Ducati Guys
 

Lately I have been thinking of buying a naked Ducati 900. Today while going to look at another bike I spotted a red 1995 Duc 900M in the guys garage. After a little discussion he says he will sell for 4k. The bike has approximately 9000 miles and has a few cosmetic issues (faded carbon fiber and has been sitting a while so some of the metal is a little tarnished on the engine) but all in all looks like a decent bike . Is 4k a decent price for this bike that needs a little TLC? I'm guessing parts are expensive? Anything to look out for that is an issue on these bikes? BTW a Ducati is rare around here... not a lot to choose from.

Its close. A plain jane pre 2000 (carbed) 900 monster would typically go for $3500-$5000 depending on condition.

The problem is the belts and the valve adjustment. Unless you are going to do it yourself(you will need to find a shim kit), that can run $500-$800 depending on the shop. If the bike has been sitting awhile, you might want those belts replaced. Could be dried out. The major service on the bike should have been done at 6k. Ask the guy about about the belt service. If the belt service and valve adjust were done, and he has receipts, I might go $4k. Does it have an aftermarket exhaust?

Thanks HardDrive - The current owner is into restoring and riding vintage BMW bikes, so he does all of his own work. The Duc was in the corner so getting dusty so if I were to guess I would say he wouldn't have reciepts. Valve adjust maybe but probably not the belt. He agreed to fix a bad cluth and fork seals before he sold it to me, I could probably get him to do the valves. How much to replace the belts myself? Not sure on the exhaust, forgot to get the name... they are aftermarket and he said they were expensive, they look like the ones on the attached pic if that helps.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1244244461.jpg OOPS -Forgot the picture.

ducatimonsterforum.org
Ask and they'll tell you anything and everything.

Yeah, that's a $4k bike. I can only dream of mine being that clean. Snap it up, but definitely have him do the belts and valves. What's his favorite beer?

Frankly I wouldn't buy this bike. Sounds like it has not been maintained well. Ducs are not cheap to fix. It's like a Porsche, its always cheaper to pay a bit more for a well cared for machine in the long run.

Shaun -That is a bike that posted here before. Not the bike I am looking at (I wish it were)
HardDrive - I agree.. I have been looking at a lot of ads nationwide in the last few hours, looks like I'll buy elsewhere and ship here. BTW Here is the bike I am currently riding... Buells get tons of flaq here but with the HP and great torque it is a hoot (especially in the curveshttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1244249763.jpg

Got it. That is one beautiful bike you posted.

...and why are you selling? That bike looks awesome! I love the original Buells with the tube frame.

Thanks for the compliment. Time to move on, the Buell a great, low mileage bike that I'll lose my butt on when it sells. But it is time for the "next" one. I seem to like the modding stage better than the riding stage for some reason these days. Guess thats why I lose my a$$ on everything I sell.

Yeah, it sucks to sell a bike (or any machine for that matter) that you have put time and $$$ into. You almost never get it out. Its worth waiting for the right Ducati. There was an INSANE 900 Monster for sale out here about 2 months ago. I would guess the guy had $7k in parts alone on the bike. It was being sold OBO for $5K! Crazy. Its worth getting your financial ducks in a row, then watching craigslist and being ready to strike. Not to be a vulture, but there are folks out there who MUST sell.

Here's a nice Duc, $3500:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/mcy/1205717993.html

I MISS MY DUC!!!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=125505&highlight=wcc&page=291

Belts are time sensitive as well as milage sensitive. Regardless of milage, if the belts have not been changed, it will need them. Cheap insurance. It's about a two beer job to change them.

I would put $4k as the top end for that vintage Monster. I would expect a "no issues" bike for that. From your brief description, I would be thinking closer to $3k.

Cool Buell, by the way. I would love to have one parked next to my Duc.

Ducatis of that vintage are notorious for breaking headstuds. Check for broken studs. Easy to check as the nuts at the top of the studs are visible without removing anything. If you find a broken one, subtract about $1600 from the price because that's what you can expect to pay a Ducati dealer to make the repair (that would be replacing all eight studs). If the studs are good, note their color. The original studs are chrome/silver colored, while the replacements are black. If the original studs are in there, its only a matter of time before one breaks. My 1995 M900 went over 30k miles and 13 years before a stud broke, which was a good run. Many of these bikes broke studs within the first year and had them replaced under warranty.

I would also take a close look at the gas tank as its not uncommon for them to rust from the inside and develop minor leaks...look for this on the bottom usually towards the rear where the hinge is welded on. Mine 'weeps' a little from this area, but has not progressed into a drip.

Other than the stud issue, the 1995 is a solid bike, and pretty easy to DIY in my opinion. 4k is in the ballpark for that year and mileage, though I would agree with Jeff that it should be minty for that price.