1976 Ducati 900 SS 864cc

Ducati were a relatively small motorcycle manufacturer in the 1960s, their road bikes focusing on single-cylinder machines of small capacity and didn’t start producing the first V-Twin engine until 1970, but it was British racer, Paul Smart, who established the firm winning the Imola 200 on a ‘round case’ 750cc bike which featured the now famous ‘Desmodromic’ valve system. The first production bike available was the 750 GT in 1973, but this was more of a roadster than a race bread motorcycle and had the traditional valve spring cylinder heads. Customers had to wait until the square case 750 SS was available in 1975 for the extra power and even then only 250 bikes were produced. The 900 SS followed shortly after with an increase in capacity to 864cc, stronger square cases and Desmo valves and it was an instant hit with both road and privateer racers. A track-focused bike with exceptional handling, it soon became an icon and even today, it’s still on many collectors and expert's 'top ten bikes they would love to own'.

This fine early example of Ducati’s 900SS was registered new in Brescia, Italy in 1977, although it is stated as being manufactured in 1976. Imported to the UK in 2016, it remained in a prominent motorcycle Collection until recently. Having been re-registered in the UK, it had a service and check-over in 2023 and is reported to be in great running order. Fitted with an optional oil cooler, this bike appears to have been restored at some point and remains in good general order, although the paint is now showing signs of age.