Please note: This bike is a part of the Northern California Superbike Collection. The anonymous owner is well-known and a long-term friend of both Iconic and Bike-urious. All proceeds will go towards a foundation he and his wife run to further research for sustainable agricultural and agroforestry systems worldwide.
In this piece on Cycle World, Peter Egan says that this 900SS is “the used motorcycle you need” and notes that “they made perfectly comfortable long-distance touring bikes, but on winding roads through the Black Hills, they metamorphosed back into sportbikes of deep finesse, with killer, real-world midrange and light, intuitive handling.”
Mikuni carbs fed the air-cooled 904cc air/oil cooled V-Twin which was good for just under 80 horsepower. Combined with a dry weight of 414 pounds and classic Ducati styling, the 900SS was quite the commercial success – almost 28k of them were sold over a seven year run.
Befitting the Bologna-based motorcycle company, the 900SS was offered in a limited ‘Sport Production’ trim. Beyond the scarcity of the motorcycle, the SP model was offered with a wider rear wheel (5.5″ vs. 4.5″), fully-adjustable Showa suspension, carbon fiber front fender plus clutch cover, aluminum swingarm vs. steel, and full floater cast iron front brake rotors. For 1996, Ducati also gave the SP an oil temperature gauge.
This example is VIN: ZDM1LC4M4TB021702. The seller acquired it from a private party in California in November 2023. It was in the previous owner’s care since 1997.
For the 1996 model year, Ducati changed the numbering style on the triple tree for the SP to utilize a letter and two digits. This is C27.
The odometer shows 14,587 miles.
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us perform a safety inspection, install new timing belts, rebuild the carbs, install a new battery, clean/adjust/lube the chain, install a new negative battery cable, and flush all the hydraulic fluids. Our service department notes the following on their condition report:
Gas Tank Internal Condition: Ok
Engine Oil Level: Ok
Engine Oil Quality: Good
2T Oil Level: N/A
Coolant Level: N/A
Coolant Quality: N/A
Front Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Front Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Rear Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Level: Ok
Clutch Hydraulic Fluid Quality: New
Final Drive Condition: Cleaned, Lubed, Adjusted
Headlight High Beam: Ok
Headlight Low Beam: Ok
Passing Light: Ok
Parking Light: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light (Front Switch): Ok
Brake Light (Rear Switch): Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Horn: Ok
Kill Switch: Ok
Brake Pad % Remaining Front: 70%
Brake Pad % Remaining Rear: 80%
Forks: Ok
Shock/s: Ok
Tire Date Code Front: 47/09
Tire Date Code Rear: 08/10
Tire % Remaining Front: 80%
Tire % Remaining Rear: 90%
Tire Press. Front: 32 PSI
Tire Press. Rear: 36 PSI
Battery Standing Voltage: New 12.6V
Charging Voltage @ 4k RPM: 13.9V
Running Condition: Runs Well on Bench, Runs Well on Test Ride
Test Ride Completed: Yes
Test Ride Distance: 2 Miles
Modifications:
Staintune dual exhaust.
Ohlins shock.
Nichols Manufacturing motor mount bolts, carbon fiber clutch cover.
ProGrip tank protector.
Battery tender lead.
Not pictured: Nichols Manufacturing frame gusset, clutch, and flywheel. RaceTech fork springs.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop Sportmax Q2 tires with date codes of 4709 and 0810.
The sale includes one key, documentation of some upgrades, and a 1996 Ducati coin.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album in the “Photos” tab for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Panorama City, California, (please make an appointment for an inspection) this Ducati is offered on a clean California title with registration current through MONTH YEAR.
Have any 900SS/SP stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
