Lusting for another Duc

[Rot 911]

I must just like to be abused, but looking at another Ducati, 1993 900SS. Yes there are more powerful bikes out there, but have always loved the looks of the early 900SS. Price is a bit high, but looks like a well cared for Duc. What says the clan?

From his ad and a response to one of my questions:

"1993 Ducati 900SS, clean but not perfect...would be easy and cheap to make damn near perfect, however. A coat of paint on the engine and you're pretty much there. Runs friggen perfect.

23,000 miles, Speigler/LSL floating rotors, later model SS rear shock, Ferracci high pipes, K&N filter, top of airbox removed, jetted, low mile Pilot Power 2CT's, otherwise stock and runs great.
Comes with stock parts - mufflers, mirrors, brake rotors, airbox lid and new filter, sprockets, gaskets, Haynes and DesmoTimes manuals, odds and sods.

$4000 ...I'm bringing it to Ducati ECM at Fontana Lodge (Deals Gap) 2nd week of May and will bring the title - let me know if I should bring the box of parts...

Kurt, I have paperwork from the previous owner showing valves and belts 3 years ago, but no mileage. Technically then it's due, but I don't think he rode it much and neither have I, and I know these bikes well...the belts are CA Cycleworks belts and it runs so fine that I wasn't going to sweat it this season at all. Throwing a gauge on them wouldn't be a bad idea, but I'll bet they're perfect. Cylinder studs were all changed at the same time. Oil changes show NO debris on the screen.

Seat height...low. I have a 31" inseam and can sit flat footed with my knees bent. The longer rear shock only raised the rear of the bike 1/2". I haven't ridden it yet to see if there was even a difference in handling, but it couldn't have hurt...these thing are 'stable', to put it nicely."

[motion]

Kurt, looks like a nice bike at that price. I've seen far worse for more money. Go for it!

[pwd72s]

You'll break a leg

[greglepore]

Check the tank for rust in the lower rear corners, they're bellow the pump and water settles there. Mine pissed gas all over my leg on a ride, its how I found the rust... . Otherwise, they're nice bikes but hell on the wrists if doing anything but curve carving-I mean seriously brutal. But they sound great, look great, handle well etc.

[matt711]

Great looking bike. I miss my Duc a lot. Some bar risers will help with writst pain, I had them on my S2R and it made a world of difference. I would buy that bike in a second if it is rust free and running well. Make sure all the electronics are working...

[Noah930]

I really enjoy my 900SS. Seems like a decent price. I have HeliBars on mine (installed by the PO), and it rides like a tractor compared to my other bike. The only thing not to like is the fact that it's carb'd rather than FI. Fiddling with a choke is suddenly a chore once you're spoiled by FI.

[Rot 911]

Thanks for all the tips so far! Fiddling with chokes is not a huge deal with me. Hell look at the other bikes in my signature!

Thanks for the heads up on the rust issues, definitely will check that out. Is it something you can look at from the outside? Maybe push a fingernail in down on the corners?

Will definitely put some risers on if I get it, although not being all that tall (5'9"), seems to help.

[Noah930]

Not really, unless the rust has eaten its way all the way through. Realistically, you have to empty the tank and stick a flashlight inside, looking for the aft-most two lower corners. There are often a couple tanks on ebay, and the better (more honest) sellers will include a shot of that in the ad.

I'm not tall either, but I can easily flat-foot at a stop.

[greglepore]

If the tank isn't rusted badly, a coating of Kreem or POR15 soon after purchase will solve the issue. I plugged mine with epoxy tank patch on the inside and then Kreemed it, cowboy for sure, but it lasted for as long as I had the bike (a few years).

I'm only 5'5 and it still killed my wrists, it's not a height issue as much as angle-well beyond neutral-most of the bar "risers" solve this issue as well.

[froggert]

did the 93 900ss's have issues with frames cracking near the head? i know the ss's a few years later did. a lot were covered under warranty or goodwill by dna, but it's worth checking out.

the front forks were sprung for jockeys and respond well to new springs and valves. increasing the rear ride height is a good thing on these bikes. the best all-around street bike i've owned was a 96 900ss/sp.

[VincentVega]

Really like that. I never ride my ST2 but the thing sounds so good it's hard to let go.

[Gogar]

That price is only barely high as long as it's well cared for. considering you get the stock parts it's not too bad.
Check for cracks in the frame and swing arm and the previously mentioned rust on the back of the tank, and have fun!

I've really enjoyed my SS/SP so far. It's got a Ferracci 944 kit and ported/polished heads. Makes amazing noises.

[Noah930]

Nice pic of the stable, Jeremy.

[Jeff Higgins]

Go for it, Kurt - you won't regret it. On paper these didn't look like much even when new, and certainly even less so today, but there is something intangible that came together on them. Definitely a case of "the whole being greater than the sum of the parts". There is a synergy here that few machines will ever match. IMHO, one of the top few "real world" street bikes. Performance a sane man can use and enjoy on the street.

I miss mine terribly. It's in pieces right now, spread across the garage and various machine shops in Seattle. At 70k miles, I found a cracked piston while chasing oil leaks. It will be back together in a week or two... I can hardly wait. The most fun I've ever had on a street bike.

[Don Ro]

I'd guess that the Duc will be a keeper for you. A beauty.
They deserve a good home & to never be sold.
Ride safely.
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I've had 3...wish I had never sold the 1st two. Here's my latest - 1k miles, so far.
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[motion]

Wooohooon, Don! I have an '08 Hyper 1100. Hoonmobile!

[motion]

Kurt, here's a nice 900 for ya!

Ducati : Supersport in Ducati | eBay Motorcycles

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by motion

Wooohooon, Don! I have an '08 Hyper 1100. Hoonmobile!

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Fool!
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Got a call today from the dealer re: the new Hyper debut this Fri/Sat. Said they want me to come by to ride it...What? do they think I'm going to buy another?
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Are you going to ride the new one?
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The 1100 - Fun bike & excellent frame, I must say.
I did the Cat. eliminator & sent out my ECU to be unlocked & tuned (as best they could). Unhooked the sensors to match the ECU - yes it goes, but I don't ride like I use to. It's just fun to be on that beast w/all that torque & response on-command. Stronger & lighter than my old 996S. Sharp lean angles, too.
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I like the sound of the stock pipes - left them alone. Funny, from the first ride, I ride it like I use to ride when I was a kid...when we had no blinkers & no neutral light. I never look at the cluster but I always know what gear I'm in. The bike is a throw-back & fun that way.
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Ride sanely, mo.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by motion

Kurt, here's a nice 900 for ya!

Ducati : Supersport in Ducati | eBay Motorcycles

Low miles.
Any reason to fear those two piece Marvic wheels?

[Gogar]

They're magnesium, so you need to have a tire guy with a gentle touch...

Quote de motion

Kurt, here's a nice 900 for ya!



Ducati : Supersport in Ducati | eBay Motorcycles

Low miles.

Any reason to fear those two piece Marvic wheels?