Afternoon and hello, I'm currently restoring a 1979 900SD Darmah... I've always wanted one and the chance to restore one came up and I couldn't turn it down. However... I've run into a few parts issues. I'm desperate for a horizontal Desmo 900SD cylinder head. If anyone has one or know's where I can find one then please let me know. Other than that, I'm just enjoying the slow process of taking it apart, repairing, restoring and buying new parts to build it back together. I'll add photo's when I can. Steve
Valve springer 860GT/900GTS heads can be converted to Desmo operation. Desmo and springer heads often come up for sale on the various Facebook Bevel pages.
Good for you. Its the first Ducati I remember seeing in a magazine, -bright red- and I immediately wanted one. My Dad told his snotty nosed 8 year old son to shut up and that ended the conversation. But I've never forgotten.
Only bevel drive heads would be suitable i.e pre belt drive. I'm thinking a (bevel) 900 SS head would also fit.
Nice! I have a later 81 Darmah and patience is exactly what you need with these... not to mention a compliant wallet If I may ask, what has caused the front head to be unusable?
One of Falloon's book's states for the Darmah, from Eng No 903026, the cylinder heads were changed to those of the 900ss with a wider stud mount (58mm) and larger inlet tract allowing 40mm carbs to be fitted, but doesn't say which year. Might be worth checking what you need.
The SS heads are slightly different and have bigger valves but a pair with all the internals isn’t out of the question if I can find them.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9aBfH8IbEm/?igsh=bTh1YXJsdjNmcHM0 Let me know if you can see that reel?
I've just looked on the Back to Classics web site and the parts diagrams for the Darmah & SS all quote the same valve part number & sizes of 40 & 36 mm. https://www.ducaticlassics.com/ Oh, yes the link to the Instagram does work and I notice it comes with a natty 2 into 1 exhaust. Enjoy
I bought a new Darmah in 1979. I loved that bike in black and gold as a nod to my previously owned Velocettes. Nothing much to add except I found the engine gasped for air at full throttle. I improved that by removing the airbox and replacing it with a pair of K&N filters.
Not true, the heads are identical apart from earlier Darmah's that had the inlet studs closer together.
If I recall correctly the standard Darmah had the smaller 32 mm carbs which would also restrict flow and as mentioned above re the head inlets, the later version could accept the 40 mm carbs. When I bought my Darmah in '84 (?) it came with conti replicas and 40 mmm carbs already fitted. I never did find out if this was from new e.g. importer fitted or as a later after market fitment by a previous owner. These both perhaps helped in it never feeling restricted. And when recently refurbing him I also ditched the air filters & used K&Ns mainly to make a lot more space for a proper rewire plus coil & ignition box fitment.
