Long Road back for the Duc - Ducati.ms

retrex · Oct 12th, 2006, 4:15 pm

Hi all. I am not officially a Ducati owner. I am in possesion of my brother in law's brother's bike. I believe it to be a 1998 or 99 Ducati 900 Supersport Desmodue, I'm not sure which year.

My brother in law's brother was killed while riding this bike. It was not his fault, it was one of those tragic stories that we as bikers hear all too often. Non-licensed underaged driver making a wrong turn at an intersection, you know the rest of the story.

I ended up with the bike in my basement when my sister and he moved out of state. Technically I believe it was totaled. I guess that he couldn't take it with him but did not want to junk it for various reasons and because it was his brother's pride and joy, so I ended up as steward of the bike.

It sat in my basement unmoved and untouched for just over a year. I have three vintage bikes of my own to wrench and normally very little time to spare. Lately I have had more time on my hands due to my job being outsourced by my former employer and I am up to date on my own bikes.

Today, because it was a wet cold day and I had nothing to do, I started to fiddle with the Duc. Appearance wise the front end and right side of the fairing were smashed up pretty good, the left less so but it still had significant damage. The left hand controls, right turn signal, tach, and speedo were toast but the headlight assembly looked to be intact, but dramatically askew. The gas tank top was creased over most of its surface The tail section of the bike was also damaged, the central hand rail section specifically. The bike would not turn much to the right. To pass the time I started to disassemble the fairing and pack it away in a large box.

After removing all the body work and examining the framework preliminary observation shows that the major damage was to the front framework that holds the light and fairing pieces. The bike seems intact physically in all other mechanical ways.

Which brings me to the reason for this thread. I think that I am going to try and bring the bike back to working order. I am going to need the help of any of you out there that are willing to help. So if any of you out there have any interest in seeing a Duc turn into a Phoenix and want to participate keep an eye on this thread.

PS I am going to need a lot of help.

ward · Oct 12th, 2006, 9:12 pm

This is the place for advice, assistance and generally nice-ness!

Keep the questions and updates posted...

Given the damage list you listed, I'd be concerned about the frame. Also it does sound like you might be spending more on fixing it than on buying a replacement bike. I know this is not what it's about but... Fairings, tanks, headlights... $$$$

Maximus-Speedicus · Oct 13th, 2006, 3:42 am

I was going to go the other way.

Friend bought a 2nd hand CBR600f that had been rebuilt after a crash with a truck. Rider was killed.

He proudly told us this info, from that point we called his bike "Christine" (movie car) and NEVER looked her in the headlight. You know what they say about dogs, Once they taste blood....

I wish you all the best but I am afraid of bikes that MAY have been taught bad habits...

Sell it.

Mal

supersparky750 · Oct 13th, 2006, 3:54 am

post some pics. According to the workshop manual, the eighth digit of the number on the frame is the model year. Just in case you're curious.

retrex · Oct 13th, 2006, 5:54 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by ward

Given the damage list you listed, I'd be concerned about the frame. Also it does sound like you might be spending more on fixing it than on buying a replacement bike. I know this is not what it's about but... Fairings, tanks, headlights... $$$$

I just did a cursory after I got the bodywork off. The main bones of the bike look solid, but I know this can change quickly.

Yeah I know that I can buy one cheaper than what it is going to cost in parts, but it would not be his brothers bike. For me its not having another ride, its a way of keeping his brothers memory alive for him and me. If I were to croak I would want him to hold onto, ride, and maintain whatever bikes I had. In checking around for parts availabilty it looks like it is not going to be easy in any event.

retrex · Oct 13th, 2006, 6:01 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus-Speedicus

I was going to go the other way.

Friend bought a 2nd hand CBR600f that had been rebuilt after a crash with a truck. Rider was killed.

He proudly told us this info, from that point we called his bike "Christine" (movie car) and NEVER looked her in the headlight. You know what they say about dogs, Once they taste blood....

I wish you all the best but I am afraid of bikes that MAY have been taught bad habits...

Sell it.

Mal

The same exact feelings I had when he suggested that I take the bike and work on it. This was shortly after the accident, a couple of years before it ended up in my basement as jetsam. I am not over anxious to ride it, but it would be nice to start it up when he comes to visit and let him take it for a spin.

retrex · Oct 13th, 2006, 6:05 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by supersparky750

post some pics. According to the workshop manual, the eighth digit of the number on the frame is the model year. Just in case you're curious.

Will do, I am going to need them for reference upon reassembly. Thanks for the model year info. I guess the next step after precisely identifying the model and year will be to get a shop manual. Geez I hope it isn't in Italian.

jack · Oct 13th, 2006, 8:11 am

There's tons of stuff still available for the SS models. Try www.duc.nu or Haynes for manuals. Check ebay and craigslist, I think there was a guy parting out an SS recently on the Boston craigslist. I think a restoration/resurection can be very satisfying, especially if it reminds someone of better times. Good luck and don't be shy about asking questions here.

retrex · Oct 13th, 2006, 4:56 pm

Test Pics, currently loading, running out of time. More to come.

Iwannaduc · Oct 13th, 2006, 5:22 pm

From the pictures you posted only, I have a few comments to add.
1st, from the fairings it looks to be a pre-98 model 900SS
2nd, the fairings look repairable (believe me, I've repaired much worse than that) for the most part, with the exception of the headlight surround. It's pretty well toast but who knows, it could be salvagable.
3rd, it doesn't look like the front end took a big hit. The frame looks straight, there doesn't appear to be any cracked paint or anything to indicate that the frame has been bent. The forks and triple trees look ok too, just the fairing stay/headlight bracket, bars and clocks need complete replacement.

This is just an assessment from the pictures, the actual needs may be more encompassing than what I can tell. I say, dive right in. Start with a tear down and assess what's needed and go from there. I love seeing a bike lovingly restored to glory.......sean