[avoca]

Hey everyone,

So question about the 900ss line: it ended in 1981, correct? Anything in 1982 is considered an s2 and not an ss? I found a 1982 ducati 900 online, listed as a 900ss, but from 1982, however the side fairing right below the seat says 900ss. Is this bike then not all original if it's from 1982? Thanks

 

[Jed]

No, the 900SS ended in 1982.
The 900SS and 900S2 had different frames, an easy check is the front engine mount.
It's flattened on the S2.

 

[avoca]

ok cool, thanks!

 

[avoca]

How come some 900ss from the same year have the single seat, and others have the dual, square looking rear-end that slopes down? Were these just options?

 

[Jed]

The 81-82 900SS only came with a dual seat.
If it has a single seat it's aftermarket.
Many owner like the earlier model 750SS / 900SS single seat look.
I fitted one to my 900SS

 

[100beck]

79 and 80 (black and gold ) only came with a dual seat also

 

[Duccout]

Ian Faloon in his book makes the point that the last 900SS models were the least likely to be uniform, as the factory was in turmoil, on the verge of bankruptcy and any parts that were to hand could be fitted. Some late MHR which used the Mille type running gear, were fitted with square case engines, some kickstart and some electric.

 

[avoca]

Interesting. Thanks ,everyone for the input. I'm looking at an '82 900ss with the dual seat, but I received some good advice once to be cautious of aftermarket or incorrect year parts. This is what I'm looking at

Motorcycles For Sale - Cycle Trader

Motorcycles For Sale: 225 Motorcycles - Find Motorcycles on Cycle Trader.

www.cycletrader.com

 

[flynbulldog]

Interesting. Thanks ,everyone for the input. I'm looking at an '82 900ss with the dual seat, but I received some good advice once to be cautious of aftermarket or incorrect year parts. This is what I'm looking at

Motorcycles For Sale - Cycle Trader

Motorcycles For Sale: 225 Motorcycles - Find Motorcycles on Cycle Trader.

www.cycletrader.com

I dont know if that ad is legitimate or not but that is a very correct unmolested 1982 900SS. According to faloons book 1982 was the lowest production year (335units) for SS bikes with 1975 having fewer 900s but along with the 750's more total units were made. At least one source has listed the 82 as the most sorted and reliable of all bevel SS models but as has been said 1982 was a year that had a bunch of possible variations to what is and isnt correct. The bike in that ad looks to me to be close to 100% correct and original. That is the correct dual seat for 82.

The only problem with the ad is the title that calls it an MH900, it isnt an MH anything. That is a redflag, most owners know what they have so just who is it that is posting the ad? Edit: oh the owner explains why it is listed as an MH so it sounds legit. I think that is a steal for a bike that is only going to go up in value. most of the good quality bevel SS bikes are being priced at around 35 or 40 K theses days.

 

[flynbulldog]

Here's a good reference for the 82 SS https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian-motorcycles/ducati-900ss-zm0z12mazbea

 

[rick81mhr900ss]

Looks like a great bike. I've no doubt that a big reason why you will see older style seats on the 82s is because the 82 double seat is so ugly. If I bought this bike, the first thing I'd do is put a single, zipper hump seat on it. Good luck avoca.

 

[rick81mhr900ss]

Here's a good reference for the 82 SS https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian-motorcycles/ducati-900ss-zm0z12mazbea

Odd report. It states that the 82 may have been "the best" but provides no information to support this claim.

 

[flynbulldog]

Odd report. It states that the 82 may have been "the best" but provides no information to support this claim.

The article does site some of the updates that have come along over the years but to me the claim feels a little toung-in-cheek, he does say that he has one and is biased. I can understand that.
And yep, mine has an earlier factory single seat on it and I have no intention of changing it back to original even though I've strived to keep the rest of the bike as correct as possible.

 

[100beck]

I must be the only one who likes the 82 double seat, I got a single seat with mine and changed it back to the double because i like it better (original is better I reckon)
Only obvious thing I see that should be more correct for the model is the early guards on that one I think should have the later squarer type guards (though as some have said, they came with all sorts of mixed parts late in the piece)

 

[Jed]

Interesting. Thanks ,everyone for the input. I'm looking at an '82 900ss with the dual seat, but I received some good advice once to be cautious of aftermarket or incorrect year parts. This is what I'm looking at

Motorcycles For Sale - Cycle Trader

Motorcycles For Sale: 225 Motorcycles - Find Motorcycles on Cycle Trader.

www.cycletrader.com

I don't think that it has genuine conti exhausts. Also fairing mounts near the headlight aren't straight??

 

[flynbulldog]

Mine has the round fenders and I'm pretty sure they are original to the bike. Yeah I saw that exhaust on the bike in cycle trader and it doesnt look correct. Exhaust is easy enough to correct if you're not hung-up on the numbers stamped on the replacement Contis and could be used as a bargaining point. I did forget to mention it in my earlier post - sorry about that. I 've never seen fairing brkts installed like that but wouldnt put it past a worker at the factory. You'd have to do it to an un-drilled fairing

 

[Bevel-Heaven]

79 and 80 (black and gold ) only came with a dual seat also

This is not true. I have owned several of these '80 super sports (black and gold) all purchased from original owners, all with solo seats as delivered.

 

[Bevel-Heaven]

1980 900 Super Sport. 2859 original miles on this original paint beauty. Everything factory except I changed the Cavis Benz fuel hose out as well as the fuel taps and, I have the airboxes and snorkels in a box.

 

[flynbulldog]

I believe 81 and 82 were the only 2 years that did not have a solo seat option.

Beautiful bike Steve!

 

[avoca]

Thanks for the posts, guys! So to get this straight, if I were to buy that one bike, I'd want to bring up the possible aftermarket exhaust and the incorrectly mounted fairing brackets?