Built from 1978 to 1981 the Ducati 900 SSD ‘Darmah’ was based on the previous model 900SD, however the SS had ‘Super Sport’ improvements, namely a higher compression ratio engine, improved suspension, clip on handle bars and a half fairing. The legendary Ducati bevel engine was coming to the end of its working life as the replacement Pantah V twin was already on the drawing board, the addition of desmodromic valves on the SSD didn’t really help the weight issue of the model and so it was never as popular as the 900SS as a true Super Sports. However with the addition of the electric starter the SSD has become a sensible alternative to the 900SS especially as the values of 900SS’ has risen so dramatically in the last few years.
This fine example SSD registered 1st Aug. 1979 was rebuilt and restored in 2002 to resemble a 900SS with modified rear seat, wire wheels and SS style black and gold livery. In addition the engine was fully rebuilt using an Alpha crank, new bearings and pistons. This work was carried out by none other than legendary race mechanic Steve Wynne of Sports Motorcycles, the very man who prepared Mike Hailwood’s Ducati for his ‘come back’ IOM Formula 1 TT victory in 1978. The bike is supplied with an invoice for this work plus a number of old MoT’s, and the current MoT until may 2017.
In generally good all round condition the engine as you can imagine is superb, tons of power, no smoke and the glorious sound that only a bevel drive Ducati V twin can make.
A handsome and useable bike, with a sound pedigree at a fraction of the cost of a 900SS.
