[mark carlton]

Anyone give any advice on what to look for when buying an older 900SS or 750SS. I'm interested to know about serious mechanical issues that might be expensive, difficult or not worth/impossible to fix. I would like to use the bike as a base for conversion to a naked/cafe racer style bike and don't want to get caught out because of ignorance.

 

[cb4265]

Hi Mike,

Not sure what years were affected but some are known to crack frame at the head stem.

In the other thread you ask about ST's as a suitable base for your cafe project. The main difference is air cooled to water cooled and old school carbies against EFI.
Have you looked at the Radical Ducati examples?

Where in OZ are you?

Craig

 

[mark carlton]

Thanks again Craig. I will have a look. And I'm in Melbourne!

 

[cb4265]

Quite a few good guys down there, not sure if they are active on here though.

Craig

 

[mark carlton]

Yeah I don't really know anyone. Last time I owned ducatis the internet didint even exist haha. I have also noticed there are not too many ss available, especially hard to come by in Victoria!

 

[cb4265]

I'm sure you would have looked at Used Motorcycle For Sale - Buy and Sell Motorcycles Australia - bikesales.com.au

Brad the bike boy is a great mechanic & supplier down there BikeBoy.org he may know of someone?

ST's are plentiful for cheap, but you will have to cut the frame depending on your plans....

A mate of mine cafed a Hypermotard using a custom seat and a 999 tank, it looks cool but it's got modern fruit on it, like forged wheels, monoblock calipers & ohlins suspension, it only owes him 7k

Craig