Tell me about the Ducati 900ss - Page 6

SofaKing · 07-10-2006, 08:28 PM

This beauty doesn't happen to belong to you does it?

Classic 1993 Ducati Superlight FS
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/mcy/180031407.html

If it does it sure is a beatuy, if it doesn't it is still a beauty.

RocketJohn · 07-10-2006, 08:35 PM

You'll have a lot of fun with that bike... I have several friends that have them and have had them for many years and swear by them... find a competent Ducati tuner and that bike will be a keeper for the long haul...

Pantah · 07-11-2006, 03:34 AM

The fuel tank does not have a manual shut off. If it won't start, it could be a lot of things. You should see if it has any spark first, though. If it does then the carbs are probably gummed up. You really should let a good Duc tuner do the service first and then take it from there. The price you've been quoted is a little low for belts/valves and such.

I left mine sitting for a couple years, and I had a hard time starting it. I had to ride it for quite awhile to get it to run clean. I presume my carbs were a mess with dried fuel residue, but it cleared up after about 50 miles.

You have a terrific motorcycle. Its a little edgy in traffic with a snatchy drive line and clutch, but very sweet for what its intended.

speckypete · 07-11-2006, 05:39 AM

I had a 93 model (with the gold painted frame and wheels). As others have said, might be worth getting the first service done at the dealers, just for the peice of mind. Make sure those belts are changed, they fail as much due to standing idle as by being used. The Mikuni carbs are fairly easy to strip, they are the same as fitted to quite a few jap bikes (my TDM850 has the same).

Be careful as you are not used to this kinda bike. If you plan to get into biking, why not try to pick up an old beater for a bit of practice, it is very expensive fixing a duke.

Oh yeah, if it has not already been modded, watch out for the stupid pop-up sidestand. It was designed just to keep the spares counter busy. I always left mine in gear.

Enjoy!

jdiaz · 07-11-2006, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pantah

The fuel tank does not have a manual shut off.

Are you sure about that? IIRC my '92 750SS had a shutoff on the "petcock", although you had to prop the tank up to get to it. I just used it for winter storage.

Jon

Desmofan · 07-11-2006, 07:29 AM

That would be me

Cat0020 · 07-11-2006, 07:54 AM

I've always wanted a SS, but it just never seem all that practical to me.. yet it is soooo sexy:

Curvy · 07-11-2006, 08:12 AM

I had a 91 900ss the first one in the state. God I miss that machine. Never had a problem with it and it made all the right sounds.

mrdennison · 07-11-2006, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdiaz

Are you sure about that? IIRC my '92 750SS had a shutoff on the "petcock", although you had to prop the tank up to get to it. I just used it for winter storage.

Jon

I noticed that little "petcock". Will try and see if that works.

"Be careful as you are not used to this kinda bike. If you plan to get into biking, why not try to pick up an old beater for a bit of practice, it is very expensive fixing a duke.

"

Actually the duc is not the only bike i inherited. Also a 78 kawasaki kz400 and a unknown year huskavarna 390 dirtbike(estimate late 70's early 80s) and they both run.

thanks for the replies guys!

Arch · 07-11-2006, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdiaz

Are you sure about that? IIRC my '92 750SS had a shutoff on the "petcock", although you had to prop the tank up to get to it. I just used it for winter storage.

Correct.

Mark,
As already mentinoned, having sat that long, it probably needs its carbs cleaned to get running right, replace the old fuel in the tank with a fresh load, etc. But before any of that, fresh cam belts.

mrdennison · 07-11-2006, 12:57 PM

Here are some pics as requested:

DoctorIt · 07-11-2006, 01:15 PM

give that poor thing a bath - ASAP!

I owned several Ducs myself and I'd just like to echo a couple suggestions here: find a good shop! Although I always wrenched on all my dirtbikes and now on my BMW, the Ducs all needed to visit a pro every once in a while - sure, oil changes you can do yourself, but the desmo needs good lovin'. If this is a sentimental piece for you, do the right thing and have it gone over by a Duc mechanic.

As for riding, I'd have to say that the 900ss of this generation was one of the smoothest and easiest to ride Ducs. Much more comfortable and forgiving than my newer 900ss.

Clean it up and enjoy it.

ImaPoser · 07-11-2006, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curvrider

I had a 91 900ss the first one in the state. God I miss that machine. Never had a problem with it and it made all the right sounds.

Your doomed. Your post looks alot like my post #3. Guess what I bought this weekend?

jdiaz · 07-11-2006, 02:10 PM

Holy smokes! Get some new tires (those look like Bridgestone BT57s!!) and brake fluid in that bad boy as well.

Nice looking bike! There's a rabid following out there for these bikes if you decide to sell it. I think Arch still has "900SS" tattooed on his body somewhere.

Gummee! · 07-11-2006, 05:42 PM

I may have just scored a test ride on a 900SS. One of our members came in and I was talking to him about trading bikes for a ride...

I think my wallet should be nervous!

M

07-10-2006, 08:28 PM	#76
SofaKing What the fark!! Joined: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Oddometer: 396	Paging Desmofan This beauty doesn't happen to belong to you does it? Classic 1993 Ducati Superlight FS http://sandiego.craigslist.org/mcy/180031407.html If it does it sure is a beatuy, if it doesn't it is still a beauty.

07-10-2006, 08:35 PM	#77
RocketJohn Hook em' Horns! Joined: Apr 2002 Location: Denver Metro Oddometer: 11,040	You'll have a lot of fun with that bike... I have several friends that have them and have had them for many years and swear by them... find a competent Ducati tuner and that bike will be a keeper for the long haul... __________________ RocketJohn™ 1974 Honda CL350 / 2013 Yamaha Super Tenere Smugmug Coupon Here / SuperTune Motorsports in Denver My SuperTenere Blog

07-11-2006, 03:34 AM	#78
Pantah Red Sox Nation Joined: Oct 2004 Location: India Wharf Oddometer: 8,902	The fuel tank does not have a manual shut off. If it won't start, it could be a lot of things. You should see if it has any spark first, though. If it does then the carbs are probably gummed up. You really should let a good Duc tuner do the service first and then take it from there. The price you've been quoted is a little low for belts/valves and such. I left mine sitting for a couple years, and I had a hard time starting it. I had to ride it for quite awhile to get it to run clean. I presume my carbs were a mess with dried fuel residue, but it cleared up after about 50 miles. You have a terrific motorcycle. Its a little edgy in traffic with a snatchy drive line and clutch, but very sweet for what its intended. __________________ Straight ahead and faster -Bo Weaver 1970 "There I was..." -Griffin Niner Three Hotel

07-11-2006, 05:39 AM	#79
speckypete Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Campo de Gibraltar Oddometer: 117	I had a 93 model (with the gold painted frame and wheels). As others have said, might be worth getting the first service done at the dealers, just for the peice of mind. Make sure those belts are changed, they fail as much due to standing idle as by being used. The Mikuni carbs are fairly easy to strip, they are the same as fitted to quite a few jap bikes (my TDM850 has the same). Be careful as you are not used to this kinda bike. If you plan to get into biking, why not try to pick up an old beater for a bit of practice, it is very expensive fixing a duke. Oh yeah, if it has not already been modded, watch out for the stupid pop-up sidestand. It was designed just to keep the spares counter busy. I always left mine in gear. Enjoy! __________________ Yamaha TDM850 Suzuki DRZ400e

07-11-2006, 07:29 AM	#81
Desmofan Bring the whole family! Joined: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Oddometer: 500	That would be me __________________ KTM990 SMT KTM950 Adventure DRZ400S Ducati Superlight--gone but not forgotten

07-11-2006, 07:54 AM	#82
Cat0020 El cheapo Joined: May 2002 Location: NW of Philly Oddometer: 4,893	I've always wanted a SS, but it just never seem all that practical to me.. yet it is soooo sexy: __________________ Mankind is doomed Chances favor the prepared mind.

07-11-2006, 08:12 AM	#83
Curvy Lost Planet Airman Joined: Jan 2003 Location: Reno County Kansas Oddometer: 7,999	I had a 91 900ss the first one in the state. God I miss that machine. Never had a problem with it and it made all the right sounds. __________________ Memories stalk my dreams and torture my tattered old soul.

07-11-2006, 12:57 PM	#86
mrdennison Adventurer Joined: Jul 2006 Oddometer: 23	Here are some pics as requested:

07-11-2006, 01:15 PM	#87
DoctorIt vrooom! Joined: Sep 2003 Location: Springfield, MA Oddometer: 5,657	give that poor thing a bath - ASAP! I owned several Ducs myself and I'd just like to echo a couple suggestions here: find a good shop! Although I always wrenched on all my dirtbikes and now on my BMW, the Ducs all needed to visit a pro every once in a while - sure, oil changes you can do yourself, but the desmo needs good lovin'. If this is a sentimental piece for you, do the right thing and have it gone over by a Duc mechanic. As for riding, I'd have to say that the 900ss of this generation was one of the smoothest and easiest to ride Ducs. Much more comfortable and forgiving than my newer 900ss. Clean it up and enjoy it. __________________ Erik Professor for hire.

07-11-2006, 02:10 PM	#89
jdiaz . Joined: Feb 2002 Location: Elburn, IL Oddometer: 31,110	Holy smokes! Get some new tires (those look like Bridgestone BT57s!!) and brake fluid in that bad boy as well. Nice looking bike! There's a rabid following out there for these bikes if you decide to sell it. I think Arch still has "900SS" tattooed on his body somewhere.

07-11-2006, 05:42 PM	#90
Gummee! That's MR. Toothless Joined: May 2004 Location: NoVA for now... Oddometer: 25,670	I may have just scored a test ride on a 900SS. One of our members came in and I was talking to him about trading bikes for a ride... I think my wallet should be nervous! M __________________ There. I've moved back to VA. Can you PLEASE change the weather?!

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