Salvage M900, parts missing?

[corey]

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

[koko64]

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.

[junior varsity]

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.

[Duck-Stew]

Another nice point about a 1998 engine is that it has the upgraded cylinder head studs already in place...

[venlis]

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

[venlis]

is there any other concerns for the w-head engine than power loss? i wouldnt mind 5 hp less if it works as well.

[Duck-Stew]

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.

[Porsche Monkey]

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.

[junior varsity]

your rear brake master is on the sump?

[Speeddog]

The fork rake looks wrong to me. Could just be the pics.  
~snip~

I think it's just the perspective of the pics.

[junior varsity]

i think so too - my bike looks odd without headlight or tank too.

[Porsche Monkey]

your rear brake master is on the sump?

Oops my bad.  I meant the caliper and bracket.

[junior varsity]

yeah, caliper and bracket are OEM, master setup is not from a Monster.

[venlis]

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

[koko64]

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.