In 1993, I purchased my first Ducati, a brand new 900 SS. I replaced it two years later with a 95 900 SS SP. Shortly thereafter I started doing track days, and began to run in to the limits of the 2v Ducati.
I sold the Super Sport and bought a 95 916 and raced it in AFM Open Twins and Open Superbike for several seasons. The 916 was brilliant on the track, and not much fun on the street. I always missed the accessible torque, comfort, and street appropriate manners of the 900 Super Sport. I vowed to get another one some day.
That day came in 2015 when I found a 92 model on Craigslist for $3500. Original owner, who was a professional mechanic and had taken very good care of it during its 8600 miles. Staintune canisters, high compression pistons, Keihin Flatslides two sets of body work (full and half fairing) and a host of enhancements. Reuniting with my first love was wonderful, and while I have put precious few miles on her, she sits next to my 916 in the shop. I don't ride much these days but as during the past 20 years I've spent most of my time on two wheels with dirt or sand under them.
Now I'm back hoping to go on the occasional Sunday morning or mid-week ride on the roads here in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Super Sport is in good running condition save carbs that stick due to the ethanol based fuel we get here in California, and the crack in the upper frame tube, near the steering head, common on the the early Super Sports. I've procrastinated for years but this winter, with my other projects either complete, or in their own "next steps" I have time and the energy to finally repair the frame. I have gussets for the frame and a very talented welder to melt the metal
Last week I disassembled the motorcycle completely. The engine needs nothing past some cleaning (and I'll check the valve clearances) but the frame needs to be welded and repainted. The original owner painted the wheel centers gold and left the rims polished aluminum. I will have them painted white as original.
Past repairing the frame, my goal is a cosmetic restoration, which will consist largely of cleaning the accumulated dirt and grime. What I have not determined is how to address the fasteners. Replating them (I think they're plated with Yellow Zinc) seems foolish because they're soft, and not in great condition. I don't want to stray too far from original appearance, but I'm unaware of replacement fastener kits.
Does anyone have any suggestions or guidance regarding what to do about the fasteners? Again, my goal is to retain as much of the original appearance as is possible.
Ciao!
-tj in the Cruz Mtns
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I sold the Super Sport and bought a 95 916 and raced it in AFM Open Twins and Open Superbike for several seasons. The 916 was brilliant on the track, and not much fun on the street. I always missed the accessible torque, comfort, and street appropriate manners of the 900 Super Sport. I vowed to get another one some day.
That day came in 2015 when I found a 92 model on Craigslist for $3500. Original owner, who was a professional mechanic and had taken very good care of it during its 8600 miles. Staintune canisters, high compression pistons, Keihin Flatslides two sets of body work (full and half fairing) and a host of enhancements. Reuniting with my first love was wonderful, and while I have put precious few miles on her, she sits next to my 916 in the shop. I don't ride much these days but as during the past 20 years I've spent most of my time on two wheels with dirt or sand under them.
Now I'm back hoping to go on the occasional Sunday morning or mid-week ride on the roads here in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Super Sport is in good running condition save carbs that stick due to the ethanol based fuel we get here in California, and the crack in the upper frame tube, near the steering head, common on the the early Super Sports. I've procrastinated for years but this winter, with my other projects either complete, or in their own "next steps" I have time and the energy to finally repair the frame. I have gussets for the frame and a very talented welder to melt the metal
Last week I disassembled the motorcycle completely. The engine needs nothing past some cleaning (and I'll check the valve clearances) but the frame needs to be welded and repainted. The original owner painted the wheel centers gold and left the rims polished aluminum. I will have them painted white as original.
Past repairing the frame, my goal is a cosmetic restoration, which will consist largely of cleaning the accumulated dirt and grime. What I have not determined is how to address the fasteners. Replating them (I think they're plated with Yellow Zinc) seems foolish because they're soft, and not in great condition. I don't want to stray too far from original appearance, but I'm unaware of replacement fastener kits.
Does anyone have any suggestions or guidance regarding what to do about the fasteners? Again, my goal is to retain as much of the original appearance as is possible.
Ciao!
-tj in the Cruz Mtns
