1977 DUCATI 900SS
How rare is it? Some 220 bikes in 1976, and 137 in 1977 were intended for the US.
THIS MOTORCYCLE'S STORY
—By Tim Parker
Lightsville is an unincorporated community in Darke County, Ohio named after a William B. Light, who platted it in 1874. The US Postal Service, today, places Lightsville’s Rural Route 1 outside the town of Rossburg…safe to say that the Lightsville Garage, a Norton, Ducati and Moto Guzzi dealer in the 1970s, the original seller of this 900 SS, was located, without being unkind, in the “middle of nowhere”. It was a five-hour drive west for the buyer, a Pittsburg physician.
There is no record of what happened to the Lightsville Garage after this sale. The bike has been stored in the physicians garage since 1984. One day he slipped “into the bike” which scuffed the fairing and tank.
1976 was the second production year of the 900 Super Sport although it ran only September through December with some 1,020 units being manufactured.
These are considered to be 1976 model year bikes and were the first to enter the US market. The 1977 production year bikes – this bike - were sufficiently similar to be grouped as one. Some 220 bikes in 1976, and 137 in 1977 were intended for the US. Their specification changed slightly from those bikes intended for Europe and the rest of the world (RoW).
Ducati 900 SS DETAILS
421 original miles
Frame # 086888
Engine # 087142
One owner
Stored inside garage for 33 years.
Amazing original gel coat paint, exceptional.
Original tires
40mm Delortos & conti's
Comes with original airbox & 32mm carbs
Engine case seal
Front exhaust wire seal
Correct reflectors and original turn signals
Correct original windscreen with chromed rubber trim
Last registered may, 1984 in P.A.
Owners manual
“A remarkable time-warp, early specification, 900 SS with but 421 recorded miles under its belt.”
32mm Dell’Ortos and restrictive airbox were default items (included with sale) as was a special wiring loom and an Aprilia sealed beam headlamp and indicators, complete with “side” reflectors.
This bike, last registered in 1984, has remarkably retained its original specification as delivered by the Lightville Garage.
Smiths gauges on a 5-light dashboard. A clear Brembo front fluid reservoir, a new style fairing, and the larger “square” CEV taillight. The updated engine and transmission, frame, suspension and brakes were RoW, pretty much.
Still originals are: The tires; the optional 40mm Dell’Ortos with velocity stacks and Conti mufflers (plus the pair 32mm carburetors); the original lead engine seal is intact as are the “Made inItaly” and “Ballanti Roberto” (fairing) stickers.
PHOTOS BY: JAMES TYLER REED
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO BUY, SELL, OR TRADE A SPECIFIC
DUCATI, LAVERDA, MOTO GUZZI, MV AGUSTA FOR SALE
DISCLAIMER
Every single bike I buy and sell, I personally go through—not someone else. I am the owner operator of my small business, and I take what I do very seriously. I work on the bikes, I ride the bikes.
If you are serious about buying a true collector piece from someone who not only has a passion for these bikes, but works on them, rides them, and collects them then call me. Jokingly people say to me, “these bikes don’t seem so rare as there are so many in your shop” well... I consider myself a custodian for these machines, they should go to people who will love, and appreciate them.