DB2 engine problems

[anatak]

Does anybody know if the DB2 has the same engine problems as the 900SS from that era ?
crack in carter, valve guides and some other things but I can not really recall at the moment.

I am looking at a DB2 that is for sale but the engine is not starting and the bike is for sale in an auction lot about 800 Km's from my place so I can not go over to take a quick look (damn you speed limits).
It is possible the engine is not starting because of a dead battery. They don't really check the bikes thoroughly.
There are about 9000 km on the speedometer so I think there is a big chance that the engine is still ok.

any comments ?
On the other hand maybe this bike will sell cheaply and I can go hunt for a spare 900 SS engine to replace it.

[dnovo]

The DB2 (and the DB3 and DB4 other than the DB4ie) used an unmodified, stock Ducati 900SS engine. There should be no differences between the one in the DB2 you are contemplating buying and any other 900SS of the same vintage. Parts remain plentiful and it is a relatively easy engine to work on. Dave

[quadrasuarass]

Carbs were lightly modified to match Bimota exhaust and gave a much smoother response than stock 900SS, cylinder head bolts have been known to break but there is a later (stainless?) version that solves that problem relatively cheaply. If its been sitting for a while the battery is the first place to look.

[anatak]

Thanks everybody for the responses.

to quadrasuarass
do you know a source for the stainless cylinder head bolts ?

[Muschi]

i think the later generation of SS900 cylinder studs weren't stainless,
but slighty increased in diameter, from 7.6 to 8mm, starting in 1993
with engine number 013833. Older studs are silver, the later ones
are black. They can be purchased at any ducati dealer, there are
some nice aftermarket studs available also, at places like california
cycle works in example.

cheers.

[quadrasuarass]

The local Ducati dealer did the fix for me, I don't have the bike anymore and it was a while back so I'm a bit vague on the exact details, the other Muschi response seems to cover all aspects of this issue.

Originally Posted by anatak

Thanks everybody for the responses.

to quadrasuarass
do you know a source for the stainless cylinder head bolts ?