1998 600ss. 17,000mls. I bought one of these brand new, this brings back some good feelings. That one I owned for three great years, it was my only transport and I sold it with 25,000 miles on it. It was a brilliant bike and the only bike I ever bought new, it was great feeling riding that out of the shop. What do you reckon of this one? :wink:
Thanks, yes it was a shuffle getting in there, but that's cool. Really glad to have it, its a nice one. Other things in the garage? Well theres a 74 450 which I have had since 1996 and a 748 sps which I have rebuilt. Other bikes are a BMW R80/7 and Enfield that was ridden from Calcutta to London and then to Capetown (currently my daily runner) and a 1930 500cc aJs. Probably the most interesting thing is my car, a 1960 Auto Union DKW 1000s. I'll try to attach a pic, hang on. Billy
No that was an NSU four cylinder motor I think. The DKW car has a three cylinder 1000cc two stroke engine with roller bearing crankshaft. Check them out on Youtube, great fun, rather silly but once you get over the giggling you realise they are a very well engineered car. Extremely rare, especially in RHD. Total oddball. Suicide doors to the front add to the oddity factor.
Lovely, of course, their small singles were nicked by BSA for the design of the bantam. Will have a look on you tube
Kin hell, sorry Billy- but IMHO that car is bl**dy ugly - its a cross between a Morris Minor and a Beetle - it should have been called a Minitle.....
I prefered the Karmann Ghia........... a retro version of the Audi TT that mated with a Beetle........... AL
Nice 600 Billy, I bought one earlier this year looks in very similar condition to yours, love your eclectic collection!!
Was looking at this one for a number of weeks on fleabay Billy but turned her down a the last minute. The pics the seller provided didn't really do her any justice from what was originally listed. But at the end of the day she's an SS. Starting to feel a little gutted now LoL!! If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay??
Thanks CornishDuke, yes I was a bit indecisive but had the advantage of being nearby so could have a good look at it. He said he had someone in Cornwall interested but you never know with a seller! His pics weren't that great and the bike does have a few little marks here and there but overall I'd say its been well looked after and generally kept away from the moisture which is hard on a Ducatis finish especially on the forks, frame and motor. She is a SS but the 600 is very mild, but a bike that is smooth handles well and is so lovely and simple. I rate them even if others don't. It could do with an oil and fluids change and I'll bung a new set of belts on before I get riding it properly but its got an excellent engine, it seems quieter than my old 96 bike even from new but I think the 98 bikes had different pistons, and maybe a couple of other things that improved on the earlier bike. I note too that this one had fairing scoops that direct air to the rear cylinder although I never had any problems there and rode the bike quite hard through several scorching Australian summers. I did aim to bargain him down but could not fault the bike so paid him his asking price which I think was quite fair. Not the best time to sell a bike really. I am not keen on passing it on as the plan is to sell my old air head BMW which is a good bike but I can't quite get to grips with the handling. I think that once you get used to Ducatis other bikes can feel a bit ponderous. Its a bike which I can ride two up with my wife as well which is good. I went out testing it yesterday after puttting fresh gas in, fiddling about and dropping the idle speed and it has no problems getting into three figure speeds, although its doing 7 at a 100mph. Just like the old one. Very healthy and happy but definitely lacking that sheer torque and throttle response of the 900. I never rode the 750. Interestingly when I bought the old 600 my Brother had a 900ss and a 600 Pantah and it amused me that my bike was a strange mix of these two and in some ways had the best bits of both, again a matter of opinion! A lovely smooth and light bike, handles well, easy to maintain and I believe a great deal in todays money. What other bikes do you have? Pic of old 450 attached! Billy.
Great review Billy, managed to put a few miles on mine yesterday as well, lovely afternoon and not too much traffic on the roads. Come on Cornish you need to crack on and buy one, there are still a couple for sale out there!
