i might be getting an SS

[ast3risk]

so i had an 05 triumph speed triple. due to a combination of factors, i need to get some cash ASAP.

this guy is offering 3.5k + this: "It is a 1996 Supersport 900 SS/SP with a 944cc Fast by Ferracci kit and 41mm Keihin flatslides carbs and C/F high slip ons."

does this sound about right?
he said that it doesnt like to be in stop in go traffic, what does that mean?
i have never owned a duc, can someone point me in the right direction to learn basically from the beginning, all about the SS and that other jazz he said?

sorry for being so ignorant, but im trying to improve.
thank you

[cdansan]

That is a fair price for what you are looking at. The reference to traffic is most likely heat related. They are reliable motors and if maintained will last a long time.

Good lock, Dan

[GregP]

It's a bit of a crap shoot. If the guy has service history and the bike looks taken care of it might be a solid runner for a very long time.

However, I've owned three Ducatis. The first a used one. I personally will never buy a used Ducati ever again.

As indicated, if maintained the aircooled 900 lump is pretty bullet proof.

Take some deatiled phots and post them up. I'm sure someone will pipe in with info.

Good luck.

[944SS]

My opinion, given it's your first Duck and you are buying used, I'd stay away. Buying used, it's usually better to get an engine as close to stock as possible. A whole world of hurt is waiting if the job wasn't done right. Even if it's just tweaking, that's time consuming and frustrating if it's your first time through.

Besides, with the SS, doing the mods yourself is part of that great Ducati ownership journey.

[ast3risk]

ill try to get a service history and take some pics to post. i do understand that all the mods will make the situation more complicated. I know he did not do the install of the 944 kit or flat side carbs himself because he went on and on about how expensive the labor was.

i guess im trying to push the trade because my speed three seems to be depreciating every second and people arent biting considering the winter is coming up.

thanks for all the help

[chaas67]

My 95 900ss/cr was my first motorcycle and I bought it used and have had no problems with it !! ( other than rider induced )

I use mine exclusively on the track and do 95% of the work myself. There are plenty of worthy mods to do and the bike overall is fun to ride.

Be sure to check around the steering head area for cracks in the frame. Not sure if it was prevelant in your model year but something to check anyway. There are pics of those who have had an issue so just use the search function.

Good luck !!

[ast3risk]

so i emailed the guy back (he actually referred me to this forum)
and this is the response:

The carbs and the 944 were on the bike when I bought it in 2000. I paid $5500. I have done the maintenance myself.

Last winter I replaced Spark plug and starter wiring.
Sprag clutch and starter. It was done at Martineurosports.
I also put a new battery in it.

You are absolutely correct. They are bullet proof IF you treat them right.

I have put about 6k miles on it and it's never left me stranded. The only issue has been the starter which is in part my fault because I wasn't starting it right.

I do have a little notebook where I keep records of all the bikes. http://www.martineurosports.com
Bill Himmelsback checked the valves when I got it and again last winter.

That's about it.... No mechanical problems so far.

These carbs don't have a choke. And they are VERY cold blooded. When you first start it in the morning, you must squeeze about three - four times to prime them, open the throttle about 1/3 to 1/2 and hit the button. It'll start right up. If you don't have the swing of it you'll run out of battery and it won't start.

I've ridden it on weekends and I even did track days with it. Never a problem.



... o and i will definitely check for cracks.
sorry for being completely ignorant, but should this email relax me or make me more warry of the bike?

elliott

[cdansan]

the 96 is supposed to not crack the frame but they do it too, check around the main tubes and smaller bracing tubes at the steering head.

check the head bolts they should be gold colored, the silver ones have a habit of breaking.

the 944 kit and the flat slides you would have done eventually, the flat slides if set up well will start reliably and make the bike more fuel efficient and run better.

check the swingarm at the pinch bolts at the pivot, they have been known to crack there also.

If you decide to buy it, change the cam belts for peace of mind and every 10k miles or 2 years after that. Have it serviced (valves adjusted) by someone that knows what they are doing, then learn how to do it yourself afterwards.

There is a good support group here, someone will be able to answer your questions.

Dan

[cagivaduc]

He might have also been referring to the fact that the clutch lever can be stiff so the stop-and-go in the city can really wear out your left hand.

It's a great bike and with those mods, a good price.

Eric
'93 900SS
'93 750SS
used to have a '85 650 Alazzurra

[Desmomaniac]

Originally Posted by cdansan

the 96 is supposed to not crack the frame but they do it too, check around the main tubes and smaller bracing tubes at the steering head.

yep the '96 frames crack too... had mine replaced by ducati goodwill back in 2002... i gave them the old frame, they gave me a new one... so far, so good.

check welds near the tank latch bracket. discovered mine after disassembling to powdercoat frame for acid leak years before when the dealer didn't replace battery vent tube after first service. one of many things that motivated me to start doing my own service. didn't/couldn't see the crack until after removing the air box.

edu-ma-cate yourself before you buy... lot's of online resources...

dyna-coils and wires will greatly improve any starting probs w/ the flatslides and/or 944. helps smooth stop'n'go traffic a lot too. stock coils' spark is very weak.

evoluzione or yo-yo-dyne's clutch slave will smooth out that clutch too.

nice stainless braided or kevlar brake and clutch lines make so much of difference if not already on it.

sounds like a decent deal but i ain't the one wanting to buy it.

if you wrench yourself, find a good source for oem/aftermarket parts. if you don't wrench, pray you have someone competent nearby. i either am or will be a repeat costumer to folks like ducati seattle, bcm, motoeuropa, ducshop, ca-cycleworks, evoluzione, motowheels... just to name a few.

[ast3risk]

thanks for all the advice. this forum seems to be full of people ready to help out. i think ill go for it. i dont "wrench" but want to learn, and figure this bike is cheap enough that i wont feel bad trying things out on it i guess.

[TrickLidz]

Here's a good place to learn to "wrench" on the Duc:



http://ssnyder.proboards7.com/index.cgi?action=register
Get the book there also.

[ast3risk]

so i finally got the test drive the duc and was really turned off by how hard it was to start. the guy told me that its a real cold blooded machine with the carbs. i am really looking for a bike that i can ride all year round without spending 10 minutes every morning twisting throttle cables and wasting battery on several false starts.

if i took off the carbs and had a choke, could this bike be a good year long commuter + occasional tourer, or should i keep looking?

o ps: this was the first time i road a duc and my impressions were:
great ergos
great sound
terribly recovery from the throttle. compared to my 96 ninja and 2005 speed 3 this thing feels like a locomotive or something.

[cagivaduc]

Shouldn't be that hard to start with the flatslides. I have flatslides and it always starts with the first push of the button. If I twist the throttle first it will flood. Check the plugs. Keep it on a tender.

[corse955]

Tune the flatslides. Increasing the idle while starting helps too. Dyna coils are worth while also. California Cycleworks has a nice kit for the SS. Snyders book is money in the bank. You will love the bike.

Courtney

[ast3risk]

when i went to test drive. the owner had to pump the throttle several times, mess with the idle several times, and start it up several times before it started working. is this a common thing with the carbs? or is there some other problem?

[chaas67]

As mentioned earlier, check the plugs. The spark plug wires could be shot and the coils might not be in the best of shape. (assuming these items are still stock or havent been replaced in some time )

I don't have the FCR's but I don't have a problem starting mine when it's cold or warm. It talkes a bit to 'warm' up but that's about it.

The carbs could just need a good cleaning and tuning too.

[Desmomaniac]

sort of typical flatslide behavior... not friendly on start ups but oh so friendly on throttle response in the twisties when warmed up. there's no choke on the fcr's... there's an idle advance but that only helps a bit and has to be adjusted as bike warms up.

dynacoils & ngk plugs and wires will improve this greatly...

the fcr's are really optimal when running with lightened flywheels and clutch baskets/hubs. throttle response will be awesome.

also i've found that fcr's and or hicomp/bigbore kits will give a weak battery an early death. especially if a standard water/acid battery, replace with a newer sealed battery and keep on a battery tender.

another thing is that water likes to collect in the rubber boot from the connection from battery cable to the starter. this, on top of electricity causes things to corrode very quickly leading to difficult starts. replace cables, threaded fasteners, and fill boot with dielectric grease to keep water out.

[cagivaduc]

That's a great point about using grease. I know a couple guys who also had (older) Pantah engines where the spark plug boot on the front cylinder had water pooling which kept it from firing. It can catch a lot of spray since it's right behind the front wheel. Another good place for grease.

Eric



another thing is that water likes to collect in the rubber boot from the connection from battery cable to the starter. this, on top of electricity causes things to corrode very quickly leading to difficult starts. replace cables, threaded fasteners, and fill boot with dielectric grease to keep water out.[/quote]

[ast3risk]

so the deal went sour.
now im still stuck with an 05 speed3. still needing some cash, and now to add to that, completely in love with the ergos and sound of the 900SS.

any suggestions besides the obvious? anyone know anyone?