1978 Ducati Refresh

[Scout63]

I started a very light refresh of my ‘78 Ducati 900. I’m hoping to get comfortable with it and take it up to VT and the Adirondacks for a solo getaway in early June. Today I stripped the bodywork, swapped the fork legs back to the original configuration of calipers in front, changed the fork oil and installed a new front tire (Conti Classic Attack).  Tomorrow I’ll install the rear tire and hopefully get started on carb rebuilds. Other than checking fasteners and balancing carbs, I have no plans to do anything else in the short run. I can’t wait to get it running. I’ll post a first start video.

[Canuck750]

A thoroughbred, it looks fast and athletic just standing still.       

[Dave Swanson]

That looks like a fun project.  Someday I will tell you my tale of woe regarding my "almost" purchase of a 1978 900SS.   

[czakky82]

That is beautiful. I would love to hear your riding impressions.

[Scout63]

Rear tire is mounted. Conti Classic Attack radial. I’ve never used them.  It’s really hard to source two of the same vintage tires.  It went on pretty easily but seems like soft and pretty sticky rubber.  I think it won’t last long.  It was a very fiddly job getting the rear wheel back on. I put it down last night and picked it up again today. One of the four rear adjuster plates is about 1 mm thinner than the other three and has to go in the right position.  I took the opportunity to clean up the swingarm and adjusters etc.  Also the alternator wires into the regulator are shot. I’ll need to splice in new wire and spade terminals.



google p photos

[Pescatore]

 
 

[Scout63]

Rewired the alternator wires from this




to this





I also really liked the difference between the Moto Guzzi and Ducati frames and engines without bodywork on the lifts.





Two very different approaches to engine architecture, but the frames seem fairly similar.

[2WheelsUp]

Dream bike... I'd love to have one but prices have soared. Bringing both the Duc and LM1 to the track would make pretty nice day! A good friend of mine had an 80 Darmah 900SS when I had my first LM1. The Darmah SS version is your bike with a different tail. We rode together for years around Chicago and did an epic trip up the Rockies. Performance between the two bikes was virtually identical. The Duc had a higher top speed while the Le Mans was significantly more comfortable. Would love to hear your thoughts after you've had time to ride both of them. 

I suspect most on here have seen this article from 2008: https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian-motorcycles/moto-guzzi-le-mans-versus-ducati-900-ss/ ... sort of what you have brewing 

[Scout63]

Dream bike... I'd love to have one but prices have soared. Bringing both the Duc and LM1 to the track would make pretty nice day! A good friend of mine had an 80 Darmah 900SS when I had my first LM1. The Darmah SS version is your bike with a different tail. We rode together for years around Chicago and did an epic trip up the Rockies. Performance between the two bikes was virtually identical. The Duc had a higher top speed while the Le Mans was significantly more comfortable. Would love to hear your thoughts after you've had time to ride both of them. 

I suspect most on here have seen this article from 2008: https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/classic-italian-motorcycles/moto-guzzi-le-mans-versus-ducati-900-ss/ ... sort of what you have brewing 

I’ve read the article many times, but not being a racer it just scares me. As nice as it is to ride vintage bikes, it would have been great to be 20 or so and wringing out these bikes on the track in the 70s.

Lights sorted.  I’m not sure what was wrong, but a disassembly of the switches and wiring seemed to fix it. New grips installed.