Starting a new thread to follow on from my noob post about my first Ducati. https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/my-first-ducati.89161/ I have now had some time to get the fairings off and take a look at what lies beneath. I plan to use this thread to record my journey and ask for help I can't find elsewhere on the forum. All suggestions, comments etc welcome!
Looking over the bike I can see several mods. There is an auxiliary fuel tap, presumably so the previous owner didn't have to lift the tank to close the petcock, a Hagon shock, air box mod, some sort of chain oiler, Micron silencers (loudeners) and the paperwork I have suggests there is a Dynojet stage 2 kit fitted. The bike is incredibly loud so I will be looking to do something about that as I live in a built up area and don't want to alienate all my neighbours. The whole thing is covered in oily grime which I have begun trying to remove so I stand some chance of working out where the oil leaks are coming from. I plan to remove the chain oiler also. I have found two hoses and a cable that are disconnected and am yet to work out where they go and what they are for! Plusses are unworn brake discs and pads and so far no cracks found on either headstock or swingarm although I don't know where to look for them. Fork sliders and seals also look to be in good condition. Filthy headstock and lower triple area: Lots of dirt has also hit the airbox and the open filter element Engine is filthy. Mystery lead. I thought it might be side stand cut off associated but then remembered reading that these bikes don't have them. Detached hose of some kind circled in yellow. Presuming this is a drain from the carb fuel bowl overflow or something. After some hours of degreasing
hosepipe - re: sidestand switch - yes they do! - it's for one of the "idiot" lights, but at least it doesn't stop bike from starting etc. the detached hose is nothing to worry about as only a petrol vapour "vent" that normally goes to a roughly triangular-shaped container very near that location. Between everyone on here, we will put up images if needed/if you are going to restore totally to bog-std. Looking like a sound bike for the money - K&N air filter as a bonus.
Ah thanks! Once I've removed the layer of grime from around the side stand I will look for where it is supposed to plug in.
Not sure Ducati from this era had petcocks fitted, my Paso didn’t having a fuel gauge which for sure couldn’t be relied on to be truthful.
Doesn't look too bad at all and it runs. Thats two things that can't be said about many £2K Ducatis! What a great Santa you have in your area.
There is a thumbscrew type one right under the tank where the feed line attaches. When I collected the bike the seller warned me to keep it closed when the bike is stored to avoid the risk of fuel flooding the engine. He didn't point out the secondary tap. I am familiar with flooded carbs on two strokes when I was a teen but wasn't aware this could flood the whole engine, especially not on a bike that isn't gravity fed. Anyway I assumed the secondary tap has been added to make it easier to shut off. I had a similar tap as standard on my RS250 which I always kept closed when the bike wasn't in use. You know, the kind you frantically grab for to shift to reserve.
Thanks Jez. I had to grab it unseen as I knew a 900ss at under £2K would be gone pretty quick but with an MOT into late 2022 and a runner it seemed like I couldn't lose (too much). So far I am very pleased even though there is a lot of work to be done. I kept flipping between replacing my last bike (VFR800 5th gen), a Ducati or something newer like a Tracer 700 or an R1200RS. At this price I can invest a lot more in this bike and still not spend as much as those last two. The jury is still out on whether the VFR is the better bike for my purpose though as I mostly do long distance commuting. The VFR went because I haven't been on site for ages though so that may not be a problem.
Good to see you have started a thread i was very very tempted to go for it as I'm on the look out for one myself, As you are doing, take the scott oiler off and degrease everything then take it for a spin and go from there as to if there is any oil leaks, a lot will probably be from the oiler over oiling, bodywork looks good in first photo.
I have a genuine right hand silencer for a 900 that has never been fitted if you want to go back to original.
Thanks Sev. I see that the packing material isn't too expensive but I assume I would have to drill out the rivets and get myself a riveter to put them back. I am looking at ordering the hi level link pipes and brackets from http://bbbfabrications.com but not sure if the fixed brackets on these silencers will align with them when fitted. I may end up trying to find something like Termis to put on it anyway.
Hi Roadtrip. I got on the phone first thing the morning after seeing it! Didn't attempt to haggle. There's too much oil all over the engine for the oiler to be the culprit but it's going anyway. I'd rather put the work into looking after the chain than have one of those messy things cluttering up the bike. There's already way too many cable ties on the frame!
The rivets will be aluminium butter and easy to drill out. A rivet gun with rivets (low grade but plenty good enough for this) is probably £10 on ebay.
Thanks Dan but I am going to look out for a pair of better quality aftermarket ones than are currently on the bike.
