Ducati Superlight

Rebuilding my '93 Ducati 900SL Superlight, #898 

Beauty shots, and not

Here are a few pictures I took today of the current state of the bike. Some are pretty shots, some not so much.

                 
Click here to download:
Beauty_shots_and_not.zip (3016 KB)

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Today's parts order

Today I ordered a few parts for next weekend's wrenching session, mostly related to installing the Keihin carbs:

Qty Item Description
  • 1 Throttle tube and housing for FCR kit SS, Monster
  • 1 Cables for SS FCR kit SS
  • 1 Airbox adaptors, 62mm for FCR kit, pair SS OE airbox
  • 2 NGK D8EA (each) All except ST4/Testa/02+ 748

All from the nice folks at http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/, (and, for the moment, successfully resisting the temptation to add one or two bits to the cart from http://motorcycle.nicholsmfg.com/). If I had the extra cash, I'd definitely start with the engine bolts. But not this time.

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Videos: Replacing timing belt; doing valve adjustments on 2v Ducatis

Here are three videos that I'm watching in prep for our upcoming session of replacing belts and doing the valves on my Superlight:

Replacing the timing belts:

Doing the 2v valves, part 1:

Part 2: 

These videos are from the good folks at http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/, from whom I'm ordering some extra parts that I didn't get with my used Keihin carbs.  They have a vew other videos at this YouTube channel:  http://www.youtube.com/user/cacycleworksdotcom?view=videos

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Filed under  //   900ss   How-To   Link   Modifications   Timing Belts   Valve Maintenance   Video  

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Manuals for the 900SS/SL

I'm using the Haynes shop manual for the '91-'96 2-valve Ducati twins:  http://www.amazon.com/Haynes-Ducati-2-Valve-V-Twins-Service/dp/1859602908/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253846302&sr=8-1

I've also ordered the Pro Italia DVD about desmodromic valve adjustment, which is widely known as the best way to learn the craft of desmo valve maintenance: http://store.proitalia.com/vid1.html

Edit: I've recently seen several references to LT Snyder's book on 2-valve Duc maintenance: http://www.desmotimes.com/ (no direct links, but look under Written & Promotional)

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Common upgrades for Ducati 900SS

Here is an excellent list of common modifications and upgrades for the Ducati 900SS based bikes:

http://www.ducatitech.com/2v/maint/moto.mods.html

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Filed under  //   Link   Maintenance   Modifications   Upgrades  

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Installing the Keihin 41mm FCR

Links for info on installing the Keihin carbs:

http://www.ducatitech.com/2v/fcr_faq.html
http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/shop/parts/FCR_install_supplement.pdf

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Filed under  //   900ss   Carburetors   How-To   Keihin   Modifications  

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Video and audio of another Superlight

This Superlight from YouTube has the same carbs that are going on
mine, and different pipes.

If you clickthrough on the video and read the comments, I love the
owner's reply to somebody saying "that's a man's bike": "It's
actually a woman's bike. I bought it for my wife" :-)

You'll get to hear the rattle that is the Ducati dry clutch with
vented, open clutch cover.

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Filed under  //   900SL   Video  

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Another local Superlight for sale

If you're looking for one of these, check out this Superlight at
Triumph of Tacoma (WA). looks like it has Fast by Ferracci pipes and
a Corbin seat, and 5xxx miles. They're asking $10k for the bike,
which I think is several thousand high, unless it's totally pristine.

http://www.triumphoftacoma.com/UsedBikes.asp?IDNum=43

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Filed under  //   900SL   For Sale   Link  

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Starting the rebuild

My bike has sat under a cover for a few years. It was getting light
use for the first few years I owned it, then I went and fell off a
dirt bike and broke both wrists, so it sat for a year or so, and then
when I went to get back on, it needed clutch work and was overdue for
belts and valve check anyway, and... life got in the way.

However, prodded by my friend Luigi, who voluteered to help out with
the belts and valves, I'm rebuilding the Superlight. I'll track the
process on this tumblog, which I'll pipe to my Facebook.

Enjoy. I plan to.

               
Click here to download:
Starting_the_rebuild.zip (399 KB)

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Filed under  //   #898   900SL   Photos   Rebuild Story  

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When My Wife Bought It For Me

This is my '93 Ducati 900SL (Superlight). My awesome wife bought this
for me as a birthday present many years ago, after hearing me say for
years that "one day, I want to own one of those". I think they're the
prettiest motorcycle ever made.

This is the first photo I have of the bike, which the seller sent to
me (and which he used in the CycleTrader ad).

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Filed under  //   #898   900SL   Photo  

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