This 1976 Ducati 900SS bevel drive, non-omologatto model, presents a great opportunity to own one of the rarest square case bevel drive Ducatis ever made. Although a total of 1020 900SS were built by Ducati in the year end of 1976, only 280 non-omologatto machines were built. The difference is that these 280 non-omologatto engines were hand built in the factory, just like the 1974 750SS and 1975 900/750SS. The correct stamps are present on the crankcase to prove this and the correct omitted stamps are missing, as they should be. When you ride this bike, it seriously seems to have a lot more power than most 900SS machine from this year. The machine is outstandingly original with the correct wheel rims, correct headlight, switchgear, Conti silencers and even the screen appears to be original with the correct stamp. It rides perfectly like a new machine, and you can tell why when you read the history of the bike below. It came with the wrong carbs, so we bought brand new 40mm Delortos and set the motor up perfectly. Once set up, I took this bike out for an hours test ride to ensure everything was right and returned six hours later starving hungry and with a massive grin. I just didn’t want the test ride to end and I realised how Mike Hailwood won the Isle of Man TT just two years after this machine was produced on a very similar machine. Once you’ve ridden a bevel drive you won’t want to ride much else, as they are great fun, they handle and they stop brilliantly. This example was re-restored by us, it comes with a full due diligence and very detailed workshop file documenting the restoration work we did on this machine. It was also featured, in. a blog on this site, without quite so much detail here 1976 Ducati 900SS restoration
History
The history of this machine is that we imported it, pre-Brexit from Belgium, having had a €40,000 restoration carried out by a very well respected Ducati specialist. thankfully, at that time, they subcontracted their engine builds out to Brook Henry at Vee Two in Australia and the engine was built perfectly. However, the carbs were incorrect, it took a lot to get the motor running due to the carbs, some machining and seriously poor electrical work, but the motor was beautifully built. Once running it was clear that the machine had been incorrectly colour matched, poorly painted and clumsily put together. We re-restored the machine repainting the frame and every component, discovering that no primer had been use for most of the painted surfaces. We re-fitted all of the body panels and repaired them, before painting them, so that they sat correctly on the bike. We repainted the switchgear and hand painted all of the lettering, as it would have been done by the factory. We re-wired the entire motorcycle and all of the electrics worked perfectly. With the new carbs fitted, the inlet take off correctly machined, we could then dial the motor in and set it up correctly. After months of work, careful fettling and more test riding than was necessary solely for my own enjoyment, the machine was delivered to the customer. The customer has not used it, so we’ve just re-commissioned the bike and set it up to run just as it did four years ago.
Rare Ducati Bevel Drive
This is a rare Ducati bevel drive, one of the rarest ever made, and it is offered with a very realistic price taking the present classic motorcycle market into account. The machine is sold as a brokered motorcycle with known history and a well documented and known restoration of the highest quality. The Motorcycle Broker restrains are well respected in the industry, have been featured in numerous daily newspapers, Patek Philippe magazine, have won numerous Concours events and are a well respected industry bar setter. This machine is flawless and is an absolute joy to own and ride. Although the classic motorcycle market has taken hits since Brexit, it is unlikely to fall further and such an opportunity to acquire such a beautifully restored rare gem is a great opportunity not to be missed.
