Ducati’s iconic 900 SuperSport has everything you need and nothing you don’t. The early 90’s edition inspired this retro-faired monoposto, where even more of everything is out in the open. The custom frame, tank and fairing hang together very well, looking like a Friday afternoon ride into the hills waiting to happen.
1993 Ducati 900SS Custom for sale on eBay
The 900SS goes way back to 1975, but belt drive unburdened the engine in 1988 and the conversion to Mikuni carburetors in 1993 freed up 84 hp. Big brakes from the 851 provided ample stoppage, and fully adjustable Showa suspension were a nice improvement. Dry weight was under 400 lbs.
As built by Union Motorcycle Classics, this SuperSport might be under 400 lbs. with half a tank, though the trip odometer might want to be used as a gas gauge. Perhaps the wafer-thin seat atop the revised subframe would remind the rider to take a break, though the aluminized Ferracci exhaust and Fox rear shock say go. From the eBay auction:
Introducing a one-of-a-kind professionally built 900SS. Everything on this beautiful motorcycle shows attention to detail and mechanical craftsmanship. (search “custom 900SS” on google and this will be one of the top 5 motorcycles that appears in images.)
The one-off hand crafted tank is a merging of a 900SS tank and a late 80’s 750 Sport. Beautifully done. You will see throughout the build are custom manufactured brackets and period race parts, with all work performed by Union Cycles.
Likely the builder didn’t change the frame geometry, not messing with one of the best handling SuperSports of the day. Union has beautifully reduced the 900SS to its cafe’ racing denominator, as Hunter S. Thompson described in his original Cycle World review of the bike. With the limited seating position, rider endurance might be even lower. But cafe’s aren’t that far apart these days, and the new owner will likely be having extended Q&A at coffee stops, with spirited blasts in between…
-donn
What a well done build! I keep seeing all these “garage built” cafe racers running around the West side of LA. Pretty much same guys with the short hair long beards and some crazy looking “frankenbike” which looks unsafe at any speed. I suppose to each their own but the fact that they are wearing these retro helmets that are probably best suited for a shelf or maybe even a bin is what really worries me…quite sure 30 year old helmet foam isn’t the best thing to protect your head.
Sorry, went off on a tangent, maybe one of those guys will read this and spend a couple hundred :). Anyway…great classic build, this is what Cafe Racers are all about IMO.
Just FYI, they now make new retro helmets in a variety of styles. The ‘cafe’ bike is actually more about those unsafe modded bikes rolling around than a high end polished visual aid. Search the history of the movement.
Not feeling that seat/tail section.
I think this is a very tidy build indeed and I love the overall look and feel. I think the fairing is particularly tough to get right and this one works well IMO.
However, I think the issue visually is that cafe bikes look good when they have a straight waistline (like bikes did in the 70’s). This 900ss frame works well functionally/structurally out of the factory, but when exposed in this cafe inspired build, looks odd with the dip in the middle. I think that is what’s making the seat/tail section odd because it’s angled up and that’s not typical for a cafe.
………..and there lies in the quandary. Do you make the bike ride well (keep stock frame) or look good (hack the frame).
Maybe it’s just the words “cutting” and “Ducati” all in one sentence. At least when I was young and moding up my bikes you could always just take the pipe off, the aftermarket rearsets. To each their own but the thought makes me cringe.
Well that’s a crying shame. a 900 SS is a thing of beauty. I don’t think it’s going to be that ride-able with that seat.
eBay shows sold at $19,100!
dc