Interesting 900SS

Derek

Derek

Elite Member
Subscriber
This might appeal to the project bike guys.
I was in Angus Classic Bikes in Forfar today and saw a rather interesting 900SS there. It is a customer's bike in for a couple of small jobs apparently.
At first glance it was rather unappealing, to me anyway. J reg'd, so quite an early one about '92 or '93. A silver tank, red single seat in a similar style to a Superlight but not a Superlight one, red frame, no fairings, lower than normal clip ons and a single round headlamp. More cafe racer than streetfighter. What didn't appeal at all was the red swinging arm, red crankcases and red cambelt covers and the total lack of instruments - nothing. :eek:
Then I started noticing the interesting bits: Keihin flat slide carbs with no filters at all with the battery mounted in front of them, oil cooler relocated above the horizontal cylinder head, Brembo monobloc front calipers, an under slung rear caliper with a Superlight floating linkage and most impressively wire wheels. I don't know if these are from a Sport Classic or something else.
I'll see if I can find out more about this bike and get a few pictures. It must be local but I've never seen it before. :confused:
 
Interesting right enough.

Seems the whole world is modifying SS's. :)

Wheel conversion can be expensive depending on which route you go down.

My experience was cheap with a bit of work or easy and pay a fortune.
 
I might pop in for a look on Thursday - though I seem to have commited myself to around 40 hours of jobs in the 7.5 extra I will gain from my day off... Sounds sort of hideous, sort of appealing. Helena Bonham Carter?
 
Pict said:
I might pop in for a look on Thursday - though I seem to have commited myself to around 40 hours of jobs in the 7.5 extra I will gain from my day off... Sounds sort of hideous, sort of appealing. Helena Bonham Carter?
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7.5 hrs fir a working day,feckin office boys fir ye :gay:
 
I said I'd find out more, apparently the owner is in the forces and has brought it from down South.
Here are a few pictures;

DSCF2096.JPG

Note the FCRs, steering damper, brakes and wheels.

DSCF2097.JPG

The wheels are not Ducati

DSCF2098.JPG

Close up of carbs.

DSCF2095.JPG


DSCF2093.JPG


DSCF2094.JPG

The other side. Note the casing is from a 4V with the water pump blanked off and also the routing of the oil drains.

DSCF2092.JPG


The 984 on the seat would mean it's been overbored to to take 96mm pistons to give 984cc. Somebody has spent a lot of money on this bike.
 
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looks a cracking bike,
maybe not the best idea to publish the Reg No. full spec and location on a public forum without the owners permission though!
 
See what you mean about 'sort of nice sort of hideous'. Like the seat but that headlight would have to go. One of those 3/4 fairings for the US market would be nice. Any idea what a bike with the 984 kit is like? Got one on the bench and not too sure if I should put it on or wait for a spare motor to turn up. Curious to know how the starter fares against 11/1.
 
Bike is lying in a shop so would guess anyone that was that bothered could find the details quick enough.
Garage could remove number plate if it was an issue?

Looks like front wheel of an RD in last photo? Should be white tank and red graphics ?
 
Interesting bike, 984cc & short intake split FCRs, should go nicely. Blanked off water pump area on lh crankase cover, maybe its a whole ST2 engine?
 
239desmo said:
Bike is lying in a shop so would guess anyone that was that bothered could find the details quick enough.
Garage could remove number plate if it was an issue?
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I think we get a bit paranoid about number plates shown on-line. We all ride about in public every day with number plates on full display to all and sundry. Is there really any difference when it is shown in a photograph on the net? To keep the worriers happy I have blurred the number plates. :rolleyes:
239desmo said:
Looks like front wheel of an RD in last photo? Should be white tank and red graphics ?
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Probably, the place specialises in classic Japanese bikes.
 
I was more concerned with it being posted without the owners concent than a serious threat to it being stolen from the shop, however there is a current thread over on UKMOC regarding two bikes (very nicely moded) which have just been stolen from within a locked garage after details of the specs were posted on the forum.
One of the bikes had no rear suspension fittet at the time of the theft so must have been taken by van, presumably they new where to look and what they were getting.
thread here (if this works) http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=43042&highlight=stolen
 
Of all the bikes that could be cloned, I think the chances of anyone with exactly the same spec/description as this one ever finding this post must surely be pretty remote!

True about the fact that the location is mentioned, but it is a bike shop, so the security should be pretty good as it's a known location for multiple bikes, just like any main dealer is. An individual's private lock-up which is anonymous is a different matter, as are private houses, etc.
 
Dukess1999 said:
Interesting bike, 984cc & short intake split FCRs, should go nicely. Blanked off water pump area on lh crankase cover, maybe its a whole ST2 engine?
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+ SL cast iron discs and what looks like Monoblock GP calipers :eek:

Oddly enough over on DSC I've been trying to track down info on fitting wire wheels for someone with a 1992 750ss - seems its so hard / expensive as not to be entertained these days ??? (sadly).
 
Cheers for this Derek - it is very interesting and IMHO looks a lot better than the initial description suggested. Lots of wee details...
 
iconic944ss said:
Oddly enough over on DSC I've been trying to track down info on fitting wire wheels for someone with a 1992 750ss - seems its so hard / expensive as not to be entertained these days ??? (sadly).
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"Best" way may be for Alpina items but when I checked out the prices they were megabucks.

Possible that something Japanese may fit (may be what this owner has done?) but I went for a pair of Sport Classic wheels and changed bearings and a bit of machining and did it for a fraction of the cost of Alpina items.
 
Grade A hideous!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure this bike was for sale in Route 65, Ilkley, West Yorkshire. Would have been about a year, year 1/2 ago. Hideous price to!!
 
Often browsing but not passing comment! I can't help speaking my mind. I start typing on plenty of occasions then dont post! You can see why!
 
I know it's an old thread but I had to post after stumbling across the photos.

The bike was created in 1995/6 for the Ally Pally show as a showpiece for Chris Clarke Motorcycles, alongside a 944 Monster and a couple of 916s. I had the idea to build the bike in a retro cafe racer style and myself and two other guys built it with no expense spared. It's a shame the chrome clocks are missing and the bike now looks a little tired.

Looking at the photo's jogged some memories as to its specification too. I also know that the bike prompted the factory to look at something similar which later became the MHE.

Although we used to build race engines around the SS engine (twice BEARs champions) we decided in this instance to keep the level of tune relatively mild with just a 984 big bore using Cosworth Pistons, Carrillo rods and a full balance. There were quite a few trick, specialist parts which only we supplied. Akront rims attached to our own spec' hubs, Kamna rear sets, Boss multi-tube primary pipes etc. The seat unit again was our take on a Supermono seat to fit to the SS frame and all the paintwork was undertaken by Pageant Paintwork even using Gold Leaf for the Meccanica logo.
 
Nev said:
I know it's an old thread but I had to post after stumbling across the photos.

The bike was created in 1995/6 for the Ally Pally show as a showpiece for Chris Clarke Motorcycles, alongside a 944 Monster and a couple of 916s. I had the idea to build the bike in a retro cafe racer style and myself and two other guys built it with no expense spared. It's a shame the chrome clocks are missing and the bike now looks a little tired.

Looking at the photo's jogged some memories as to its specification too. I also know that the bike prompted the factory to look at something similar which later became the MHE.

Although we used to build race engines around the SS engine (twice BEARs champions) we decided in this instance to keep the level of tune relatively mild with just a 984 big bore using Cosworth Pistons, Carrillo rods and a full balance. There were quite a few trick, specialist parts which only we supplied. Akront rims attached to our own spec' hubs, Kamna rear sets, Boss multi-tube primary pipes etc. The seat unit again was our take on a Supermono seat to fit to the SS frame and all the paintwork was undertaken by Pageant Paintwork even using Gold Leaf for the Meccanica logo.
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Now that is an interesting first post on the forum!
(Molenz will probably contribute as it is your first post! ;):) )

Would you care to give us any more clues as to who the royal "" we" are? :lol2:

And welcome to the forum meantime!
 
Thanks but I only intended to post the information so that you might understand 'what it was'. I used to run the workshop that produced the specials and race bikes.
 
Ducati 984 Cafe Racer

Hi, I have just joined. I am the owner of the Ducati 984 Cafe Racer (very old thread). I had no idea that it was on, especially the pictures. I am just about to overhaul the bike again.
 
Ducati 984

mer said:
Hi, I have just joined. I am the owner of the Ducati 984 Cafe Racer (very old thread). I had no idea that it was on, especially the pictures. I am just about to overhaul the bike again.
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Hi

And welcome, very much glad to hear this.

Scott
 
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