Question about a Duc 900SS
 

I know there's a few of you on the bbs (Shawn, Jeff, etc.). There's one on the market not too far from me that is essentially bone stock, 10k miles, good rubber, newer belts, etc. Owner indicates no frame cracks (steering head and oil filter mount...the usual suspects). Bike appears quite clean and only issue he indicated is a rough idle...indicated as carb cleaning needed. Did some research and his price is high (asking $4500), so don't want to risk getting in too deep, especially if there's a few issues under the skin.

Anything else I should look for? Trouble spots? It's a 95 SS/SP. Here's a pic...and thanks.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1303936929.jpg

That is at least half again what a stock '95 is worth even with low miles and in great shape. It would have to have some substantial upgrades, with some desireable parts, to be worth that much. Stuff like FCR carbs, improved exhaust, aftermarket brake and clutch master cylinders, slave cylinder on the clutch, etc.

The oil filter screws into the bottom of the motor. I'm not sure I have ever heard of its "mount" cracking. The frames do crack around the neck, mostly from slamming down from too many wheelies.

Biggest problem areas are in the clutch slave cylinder and the charging system. If it still has the stock slave, it's about to fail. They all fail. Good aftermarket ones are about $150-$200 or so, so that isn't a deal breaker. The alternator is a different story. They are kind of spendy.

At 10,000 miles, it should have had the valves adjusted. This is low enough milage to where they are still seating in, and require adjustment. Make sure that has been done very recently. It's a PIA to do, and spendy to have a dealer do it.

Look for oil leaks between the heads and barrels. These have no gaskets, and the o-rings sealing the oil return passages are prone to leak. The horizontal cylinder can be easily repaired on the bike, but the vertical requires engine removal. This can also indicate broken head studs, just like our cars. They are known for that as well.

If he will let you, pull the little side screen from the right side of the motor (the oil will drain when you do). It's the big hex nut just below/forward of the oil sight glass. The crankshafts in these things used soft aluminum plugs to block off some through-drilled oil passages, and they can back out. First indications are lots of aluminum chips in this screen, as the protruding plug gets machined down...

I think I would let him sit on it for awhile, so he comes to realize what it's really worth. I saw one get listed and relisted in Seattle for about a year, dropping first by chunks of $500, then $1,000. I found mine after that year, and this other one kept listing for almost another year. Stubborn guy. He finally sold it for $1,500 less than I had offered him, which was $2,000 less than he was asking. Seems like "perceived" value - by their owners - is rising faster than real value. I think that's the case here.

Thanks Jeff....just talked with him and I think you're spot on. He believes it's worth everything he's asking and it is bone stock except for the tank protector. Will back off and watch it for a while. I believe that it's as nice as he says it is, just priced above the market.

It's about 4 hours away, so not convenient enough to stop by and kick the tires, but appreciate the guidance, especially for future prospects. Have been watching the ads for a nice one to come up nearby. Really prefer an SS/SP (aluminum swing arm, adjustable suspension, etc.).

Thanks again.

I researched those recently, as I was in the market for one. Not sure about other parts of the country, but that price is right inline with what I saw in So Cal. I missed a few by not jumping quickly enough. I looked at a few and all had oil seepage at the base of the cylinders. In the end, I decided to pass on the older Ducs and went for a newer machine. They sure are pretty, though :)

I think Motion's correct about SoCal pricing. I saw a rattier one than that parked at a local consignment lot. Asked $4500, and it went within a week.

10K miles isn't much. You can ask when the belts were last changed. Rule of thumb is every 2 years, regardless of miles.

I can't really add anything other than about price. $4500 is about average/maybe a little high, around here for a very nice bike. Also, I'm always concerned when looking at any vehicle that has something like a "rough idle" which only needs "cleaning." If it's so easy to fix, why not have it done before selling so the bike is in top condition?

Pic makes the bike look great, but enough are around to wait to find the right one for you. I was out a week ago, first ride of the season after a long weekend, fell in love all over again. Can't wait to get back from China to nice weather this weekend. I don't know about other bikes, but like a 911, you really look forward to riding it, just because it is what it is. Good luck!

I sold a very clean 1998 FE recently for $5200.

I don't think $4500 is crazy if it were pristine, but it should also be running perfectly, and have an after market exhaust to boot. 'Rough idle'.....man, that could go anywhere. Getting a good Duc shop to look at it would be wise. Keep in mind that a 'smooth' idle when an old Ducati is cold is a relative term......:)

Make sure the headlight isn't cracked. Those puppies are pretty $$$ to replace IF you can find one.

Check for oil leaks around the base of the cylinders or a farting sound when under load. Just like SCs they break the studs, especially the earlier one (I have a motor underneath my bench with a broken stud) and its a pain to fix but you can get a set of APE studs for $100. Clutch baskets wear due to chatter.

Take a very close look at the upper frame tubes that butt up to the headstock as they crack.

As for the price, worn ones here in SoCal (where the supply is quite good) tend to go for $2-3K and super clean ones, especially SLs and FEs hit $6K in mint condition. A typical mid year 900ss would be around $4K so the price looks in line. Not that I'm an expert but I can see these starting to rise in value as time goes by, especially for the 35+ crowd.

I'm not selling mine anytime soon.

+1

Headstuds!

A known issue and quite common actually. Lots were replaced under warranty back in the day. Ducati changed the studs sometime in the later half of the 90s to address the problem. With a '95 you are in the danger zone. They may have been replaced already though. The top of the studs and the head nuts are visible for inspection without removing any engine parts, but you may need to remove body work to get a good view on the SS. The old style studs are silver/stainless color and the new factory ones are black.

Great bikes and while you may find one for $3000, its still a hell of a ride at $4500.

FWIW, i love mine.

I'm surprised at the prices you guys are quoting. I bought mine three years ago for a little less than the asking price on this one. Mine had some upgrades - full carbon fiber bodywork (tank, fairings, seat), Termi "spaghetti" exhaust with carbon cans, Keihen FCR's, ST2 cams in ported heads, Cosworth pistons, Galfer brakes, remote front brake master cylinder, Evolutione clutch slave, and the motor was built by Marc Sutton of Ducati of Atlanta.

I looked at plenty of dead stock bikes in very good shape for around $3,000. Have things changed that much in three years, or is the Seattle area market that flat on these? $4,500 seems like a lot for one of these.

I'm with higgins, the prices I see are 2500-3000 for stock. I wouldn't even give consideration to the low mileage, that makes me a little nervous.

I bought my '01 750SS (oversized valves, aftermarket cams, Termi's, 12.5:1 slugs) for 3000. Certainly, it's a different beast, bearing a similar name, but it's a lot more Duc for the money than that 4500 example.

Dammit, now I miss my bike...

Higgins, the bike you bought was a steal. How much was a replacement set of carbon bodywork (alone, let alone the rest of the mods) when you priced it out? 3 grand?

I guess I kind of figure the return on investment on these bikes is a lot like it is on our cars. Assuming everything was still available, and starting with a decent, $3,000 example, I don't think a guy could build my bike for less than $10,000-$12,000. But to sell it for that? No way. Which is how it worked out - I paid less than half of what it would have cost to build it. Seems about right to me, at least from an (admittedly very lucky) buyer's standpoint.

I know full well I have at least a couple of times the value of my car into it in parts alone (all of the labor is mine). We all know how that one works. If (God forbid) I ever had to sell it, I know full well I would never even begin to approach what I have into it. Just the way these things go.

I see Ducati superbikes, like 916's and even 996's, for the price this guy is asking. Granted, not minty ones like this, but what appear to be serviceable examples.

I think I failed to mention an important detail about the 900SS: Its an MFing blast to drive. My bike had been sitting for a while when I bought it. I had Duc Seattle clean the carbs. I had already replaced the plugs, done the oil. It was a bit cold blooded, but once it was hot........it was a muscle car in pretty clothes. Lots of torque. Handling was effortless.

.....this thread is making me miss 2 valve Ducs......Hmmmmm.......

Gawd, can I relate to this.

No, that Royal Enfield is making you miss two valve Ducs.

Leaving for a week in So. Cal on Sunday, so have some time to stew on this. The guy seems to be a knowledgeable Duc owner and I suspect he's representing the bike as it is (offered to drop off bike for PPI if I wanted, etc). He had purchased a set of take-off FE carbs assuming it would be the easiest path to resolve rough idle. In the meantime, his dealer instructed him to run some fuel additive and he said it mostly resolved the issue. Also has an aftermarket set of CF slip-ons that were never installed. Had belts replaced last year and the bike sat almost unused since.

Will ask him about seepage around cylinders/heads and the color of head-studs. Gotta stop looking at the pics and reading your input about how much character these bikes have and how fun they are to ride. I have an R1150GS Adv, but when a shot of adrenaline is needed, it falls short. The itch continues...

Thanks for the input and advice. Keep it coming!

exactly why i love mine. flat torque curve=no rowing through gears in the twisties to keep it in the power band. effortless and immediate acceleration out of corners with no nasty surprises. and the sound....

yes.

heading to NH tomorrow for a great ride.