LOT 542
1978 Ducati 900SS Registration no. RVK 976S Frame no. DM860SS*087979* Engine no. 088215 DM860
Sold for £15,525 inc. premium
Lot 542
1978 Ducati 900SSRegistration no. RVK 976S Frame no. DM860SS*087979* Engine no. 088215 DM860
1978 Ducati 900SS
Registration no. RVK 976S
Frame no. DM860SS*087979*
Engine no. 088215 DM860
Registration no. RVK 976S
Frame no. DM860SS*087979*
Engine no. 088215 DM860
• Only 15,013 miles recorded
• Three owners from new
• Present ownership since 1987
• One of the ultimate Ducati models
Unsurprisingly, Ducati's involvement with racing began soon after Fabio Taglioni's arrival, and started with a 98cc overhead camshaft engine. Soon after came the double overhead cam engine with desmodromic valve operation, which was to become a feature of many future Ducatis. The Desmo singles of the 1950s and 60s continued into the 70s in 100, 125, 175 and 200 capacities, whilst smaller machines were given over to two stroke engines. Capacities of the four stroke singles grew to 250, 350 and eventually 450 throughout the seventies, with road, sports and street scrambler versions.
By 1970 it was apparent that the future of motorcycles lay in larger capacities and the factory developed a 750 v-twin, becoming the 750GT, and thus began a line of, arguably, some of the most beautiful motorcycles of the nineteen seventies. The GT was joined by the 750 Sport in 1972; with its streamlined looks and high-performance engine, it was a machine of pure beauty, one of the most visually balanced of all time, possessing all the attributes of a thoroughbred. Hard to beat it may have been, but Ducati managed it with its next creation, the 750SS, with even more power and, arguably, better looks. The obvious next step was an increase in capacity with the introduction of the 860 engine, but perhaps inevitably, the new machine's appearance was criticised and unpopular by comparison with the sublime 750s.
Fortunately, Ducati continued the 750 Sport, and the 860 engine was adapted for the new 900 Super Sport which carried on the great Ducati looks into the next generation. Initially in the silver and blue colour scheme, the next change was to black and gold. Incorporating cast alloy gold-painted wheels, the styling was kept up-to-the-minute, but still with the traditional lines which had served the model range well. The engine had been improved, as had the gearbox/gearchange which had completed the move to a left-hand change, and the black and gold colours became available in 1978. RVK 976S is one of the earlier black and gold models, registered on 20th July 1978, and appears to have had two owners before coming into the present ownership in June 1987.
The deceased owner used it most years, only for limited mileage during the summer months, until approximately 5 years ago, when it was placed in dry storage. Thereafter it was started occasionally, but not used on the road. Not started for the past two years, it will need a degree of re-commissioning before returning to the road under new ownership. Documentation comprises the current V5C, and a copy of the previous old-type V5. There is a right-hand side panel to accompany the bike, together with a spare single seat, spare dual seat, a battery, and some indicators.
• Three owners from new
• Present ownership since 1987
• One of the ultimate Ducati models
Unsurprisingly, Ducati's involvement with racing began soon after Fabio Taglioni's arrival, and started with a 98cc overhead camshaft engine. Soon after came the double overhead cam engine with desmodromic valve operation, which was to become a feature of many future Ducatis. The Desmo singles of the 1950s and 60s continued into the 70s in 100, 125, 175 and 200 capacities, whilst smaller machines were given over to two stroke engines. Capacities of the four stroke singles grew to 250, 350 and eventually 450 throughout the seventies, with road, sports and street scrambler versions.
By 1970 it was apparent that the future of motorcycles lay in larger capacities and the factory developed a 750 v-twin, becoming the 750GT, and thus began a line of, arguably, some of the most beautiful motorcycles of the nineteen seventies. The GT was joined by the 750 Sport in 1972; with its streamlined looks and high-performance engine, it was a machine of pure beauty, one of the most visually balanced of all time, possessing all the attributes of a thoroughbred. Hard to beat it may have been, but Ducati managed it with its next creation, the 750SS, with even more power and, arguably, better looks. The obvious next step was an increase in capacity with the introduction of the 860 engine, but perhaps inevitably, the new machine's appearance was criticised and unpopular by comparison with the sublime 750s.
Fortunately, Ducati continued the 750 Sport, and the 860 engine was adapted for the new 900 Super Sport which carried on the great Ducati looks into the next generation. Initially in the silver and blue colour scheme, the next change was to black and gold. Incorporating cast alloy gold-painted wheels, the styling was kept up-to-the-minute, but still with the traditional lines which had served the model range well. The engine had been improved, as had the gearbox/gearchange which had completed the move to a left-hand change, and the black and gold colours became available in 1978. RVK 976S is one of the earlier black and gold models, registered on 20th July 1978, and appears to have had two owners before coming into the present ownership in June 1987.
The deceased owner used it most years, only for limited mileage during the summer months, until approximately 5 years ago, when it was placed in dry storage. Thereafter it was started occasionally, but not used on the road. Not started for the past two years, it will need a degree of re-commissioning before returning to the road under new ownership. Documentation comprises the current V5C, and a copy of the previous old-type V5. There is a right-hand side panel to accompany the bike, together with a spare single seat, spare dual seat, a battery, and some indicators.
Footnotes
As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Additional information
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