Good evening folks, As mentioned in another thread, I recently became the new owner of a very rare 1980 Darmah 900 Supersport Desmo (SSD). Why rare? Well, because Ducati failed to understand the late 70’s market and somehow imagined there was a “missing piece” between the Darmah 900 SD (Sport Desmo) and the 900 Supersport. That did not work and only over a thousand were produced and sold in 1979-1980 (with a few assembled in the following years with left over parts). So allow me to introduce frame number DM900SD*951021* with engine #DM860 904800. It’s a late production and has all the “goodies”: 900SS engine (cams, heads, etc), Conti exhaust (a performance option back in the day), but still the Dellorto PHF 32 carbs (not the 40 of the 900SS), which should make it a bunch easier to live with, lowered footrests. These bikes all came in this light blue metallic livery with darker blue stickers. I love the way it looks because it is so Mad Max like. Remember “The Goose” and “Toecutter” (except those bikes were Kawa Z1000, but who cares…)? It is a Japanese import from Sapporo (Hokkaido) and I will be registering it in France as a “classic” bike. As it is in a very fair shape, my intent is to refurbish/recommission it as close as possible to stock, rather than restore it. So more to follow here on my investigations and progress and, without any doubt, some questions. Stay tuned! G
The darmah SS is an oddity, the engine and frame number dont tell you much except its a Darmah engine and frame. The SSD's were simply SD's pulled off the SD production line and converted to SSD so consecutive numbers might be an SD and an SSD. The difference from memory was the front mudguard, fairing, fairing bracket and the footrests. The later SD had the SSD fairing bracket on the frame anyway and the bracket for the footrests I seem to remember the SSD side panel had a cut out for the rear master cylinder Your bike probably originated from Australia or at least 904800 did so its probable that 904801 did as well but not for certain. Aus was by far the biggest market for Bevels in fact i think they sold more bevels to Aus that the rest of the world put together.
It is pretty well preserved indeed. The odometer is showing 20.800km today. The Japanese “MOT” registered 20.500km in June 2004 and 20.700km in April 2011. That’s 300km in 20 years… So I guess it’s been stored pretty well as I see very little corrosion. Only dust and old grease. She’s sporting brand new 2001 Michelin Macadam tires (hard as wood)… When I went down to take a look at it in mid December, the chief mechanic (pro seller shop) started it for me. It started after the 3rd attempt and I was really surprised (and pleased) at how smooth it idled. It was only the second time they started it, as they had checked it when first importing it in 2021. Here’s a short video of that first attempt: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mq_D-oi1KDRItPiC9WPIed6-Rqed4dhK/view?usp=drive_link Here are the pics of the classified that got my attention: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lD5rCHIUtH8cH0LNUjr1MMcXPlqKV1ix?usp=drive_link @Paddy Barratt Thanks for sharing your knowledge. The Japanese title shows first registration in 1990, so there’s a 10 years blank in the bike history, which could very well have been spent in Australia, as you suggest. They do seem to have particularly enjoyed this era of motorcycling down under. I love this video, for instance.
I bought an fzr600rr that came with ‘new’ Michelin Macadam tyres. They were like wood when fresh! The original non-stick tyres. Bike looks like a really good find.
Needs more exhaust wrap and a lot of the rear sub frame hacksawing off and a brown faux leather seat IMHO. Kinda like how you see those old K1000 BMW knocking about. Or just make a chopper from it. Just saying like.
You have someone local who can service that Guillaume, or do you do it? Either way there's great karma in that beautiful bike ending up in your hands. Superb.
I do as much as I can myself, ideally, that’s why I buy these old bikes. But I do give my forks and shocks to a professional shop. Same for the carbs, I haven’t committed to clean/refurbish them myself yet. I would need an ultrasonic bath. And as far as customizing it into some kind of Harley horror… yeah, no. Allow me to pass!
Look at these! I like those FPS wheels, really. The first cast aluminum wheels ever used on a Ducati, according to my readings. They are nice enough to deserve only a good clean up, new bearings and new tires. Front wheel is done. There are 3 identical Brembo 280mm discs on this bike. Same for front and rear. Min thickness of 5.8mm is advertised on them and I measured 6.5mm, so we’re good. They will need a good clean though… Generally speaking, the brakes will need serious attention. As the rear caliper was almost seized, I had to use a rubber mallet to slide it off the disk... First time I ever had to do this. So I will rebuild the calipers with new aluminum pistons, fresh gaskets, rebuild the master cylinders and put new braided brake hoses (covered with black rubber). All this is on order.
Regarding carburation, as mentioned above, it has two Dellorto PHF 32 CS/CD (for left and right). These look pretty cool, really and will need a good ultrasonic bath and new gaskets. And a nice double choke.
I suppose in modern parlance you could say the SD Darmah was the naked tourer, the SSD the sports tourer & the SS the sports. I see the LHS Conti has an unfortunate dent in it and not too sure how easy that would be to knock or pull out. Original Contis can be worth a bob or two, ~ £2K, so definitely something you would want to keep. Looking good though & I for one will enjoy this topic.
Yeah, the LHS Conti has a ding… But I think it will just stay like this. In fact, my overall idea is to keep it with its « patina », and simply make it a well preserved unrestored exemple. As always when taking on such a project, I really feel blessed and therefore highly motivated. My wife doesn’t understand why we « need » a 5th bike. I keep telling her we don’t need it. But we need even less money sleeping on a bank account and tackling such a project makes me happy. Not an investment for sure, they never are, but by the time you move it on, you will definitely have been tinkering and riding for free.
Some nice findings, here: Original Marzocchi AG 2-4 shocks and Marzocchi forks (the early ones had Ceriani forks). These have all gone to get professionally refurbed. Found almost new chain and sprockets. The rear sprocket is all wired up. Racing! And Nology « Hot Wires »!
The motor looks in a really good external shape, no oil leaks, and never opened. Unmollested. And as soon as you start rubbing 0000 steel wool, it shines like a mirror. I am going to love this!!!
Steering is already being taken care of, new bearings are on their way, along with the wheels and rear sprocket ones (4+2).
