Bonhams
Lot 414
1980 Ducati 864cc 900SSRegistration no. DHT 527WFrame no. DM860SS*089571Engine no. 090078 DM860. Full engine rebuild by Paul Klatkiewicz of Ducati Technical Services.Otherwise highly original including factory supplied dual seat.Showing 22,123 miles, over a 1,000 covered from completing the 2006 Motogiro d'ItaliaWhen production of the original 750SS ended Ducati management had no intention of replacing it, believing that sports bikes had limited appeal and that the future of the bevel twin laid in the touring oriented 860 GT aimed at the US market. However the factory's hand was forced when Kenny Blake won the prestigious Australian production race at Bathurst in April 1975 on a roundcase 860SS, and was required to build a number of similar machines to allow the result to stand. Australia was an important market for Ducati and designer Fabio Taglioni was equally keen to produce a bevel twin with sporting and race winning potential; the result was the 1975 900SS with the GT's 'squarecase' engine, albeit a hand built special along the lines of the 750SS.To the surprise of no one outside Ducati's upper management demand for the 900SS outstripped supply and the model became a regular production model for 1976. Significantly outselling the GT /GTS every year (and eventually the Darmah too) developments were aimed at strengthening the bottom end, although in fairness weaknesses were often compounded by riders revelling in the low speed torque rather than revving the motor as Taglioni intended. To boost sales the UK importers requested a black and gold colour scheme which coincided with a switch to gold painted cast wheels. By 1980 the colour scheme seen on this bike was standard worldwide, along with cast wheels by Campagnola, Speedline or FPS; only the later (fitted to this machine) proved trouble free.Greg's dream of owning a bevel twin was eventually realised in 2005, persuaded by John Falloon of Made in Italy motorcycles, given his desire for a motorcycle to ride without reliability concerns, to buy this example which had an engine rebuild by Paul Klatkiewicz of Ducati Technical Services (receipts on file). Apart from the rebuild, braided brake lines, rear shock absorbers, alloy bellmouths and solo seat (original dual seat supplied) the bike is remarkably original including paintwork and decals often revisited under warranty or restoration. Faith in this particular 900SS was vindicated by a trouble free run of well over 1000 miles in the 2006 Motogiro d'Italia, despite it not really being the most obvious choice of machinery for an event built around vintage 175s.Although not run for a number of years and in need of recommissioning, this is a fine example of what for some is the finest Ducati ever built, an involving and charismatic motorcycle that can still show a clean pair of heels to modern motorcycles on sweeping roads.Supplied with original keys, dual seat, pillion footrests and - perhaps rarest of all - the original owners handbook.Footnotes:All lots are sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
