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

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by 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.

Jeff the 800SS is a wet clutch. Can be converted to dry, but is outrageously expensive to do so.

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.

I've been ordering my general maintenance parts from LT Snyder's website Desmo Times Home Page Good prices. Unfortunately he doesn't carry belts for the 800SS. For the 900SS the aftermarket Kevlar belts run $70 a pair.

[McLovin]

So far so good. Finished my clean up, changed the belts, brake pads, fuel filter and in tank fuel lines, changed the main relay and fuel pump relay, they seemed to be cutting out. Flushed the brake and clutch fluid.

But the biggest thing was swapping out the 15T front cog for a 14T. HUGE difference in the way the bike rides. I read somewhere that the 15T was only put on because of noise or emissions requirements. I believe it, because I can't imagine that anyone at the factory who ever rode the bike would have thought the 15T was a good thing.

I've also ordered some 1" rise clip ons. The riding position is pretty extreme, a very slight rise should help.

Pretty cool, have had numerous people approach me with thumbs ups and nice comments.

Maybe I'll trade it in for this:

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by McLovin

So far so good.

Maybe I'll trade it in for this:

Be careful. You'll poke your eye out with that thing.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

Be careful. You'll poke your eye out with that thing.

Ha, I'd be blinded just by looking at the sticker price.

[motion]

The Superleggera is on my want list!

[trader220]

Wow that thing is clean. I ride a 2003 ST4S thats hot rodded but I always loved the look of the old SS's

[nynor]

sweet ride mclovin. i love mine.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

what's the latest on the bike?

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

what's the latest on the bike?

Didn't see your post til today, Shaun.

Everything's good so far. I've now worked through just about every possible maintenance item that can be done on the bike. Fluids, brake pads, belts, plugs, fuel and air filters, etc.

Got her naked over the holiday weekend to check the valves (at 5K miles, all within spec). Doesn't look bad with no clothes on!



I'm enjoying the daily commute. The riding position is more radical than any other bike I've ever owned, but my commute is embarassingly short, so it's fine.

I've adjusted my riding style to a "9000 rpm redline" style. 95% of my bike miles over the years have come on bikes with 14,000+ redlines. It is very different. Not necessarily better or worse, but very different. I'm not 100% sure I will find long-term love at 5,000 rpm, but we'll see.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

All good to hear, naked looks great, I'd leave it.

[Ferraripete]

the bike looks very clean. as we all hoped. termis too!!! very nice.

pcb