Hi all! So I passed my test last year, got the bitten by the bug and rode my lovely ER6f to the TT and back.. and a bit more amassing to over 7000 miles last summer. Bliss. But looking over at the old man's 999s in the garage, it was clear where i needed to head next. The 650 Kwak was great and I highly recommend it to anyone who is moving on to big bikes after test. But it's a Ford Focus. A Vauxhall Astra... A Skoda Fabia.. Fast forward a few months and a 2002 900s ie becomes available for a steal. A steal yes, but no finished item. Appropriate excitement levels achieved, Kwak to be sold, tea to be brewed and a whole host of things to learn about fixing up a tired bike. We fired it up for the first time last weekend (after new plugs, filters, a quick check of the belts and what-not), and as she was growling away at idle, I knew i'd made the right choice. And somehow after 3 years in a shed she fired up at first ask. I love it already. Now. It's time to get her ready for riding. TT again this year and a first trackday booked in less than 2 months. So if anyone is a font of knowledge for all things 2002 900s ie, please do let me know. Down the line (maybe not far down the line at all) I'll be looking to upgrade the, ahem, aesthetics of the bike. From Clutch cover to a new headlight arrangement. And if there are some quick wins in the performance dept, "ah the ohlins from a 2004 monster fit perfectly" for example, i'd love to hear as much as you'd care to share! On top of this, I make my living as a photographer and videographer. So the plan is to turn this whole build into a web series. Keep your eyes peeled. Look forward to chatting and getting confused. Matt
I went for the 600 SS as my first big bike Never ridden before bought it passed my test loved it Loads of confusion in this mad house you will learn to the love the locals Oooo hello and welcome by the way check out the photography thread
Hello and welcome... You'll not be short of advice on here - it's just a question of sorting the good from the bad. Good luck...
Welcome. 900ss is an underrated bike so well chosen. Keep us updated on the restoration-if that`s what it is.
Great choice of bike for dipping your toe into the murky waters of Ducati. My first Duc was (and still is) a 2001 750s ie (the little brother of yours). You already have the adjustable Showas, if memory serves, which are ample. I'd be interested to know whether you intend, or think you might, change the rear sprocket up by 2-3 teeth, to access better acceleration and better manners around town. This was a must for the 750 but maybe the 900 doesn't need it. I must say, I am hankering after a 900s or 900ss, in a vague, musing sort of way. Hope you have great fun on your first big v-twin.
hi everyone! well thanks for all the welcome, it's been a busy day thus far! After some intensive inter-webbing, i've found a few bits for the bike. Boris from Sweden sadly crashed his, but the rear was in tact. So 2x Termi pipes(crash damage to one unfortunately), carbon fibre hugger, power commander and quick shifter. You may get violent with me if I tell you what that cost Stafford from Wiltshire has an entire set of bodywork, a clutch cover, tank, seat and new clocks. Working on the right price and hopefully picking a lot of that up on monday. Maybe the TT dream isn't so elusive... Better not be otherwise i'm walking. One issue. The new bodywork is yellow.... ... .... But the dream is as follows. Attach all the new bits and off for the MOT Modify a race fairing and nick a 999 headlight (just the bottom one) Find a single seat conversion from SOMETHING (any ideas?) Respray the yellow bodywork gloss black respray the wheels to gold Gold Clutch cover Classic Ducati logo in gold I'm getting a bit excited. For everyone interested in progress, i'm a videographer by trade, so we will document the whole process, and i'll share updates here. If you click on the link in my signature you'll see where we have all of our fun, MileyPau's 999s is featured.
thanks Loz, i do indeed have the showas. I'm a big lad (6'5 105kg) so the stiff ride is actually a good thing, i'm not sure if I got the good ohlins in the back, do you know how to tell them apart? Same goes for the swingarm, i don't know if it is the steel or alloy. I've read a few things regarding the sprocket. I haven't ridden it yet so i'm not sure. I'm open to it though, will talk to my partner in crime who is much more mechanically adept. The other thing i've heard is the strain it can load onto your wrists because of riding position? So maybe some clip ons a bit higher up, and I prefer wider bars (bad shoulders)...
Hopefully one of our SS experts will be along to advise on the rear spring and the swing arm. Bar risers are popular with some, there should be threads/posts discussing the options here. I've never needed them on my 750S but then I'm five inches short of your height
May see you there at the TT as well - not on a duc though - leave my hyper at home for that and take RSV4....its Italian as well, so I can get away with it...!
good man, that's a serious bike that. Hopefully cross paths! Personally i'm a big fan of the 6am ride over the mountain.. Worth doing
Unless anyone know different - I'd say the best wat to tell steel swinging arm from alloy is to see if a magnet sticks to it...
