900 W vs V heads

[junior varsity]

They certainly used to be pre-2000. The fixer-upper M900 I have recently picked up similarly had the aluminum swingarm, and 3-way adjustable forks, but the W-heads (quickly evident from fins on the tops of each head). The frame's VIN indicates 1999.

Suspicious, I tell you, because my original Ducati - also an M900 is a 1999 according to frame's VIN as well. It too came with the aluminum swingarm, 3-way adj Showa's, but had the V-series heads! (No fins on tops of heads either).

Makes me wonder if one was an early 1999 build, getting the left-over W-heads, with finned tops, and the other was a late 1999 build, v-heads with no fins on top.

The 2002 900 motor I have (obviously an IE at that year) also has the "v" heads (though at this point, i suppose its proper to either call them IE heads due to cams, or simply the "SS" motor, since I haven't heard of any 900 SS's coming with the W-heads).  The '02 heads do not have the fins on the top of the head either (making me think the v-heads on my '99 M900 could be late '99 assembly?).

best of luck to you!