Ducati guys, need your expertise in the next 12 hours - '06 800SS

[HHI944]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Thanks guys.

Pics soon!

Sweet!
I'll probably be in that same market fairly soon. ...I miss two wheels and can't imagine getting anything other than another Duc

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Look into putting 900SS fairings on it.

[McLovin]

Here's a couple quick pics.

This bike was much cleaner and nicer in person than it was in the seller's pictures. I can't find a scratch or nick on it anywhere, it's pretty much perfect.

Had a 30 mile ride home on highway and city. The gearing is so bizarre, or at least I've grown not used to this type of gearing. It will easily do 55-60 in first gear, and cruise at a very high speed in second gear (like 75 mph, at an easy 5500 rpm or so).

All in all, I love it so far. I like it a lot better than my '01 Monster. Oddly, that bike had very little soul or character to me for some reason.






Came with these brand new Ducati leather pants and gloves that the guy bought from the dealership. I haven't priced these, but my guess is they're worth more than the bike!



I'll probably wear them more in the bedroom than on the road, but still nice to have.

Thanks all for your help, it made a difference.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

Look into putting 900SS fairings on it.

I actually like the semi-bizarro Italiano styling of this bike! I know it's kind of weird, but I "get it" for some reason.

If your talking about those more standard, flat sided fairings, hmm, I suppose it wouldn't be bad to have a set to swap between for a different look. Do they fit?

[McLovin]

Although I have to say, it is not a photogenic bike. IMO, it looks much, much better in person than in pictures.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

It looks like it's in amazing condition, if it runs as good as it looks, then it's a great buy. If you like the "semi-bizarro Italiano styling", forget my post and enjoy the bike.

[Noah930]

Congrats and enjoy in good health.

[Gogar]

AWESOME!

Get a fancy clutch cover. Remember, Loud Clutches Save Lives!!!

[HardDrive]

SCORE! Nice bike man!

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by McLovin

I actually like the semi-bizarro Italiano styling of this bike! I know it's kind of weird, but I "get it" for some reason.

If your talking about those more standard, flat sided fairings, hmm, I suppose it wouldn't be bad to have a set to swap between for a different look. Do they fit?

I have never quite understood why people were so against the styling. I think it looks great. In person they look fantastic. Full trellis frame.

The bike looks immaculate. You scored.

[gtc]

Originally Posted by Gogar

AWESOME!

Get a fancy clutch cover. Remember, Loud Clutches Save Lives!!!

LOL!
In all seriousness, is there a purpose to those beyond looking cool and making the clutch more audible?

[Rot 911]

Nice looking bike. First thing I would do would be change out all of the fluids. At the same time change the belts. Then later you can worry about the valve adjustment.

[Ferraripete]

congrats!

[Don Ro]

Cleaned with a Q-tip...it looks like.
Mighty fine!
.
I had a 996S when those came out...I hated the looks.
Now, many years later...I kinda like it. Sorta Art Deco-esque.
.
Ride safely.

[motion]

Wow! Nice! Congrats!

[Jeff Higgins]

Awesome score! You are going to love this thing.

Most of us Supersport guys re-gear them. The stock gearing is insanely high, as you noticed. Speculation is that they had to do it to pass some b.s. drive-by noise requirement. 15/39 is very popular on these, but some guys will even go up into the low 40's on the rear. My '93 900 is at 15/39, and I feel it is still a bit tall for American roads. My next rear may be a 41. Sixth gear cannot really be used unless I'm over 70 mph, and even then, it feels like it's lugging on any kind of hill. It's far happier over 90 mph in sixth. Your slightly more rev-happy 800 may like even a little more rear sprocket. Play with it and see what you like - they are relatively cheap.

Oh, and did I mention - Awsome score!!

[nostatic]

Can you swap in HIDs? The Ducs I had were pretty weak in the headlight department. One of the first things I did with the GS was swap in HIDs.

[McLovin]

Thanks again, all.

Put new belts on it. The old belts looked fine, but were very loose. This was a much easier job than I thought. The only downer was the "Ducati tax" on the belts, $130 for 2 tiny belts that probably cost $6 to make.

Off with the old, on with the new


I'll flush the brake and clutch fluid tomorrow. The seller had an oil and chain service done a few weeks ago, so I think I'm set for a year or so. When I hit 6K on it, I'll adjust the valves.

I have to do something about the gearing, for sure. I think I'll try going down 1 tooth on the front to start. It's just nuts the way it is stock, makes no sense.

Gogar, no swiss cheese clutch cover for this one! That would make an awful oily mess!

NS, went for a ride tonight to test the belt tension on a warm engine, the headlights seemed ok to me.

[Don Ro]

You might want to do some business with ... ($40 ea.)

Ca Cycleworks ExactFit Timing Belt for Ducati 600, 620, 695, 750, 800 (each) | ca-cycleworks.com
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Search results for: '800 ss' | ca-cycleworks.com

Congrats. BTW!

[Jeff Higgins]

This isn't a wet clutch bike, is it? That would be the only SS that I have ever heard of that is. Maybe I'm not staying up to speed.

As far as the belts, yeah - California Cycle Works for you guys unfortunate enough to not live near Ducati of Seattle. I replace mine every year, whether it needs it or not. Seems I pay about half that for the pair. Oh, and they are supposed to be loose when cold - many of use use a 5mm allen on the horizontal and a 6mm on the vertical between the idler and the belt to set tension.