I have a friend who wants to buy an air-cooled Ducati (class legal for Thunderbike, GT Lights and Lightweight Superbike).
What's his best option? 900SS? Monster 900? New DS1000?
Anything he should watch out for in particular? Anyone know of any race prepped Ducks for sale?
Hey Paul - may want to check out www.clubdesmo.com - it's a board that has classifieds, lots of banter. May be a good place to both look for the bike, as well as ask for opinions (from people who love these bikes). My 748 was often raced. But it's a four valve/liquid cooled bike. One big problem with bikes in this series (916, 996, 748) allegedly was flaking rocker arms. I don't believe the air cooled bikes had this, but it would be worth checking into a bit. The folks on club desmo would likely know. See you at RA?
Yep, I know where there's one prepped and for sale. e-mail me for the details if he/she is still interested- r11gsa@yahoo.com ;D
Please put a Duc reference in the header so I don't spam it.
QuoteI have a friend who wants to buy an air-cooled Ducati (class legal for Thunderbike, GT Lights and Lightweight Superbike).
What's his best option? 900SS? Monster 900? New DS1000?
Anything he should watch out for in particular? Anyone know of any race prepped Ducks for sale?
Let me start out by saying I do NOT race a Air Cooled Duc.
But I am a A/C duc owner.
I don't know anything about the DS1000, but the 900ss and the monster are differant in the Tanny as far as the motor goes.
If you have the option, I would get a 900SS SP for racing, it will tower over the monster in many differant aspects... I know Fast by Ferraci has a 944 kit and I have heard of people using 748 gears in the tranny (not real clear about that).
As far as things to watch for.... learn to adjust values, I have seen welds brake on the swing arm, carry alot of spare plugs (the foul out easy).. and its a Duc, so it will be tempermental :P
Hands down, get a non 900SS to race...
M900 is a great chassis, pre 1997 had bigger valves and bigger cams than the later models. M900 has a real rear shock linkage, superbike geometry, and the ability to corner without draggin its headers... The SS has none fo these...
Things to do - Fit oversized oil cooler, fit lower clip-ons, change out master cylinder and lines, fit adjustable forks, fit hi comp pistons, fit 41mm Kehins, change gearing, etc
Things NOT to do - Fit light weight flywheel, go any bigger than 944 (motor has trouble sheding heat with just hi comp pistons) wild porting, cams, big valves ( spend $3k for 8-12 hp)
You can get an older SS for under 4k Figure on $4k more to make it top shelf race ready. You can often find one with the forks already swapped, pistons and carbs for about $6 is you look. M900's run a bit more, and require a bit more work, but make a better platform when you are done.
Good luck!
Will
Thanks guys. I really appreciate the info...
Tom, clubdesmo looks like a great resource. Thanks. I will see you at RA, or maybe Topeka? Heading to Daytona two weeks from today...
251am, you have mail.
Xian_13 and Will, thanks for your opinions.
My friend Nick has been racing AHRMA vintage bikes for the past few seasons and wants to race closer to home. He has previous Ducati ownership experience and really wants to race something different...
Thanks again for the input.
This is not PC, but is MDs old Duc available for sale? You could try that route through BCM...
Good luck in Daytona Paul.. wish I were going, but I have to wait till Topeka. Doing some major upgrades to the M-2. Hope to have it all done by weekend after this coming. Have you talked to Karl latley? just wondering. Shoot me an e-mail when you get a chance and catch me up on whats been going on with you. Have a great time in Daytona! Mark...