Hi, i have just brought a 1996 900ss, i brought it from a bike shop unseen, yep i know lol, but i did see 10 pictures and it was described as well looked after and to be honest it has in a cosmetic way, its done out in the foggy race rep, so its a real head turner and in very good condition, but the speedo and temp gauge do not work, and also when changing the spark plugs i noticed that the front spark plug is all clean but the one to the rear is coated in dry black soot, and the bike seems gutless, i was all ready for the legendary Ducati torque but its just not there, ive had about 6 1000cc bikes including the 1098s and a few 600cc all sports bikes, at best my 900ss feels like a slow 600cc, any idea`s guys, cheers
Welcome to SS ownership! They are awesome bikes. Very easy to work on IMO Speedo will most likely be the cable, which can get rounded, but could be the drive on the front wheel or the dial. Temp gauge I dont have as that was about the first year it was on the SS, its a simple system with a sensor on the mesh filter at the bottow of the engine on the right, requires oil draining to remove and test. The rear cylinder runs hotter than the front and is often the one which is the problem child. Mine is like this and I am currently chasing the problem. If its sooty and dry its rich possibly. Balance carbs (easy) and check the shims, especially if perhaps you dont know history or have recent service. The soot will be impeding spark hence bad running/sluggish. Plenty knowledge on here, just ask.
