Should I get a Ducati 900SS

[BillyJ]

Been offered a nice Ducati 900SS from a friend who needs more space, it has a small dent in the tank but other than that all is perfect.

It's one of the nicer old models not the disgusting newer ones.

£1000
16,000 miles
Minor problems with starter motor wiring and front wheel isn't perfectly straight but it has passed MOT and been driven a lot like that so obviously is not a big issue.

What do you guys think?
I would have quite a few months to do it up before riding it.

EDIT:
pic:
https://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab5/billyjeans1/ducatii_zps3345add0.png
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Had: '06 CBR125R + '01 GSF600 + '07 SPRINT ST 1050 + '80 CB250 RSA + '93 Ducati 900SS
Have: '13 GSXR-1000 + '01 CB500S
"The aryan confuser"

[Matt B]

For a grand I'd buy it and throw it round a few track days.

They are Marmite bikes - you are going to love it or hate it.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Islander]

For that price I'd buy it. Fun bike.

[Rogerborg]

[sickpup]

I f you don't want it I'll have it.

Looks like between 92-96 model year probably at the earlier end of the scale.

[69.9mph]

For that price you can't really go wrong. Get it bought (only if you like it though).

[Ed Case]

Terrific bikes but can be great wallet-emptyers, they need to be carefully looked after and you'll probably find that there's always 'A -job-to-be-done'. They are nowhere near as 'bullet-proof' as Jap stuff. A Grand is a ridiculously low price though, I'd buy it
ps In my time I've owned a Bianchi 175, two Ducati 250's, and three Laverdas, Oh and I'm also skint !.

[instigator]

[BillyJ]

[Islander]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Check the engine casing near the swingarm for cracks.

I'd recommend pulling the fairings off and smear dielectric grease on every connector. Strip the earth strap off and clean it.
'96 so may still be using the 2 phase system which was poor at charging the battery. Regardless what wattage it outputs I'd replace the 2 or 3 yellow wires that run from the alternator to regulator/rectifier with a thicker gauge. It is very cheap and easy to do.
Always start it with a strong battery. Weak battery as many a KTM, Aprilia and Ducati owners know leads to sprag clutch problems.

It will love being thrashed i.e Will not like city commutes or anything resembling 30mph.
MPG
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[BTTD]

[Islander]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Proper belts are inexpensive and the valves rarely need adjusting.
Cheaper than many Japanese 4 valve motors.
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project

[BillyJ]

Thanks so much for the advice guys I'm going to drag it out his garage on Sunday and have a look, we've agreed on £700 and £300 worth of work as I'm free until September.

He said the worst thing about it was a leak that led to oil in the piston on one of them and was fine as long as it was driven regularly but if left for months the bike would start and die after a minute if not ridden, he said it might need the piston to be overhauled but I have until May to get it roadworthy!
____________________
Had: '06 CBR125R + '01 GSF600 + '07 SPRINT ST 1050 + '80 CB250 RSA + '93 Ducati 900SS
Have: '13 GSXR-1000 + '01 CB500S
"The aryan confuser"

[TUG]

[Fowlersrs]

[MaybeGuy]

[Robby]

It looks nice. They're fairly simple mechanically- lots of bits, some of them small, but still simple. If you have the time to fix it up, do it.

Do however bear in mind that most of your riding is on 30/40 limit roads in London, some of which have terrible surfaces. This would not be a comfortable bike for your commute.

For the money you could buy it, fix it up, get a fresh MOT and sell it on at a profit.

[RhynoCZ]

I'd get one if I could.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Vincent]