hi everyone, first post. looking to buy a salvage monster.
ad says its 1998 m900. seems the wheels are from 2000 or later model?
also says parts missing, so i was thinking if you guys could check the pictures and tell if theres some small bits missing. all i can think of is the seat, *edit: airbox cover?* but i have never owned a monster or even a ducati so i cant really tell.
any insight appreciated.
(http://avk.fi/sivut/naytakuva.asp?k=142023d.jpg&s=2)
(http://avk.fi/sivut/naytakuva.asp?k=142023a.jpg&s=2)
(http://avk.fi/sivut/naytakuva.asp?k=142023b.jpg&s=2)
(http://avk.fi/sivut/naytakuva.asp?k=142023c.jpg&s=2)
Airbox lid
Seat tray (mounts to the frame under the seat)
Seat latch and key lock assembly
Tank hinge/bracket
hose from crankcase breather to breather tank
right sidecover (below the seat)
Speedometer cable and instruments
This is like Where's Waldo
After looking the only thing I'd add to Speeddog's very complete list is that the oil pressure sensor looks like it doesn't have a wire on it and I can't see any front turn signals.
With the fuel tank off, you might be missing some fuel and ventilation lines.
Looks like you're missing the latch and hook that will hold the front of the tank down.
And of course the passenger side mirror.
Also note that the wheels are correct for the bike, but it looks like the frame and wheels have been painted to a color other than stock.
All in all, if you're getting the bike for a good deal and the motor is in good shape, the small things are easily replaceable and shouldn't cost too much money.
Forks and calipers have been updated to m.y. 2000 & newer units with a 25mm axle and 65mm caliper spacing.
Its got to be a 98 because it has the big alternator AND the finned heads (and its carbed).
Undertail tray is atypical. Still has all emissions equipment (carb vent pods up front - though not really emissions related, and the emissions can by the suspension rocker), wrap around frame where seat will go is atypical.
The headlights in the bucket aren't original equipment, neither are the pipes nor paint job. As stu said, the forks have been updated, tail's been chopped, frame's been painted, rear signals are aftermarket, foot pegs have been replaced, rear brake setup is from a supersport or superbike.
Any guarantees on the motor?
check the headstock and adjoining frame to see if there might be a reason the front tubes were replaced and the frame was painted
proceed with caution unless you are ready to do an engine tear-down
this may not be the best way to get acquainted with Ducati's unless you are trying to spread the costs over a greater period of time and are willing to go on a vertical learning/discovery curve as you sort the bike out
Old Monsters can be like old hookers....they can teach you a lot, it will be at your expense and they can be hell to live with
whatever you decide Good Luck!
thank you everyone for your massive input!
got in touch with the pervious owner. the bike got stolen from him and was found later. it was in fine condition before it got stolen. new clutch, shorter swingarm and a new front end.
the idea is to first see if i get it to run ok and then tear it down and rebuild. im comfortable taking the engine apart too if needed, but after talking to the previous owner i dont think it is necessary.
Quote from: Christian on April 28, 2010, 01:12:05 PM
All in all, if you're getting the bike for a good deal and the motor is in good shape, the small things are easily replaceable and shouldn't cost too much money.
my thoughts exactly.
Quote from: RAT900 on April 28, 2010, 11:46:01 PM
this may not be the best way to get acquainted with Ducati's unless you are trying to spread the costs over a greater period of time and are willing to go on a vertical learning/discovery curve as you sort the bike out
thats what i intend. i want to tear it to pieces, remove everything useless, repaint, modify and put the thing together.
if i get lucky enough to buy it i will stick around to bug you with endless questions ;D
again, thank you!
swingarm looks exactly like a steel stock swingarm...
No that's an Ali swingarm. And the rear brake looks like a stock from an earlier monster.
Not mounted on the rearset?
I couldn't see the stand bobbins, so I guessed steel. Is that second hole diagonally near the brake caliper bracket the stand bobbin?
Oh that end of the rear brake. Yeah I see what you mean, that's different.
Yeah there is the stand bobbin and the upper one is the bolt that holds the caliper bracket on.
Oh. so i go out in the garage and stare at my 900 on the stand. same swingarm. i was just trying to figure out how it had been "shortened since everything looks proportionately correct.
interesting. the previous owner told me the swingarm has been shortened, explained it being prone to wheelies.
Looking at the pics, I'd say that swingarm has not been shortened.
Quote from: venlis on April 29, 2010, 11:07:23 AM
interesting. the previous owner told me the swingarm has been shortened, explained it being prone to wheelies.
sounds like someone just wanted an excuse for doin' wheelies ;D
Better check the engine/frame numbers. If it isn't an "S" model, it could be a small valve/mild cam model. These bikes have a disappointing lack of power for some folk. The lower power model has a "W" on the heads instead of a "V". The MBP site also mentions that these heads have hemispherical rather than 'bathtub' combustion chambers and therefore lower compression. I think engines after 037728 on carburetor non "S" models have this mild engine.
Check out the Brad Black's "Bikeboy" website article "900 engines: not all created equal". It's all there in detail. Doug Lofgren's MPS site has a comparison of these two carburetor engines with the injected 900 engine. Chris Kelly's Cal cycleworks site covers a history of the Monster and covers some of this stuff also.
Brad Black once saved me from buying one of these bikes. I think some came with crappy Marzzochi forks as well. This could explain the fork upgrade, although I once saw a Japanese market model with the same motor and later forks. Sometimes with Ducati, it's hard to tell the difference between an owner's modification and a factory anomaly!
In the end, if it's cheap enough, you could afford some nice (expensive) headwork, bigger valves, cams, etc. Just weigh it up first.
Cheers.
[drink]
Yes, like Koko said, you want to look at the heads at the cam-end side (not the belt side) for an engraving - it'll either have a V2 or V3 or some other V# or it will have a W#. V=good, W=not as good. The ie motors have hotter cams, and the ST2 motors have hotter cams yet again.
Another nice point about a 1998 engine is that it has the upgraded cylinder head studs already in place...
i would have to go and see the bike anyway before i put my â,¬â,¬ on it, but now - thanks to you guys - i have something to really look for.
350 kilometres there and back. well worth it i hope
is there any other concerns for the w-head engine than power loss? i wouldnt mind 5 hp less if it works as well.
W heads make more torque in the mid-range but are down on the top end. Some folks like the highest hp number they can get... If that's not you, then W heads will likely be fine. There are no functional problems with either head.
The fork rake looks wrong to me. Could just be the pics. Anybody. The swinger, wheels, and rear brakes are the same as what's on my 97 M900.
your rear brake master is on the sump?
Quote from: Ducaholic on April 30, 2010, 03:40:59 AM
The fork rake looks wrong to me. Could just be the pics.
~snip~
I think it's just the perspective of the pics.
i think so too - my bike looks odd without headlight or tank too.
Quote from: a m on April 30, 2010, 04:01:03 AM
your rear brake master is on the sump?
Oops my bad. I meant the caliper and bracket.
yeah, caliper and bracket are OEM, master setup is not from a Monster.
i also was concerned about the forks, will have to get a closer look on monday.
for power and torque, an m600 would suffice for me, so 5hp less doesnt make a difference. i had a yamaha r1 and i was constantly in trouble with authorities
Quote from: venlis on April 30, 2010, 10:22:43 PM
i also was concerned about the forks, will have to get a closer look on monday.
for power and torque, an m600 would suffice for me, so 5hp less doesnt make a difference. i had a yamaha r1 and i was constantly in trouble with authorities
If an M600 is all you need then you'll love an M900 of any year.
The later engine studs are a big improvement, I had mine break and it wasn't fun getting them out.
Good luck with the inspection.
well i had other things to attend today so i got a friend to check the bike. he found a "w" on the head. he checked the forks and frame visually and said they looked straight. there was oil in the engine.
good thing with the impoved studs. i had a cracked exhaust manifold on my car. 6 of 8 studs broke or got completely f***d in other ways while removing and we had to drill them out with the inline four engine in place. it took a while.
i'm getting thrilled about this bike and starting to feel confident on investing my euros to it.
so it turned out that someone totally overbid on the bike and over my budget. it was sort of an auction.
thanks for all your help and see you if i ever get my hands on a monster [drink]
Best of luck!