Custom Frame Special: 1977 C&J Ducati 900SS
Filed Under (Ducati, Sport Bikes For Sale) by Mike on June 12, 2013
Tagged Under : 900SS, Brembo, BUB, C&J, Desmo, Ducati, Marvic, Works Performance
Update 6.12.13: I’m getting a lot of email to alert me that this rare specimen is back on eBay. Originally listed in January, it now has an opening bid of $30k, which is $10k less than previous. And it appears no reserve. Thanks all! Links updated, -dc
Do you want the best of everything? Do you want the coolest Ducati bevel desmo twin ever created? Do you want to show a bike at Pebble Beach and know that nobody there has ever seen another one? This will be the last time you will ever get the chance to own one of these.
These opening words, provided by the seller, really do tell the story of the rarity of this particular bike. Besides, I fall for a quality custom frame the way Ian swoons over radiators or the way Rem eyes a hot pink 90′s Gixxer. You had me at the first weld…..
C&J was a custom frame builder that primarily specialized in dirt track racers, although they also built a few road racers. As the story goes, they even built a handful of TZ frames for the famed Erv Kanemoto in the 1970s. These racers were ridden by the likes of Gary Nixon, Gary Fisher and Freddie Spencer. It looks like the original C&J changed hands just after the turn of the millenium, after which little information is available. With the original frame company seemingly imploded, this particular Ducati-powered C&J special becomes even more of a rarity.
As for the rest of the bike, the seller does a great job of highlighting the features:
From the seller:
C&J DUCATI 900 Lightweight Special, 1 of 3 Built!This motorcycle is one of the most unique and beautiful Ducatis ever to be offered for sale. This is one of three produced by Mark Henry and C&J Racing Frames in 1987. The inspiration was the new, at that time, Ducati F-1 which offered state of the art styling and handling but an engine that was considerably cheapened when compared to the labor intensive, traditional, old world craftsmanship of the bevel drive desmo engines like the one that took Mike Hailwood to victory at the Isle of Man TT races a few years earlier. This bike is very exclusive and very well conceived and executed.
The C&J frame is carefully designed and constructed of high quality, light weight, 4130 chrome moly tubing. C&J achieved a very strong and light structure. The frame also has some nice features. The steering head angle is steeper and adjustable in a 2* range to get the feel that you like. The rear suspension is a mono-shock design that reduces the wheelbase considerably to 58 inches for fast steering.
The fiberglass tank, tail section, fender, and fairing are the highest quality products you will ever see. Mark Henry had these carefully made at Fiber Systems, his company. The custom paint work in pearl white and green metallic with black striping is stunning.
Suspension on this bike is upgraded to the highest spec adjustable Marzocchi M1R front forks and Works Performance aluminum remote reservoir mono-shock. Nothing but the best!
Braking is handled by the absolute top of the line Brembo gold components up front featuring twin floating discs and 4 piston race spec calipers. Rear braking also features quality Brembo parts. This bike stops!
Real Marvic magnesium wheels are mounted, front and rear. Light weight, expensive, and worth the every penny!
Other features are custom billet aluminum triple clamps with the lower clamp acting as a brake line junction, genuine Ducati gauges and switchgear, Ducati F-1 foot controls, and gorgeous custom Bub exhaust.
What about the engine? Engine number 086784 has around 50 miles on it since a complete rebuild by the famous Dr. Desmo of Evanston IL. The displacement is 905cc(88mmx74.4mm) and I have 8, hand written pages of assembly notes with dimensions that are included. Features noted are 42mm and 38mm mille valves, aluminum clutch kit, stainless screw set, gear gazer, heavy breather, aluminum oil filter cover, aluminum tower tubes, and lightened clutch assembly. This engine has the right stuff and was built by a world renown artist.
My bike is very special and is essentially brand new. It has only traveled around 50 miles since it was completed in December of 1999 by bevel expert Mike Dusik, owner of Mikmar Motors in Paxinos PA. It has been living in my climate controlled “museum” at my house for the last 13 years. It comes with a number of original receipts dating back to 1987 and some notes and a few old pictures. It also comes with the ultra-rare glossy C&J sales brochure from 1987 and a somewhat rough copy of the aforementioned June 1987 Motorcyclist magazine. It comes with a clear PA title. An extra bonus comes in the form of a spare, painted, fairing and front fender.
Note: Speedometer mileage does not reflect actual mileage estimated to be 50 miles.
First titled in November of 1998, frame purchased in 1987, bike completed in 1999. Bike titled as 1977 to match engine serial number.
Custom-framed bikes are a bit of an oddity on the open market. In some cases they lack the history or awareness in order to sell for big bucks (often selling for less than the sum of the parts), while in other cases the frame-up build adds an exclusivity buyers are willing to pay for. Which one is this? I haven’t a clue.
This bike is availble right now for a cool 40 grand. That’s right. $40,000 US dollars (or best offer) will buy what appears to be an attempt to out Super Sport an original Ducati Super Sport. Does the C&J name and the quality of the build warrant that kind of number? Buyers will be the ultimate judge. Check it out here and then jump back and tell us what you think.
MI
Yeeeeeeeeeesh ! It is one fugly bike . There are some really nice parts on there but the sum of them all hurts my head !
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I agree, not a pretty bike. Not sure what happened when the designer got to the rear end of the bike because the front was looking pretty good. It looks like two different bikes were JB welded together right behind the seat. With that said, it sure has a lot of nice parts, I especially like that gear gazer cover on the bevel gear, I have not seen that before but I am not all too familiar with the bevels. I wonder if the glass gets cloudy like some of the other windowed covers I have seen over the years. Anyway, my two cents, I dont think its worth $40K, but maybe I’m wrong.
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Sadly, the actual bike we’re presented with here doesn’t come close to matching the seller’s hyperbolic description and price whatsoever. If that frame was so well executed, so fantastic, so amazingly special and high quality, why did they only sell 3 of the them? And if the motor is as claimed, why has this bike only covered 50 freaking miles in 13 years? Not only does the hype not add up to $40,000, it would be lucky to pull $15K at auction. Visually and stylistically, this is one confused and awkward Ducati. The gas tank looks to be from an 750 F1TT, the fairing from and original SS, and the tail section- who knows from what. It just looks clumsy and wrong, and destroys the flow of the lines. Brooke Henry of V2 Australia did the same thing during the same time much more successfully: monoshock trellis frame, upgraded wheels and brakes, much more cohesive bodywork. Google that Ducati and see for yourself.
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Part it out!
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Most would Ducati aficionados would call it a frankenbike. Alot of the parts are cobbled together from various bikes and there is no direct connection to the Ducati Factory. Wasn’t authorized or built under factory supervision. No Ducati Corsa or special racing parts at all. Most every thing put on the bikes, were contracted out to small motorcycle parts suppliers.
I don’t know who this Dr. Desmo other than a machinist but the real Dr. Desmo (Dr. T) is Fabio Taglioni and I know he didn’t build this engine. If it wasn’t built by Ferracci, it don’t mean a thing.
The ole saying goes, “you get what you pay for!” it wasn’t worth what they attempted to market and sell them for in 87 and it sure isn’t worth $40K today.
The bevel windows??? who’s got time to look a valve operation while riding the bike? Can we say novelty item!
Alias, C & J Sales no longer exists.
http://www.redfeathermotorsports.com/cjframes_letter.htm
C & J Frames were primarily dirt track racing frame builders, not known for road racing frames. They were originally contracted to build 3 frames by the builder of the bikes. They were originally touted it as an American built “Ducati F-1 killer.” The builder had visions of much larger production but over pricing and lack of production killed the project. So only three were ever built.
The exhaust wasn’t a one off from BUB. They were a 900S exhaust modified to fit the frame.
As I understand, one has been completely dismantled, the second, only the frame exists and this one which is being sold as a refurbished unit. As there was no particular standard to which they were being engineered or built, it’s very hard to say if it’s in the original trim as the builder intended.
The tail section was made by a small time road racer and engineer, the infamous Mark Henry, previous owner of Double Dog Moto.
It’s definitely out of place on the bike. Mark Henry had to close his doors this past year, due to poor management and inferior carbon fiber production. He left owing quite a few bills and monies to preordered customers.
Henry sold out to Bellissimoto and has since moved to France, after being in business for only three short years.
It’s not worth anything near the asking price of $40K. A good back yard builder could virtually cobble on together in his spare time. Nothing special about this Ducati, except the asking price.
Apologizies to the owner but it is what it is. Be really happy if you get offered anything over $10K.
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Big no on Erv Kanemoto!
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I am the owner of the C&J. Opinions vary anytime esthetics are involved but as the owner of a real ’74 750ss, ’74 Sport, ’61 Manx, Velo KTT mk8, and others I have always found the C&J to be a very attractive machine. Yes, part of the appeal is the uniqueness and no, it is not as pretty as the 750ss but it is no Suzuki Rotary. So, why sell? Simply, I have too many bikes in a space that doesn’t allow each bike to be seen fully. I have sold a ’75 GT, ’60 R600/2, and ’65 T120 to make room. If I don’t sell the C&J I may make it an upright naked bike and ride it. With the price of an engine rebuild at $10k+ I certainly won’t sell it to some wanker for $10k.
The sad aspect of the internet is that any unemployed 40 year old that lives in Mom’s basement can smoke a joint and hammer on the keys while sitting around in his underwear and attack anyone or anything he wants. Please ignore the tossers.
Cliff
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Hey Cliff – welcome to RSBFS! That is a very unique and interesting bike. Good luck with the sale! -Mike
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Thanks, Mike. Nice site you have here. Very attractive.
At this point I have 72 “watchers” and we have quite a bit of time left. That might mean that 72 people hate is so much that they want to be notified when it fails…or, maybe some of those watchers will post a late bid. We will have to wait and see. I do know that it draws a favorable crowd when it’s out in public. If it doesn’t sell I have some work ahead of me to remount the headlight and bars after removing the fairing but it should be a real giggle as a naked bike. The big V-twin Desmo barking through the Bub pipes, serious stoppers, and ultra quick magnesium wheel handling. Call it a Classic Hypermotard SP.
Cliff
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Nice bike! Sounds like a few don’t care for specials? I raced a 900SS back in the day and would have welcomed this frame change – along with the wheels, forks and brakes. Certainly it should be worth more than 10K… It reminds me of the Bimota’s of that period.
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People who are in the know, tell it like it is. Because it’s old and overpriced doesn’t make it so. Some of use were around when these were actually built and know what they’re really worth and the story behind it.
There’s nothing extraordinarily special about the motorcycle and fabricating connections and stories to Erv Kanemoto and other veteran AMA and FIM racers of the era. Using them to inflate the price, is just BS. I know Erv personally and well as Kenny, Steve, Reg and others. I raced with them way back when. We shared much time together, knowledge, benched raced and traveled the same circuits, like Riverside, Ontario, Laguna, Sears, and others. Some of us had the pleasure of racing FIM in the hay day of GP two strokes in Europe and elsewhere.
This motorcycle; With exception to the frame, was primarily built using off the shelf parts of the era nothing more. It is unique but so is any custom built motorcycle.
It is what it is, Cliff. You’d might have better luck selling it, if you weren’t attempting to acquaint factious blather to a relatively unique motorcycle.
If you have problems relating to it’s truthful back ground, then maybe you should just remind yourself that life comes with many pitfalls. Some just happen and others are brought about by vain exaggeration.
I wish you luck in the sale but don’t try to BS those’s who are actually in the know, especially when you can’t produce otherwise.
That’s why this site and comments section are so outstanding, for potential buyers. It provides them with some truthful background relating to history, previous ownership and purchase. It keeps sellers in check who would attempt to misrepresent an item, in an effort to mislead a buyer.
Keep up the good work Mike it’s a great site.
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Who shot JR? Well, at least we know why!
I believe you are a superior rider and that you know everything and everyone. Your opinion is that of a man with a very high intellect. I know this is true because you have told us that it is true.
Just a few points from an unworthy observer. I did not associate ANY famous person with my bike nor did I “acquaint factious blather” to it. It seems that you have a reading comprehension problem. I correctly said that it is an old world, piece of art, Ducati Desmo bevel twin mated to some very fine, more modern, hardware and very nice frame. Your characterization of what I said makes you look like a fool, as my actual comments are here for everyone see.
JR, you are the reason that the internet gets a bad name.
Cliff
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