 2 sets crack up over the years, one front wheel and a crack radiating out from every disc bolt hole!!
Steve Wynne once said that he wouldn't want to sit on a bike in the showroom that was fitted with a pair of old speedlines...

Steve

**Mr.R** · 18 May 08, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGP2008

Thanks Steve,

Any recommendation on oil? I assume not multigrade. The owner of this one has used 40 monograde but I see Ducati originally recommended 50.

As a big miles rider what have you used?

MGP

Straight 40 or 50 in really hot weather.
Silkolene Chatsworth or Rock Oil Classic 40, Castrol GP50, Morris Supreme 40 or 50...
I use Rock Oil TRM but I have a dry clutch conversion on my bike, it maybe a bit too slippery for a wet clucth that's prone to slipping anyway.

Steve

**ZZZZZ** · 22 May 08, 08:23 PM

Mr R/ MPG2008,
No I,m not Zed who used to write in a mag years ago, just a Ducati owner enthusiast from years ago. First bought a new GTS in 77 with all the cash I had only to be badly let down by the dealer, now a BMW expert!!!! This was my only transport so I became adept at keeping the beast on the road. Rode quite a few miles without a clutch, interesting. Remember going to rally with 95% BMW owners who promptly took the ****. Strangly these machines which vibrated like mad at tick over and regularly fell over off their narrow stands could not get near my bike on the road. I could really chuck this bike around,think it is fitted with the strongest/ridgid frame ever made. Bought my SS in 80 something, when't to TT in 91, Glos to Haysham in 2hours 40mins!! Ignition failed back in Gloshire. Never moved since. Still love Dukes although the later generations of owners tend to be a load of poseing *****s in my opinion. Nither do I go along with the idea that all things Ducati were made by God, along with great engineering there is real ****e too and reliability is not a great feature.
Your bike Mr MPG looks great, they can be made to go very well I have the list of mods done by German engineer Bohor I think he got 145MPH out of the bike, hope you have some good times with her. Can't decide what to do with mine sell or restore. Was going to sell the prillia till I rode it again yesterday, someone from MCN said they were old and past it etc, well if my Factory R is past it, fair play!!! The fing bike WAS made by God.
Regards Z