It's been 8+ years

[PinHead]

Since this poor girl has seen the road. Dug it out of hiding today and she's gonna get all cleaned up. Then I'll need to figure out what it needs besides the basics to get it up and running again, maybe even a new paint job. Being a 2000 I believe I can get an antique plate for it next year, got to look into that.

[Gixxer]

Always loved those.

[TheIglu]

Had one identical to that back in the day.

[OreoGaborio]

Awesome! Get that thing back in action!

My Aprilia is in pretty much the same condition... Except I think it's been more like 10 or 11 years.

[Stoneman]

I've always loved that bike...

[ducatirdr]

Last year I picked up a 1998 900 SS Final Edition used and abused. The thing had all kinds of issues at 18k miles. I brought it to Eric Colbath at clubhousemotorsports.com a NH Ducati specialist that has deep knowledge of the older air cooled Duc's and how to make them happy. I brought it to him last fall and let him hang onto it over the winter and pick away at all the things that should be done to a bike of this vintage. Normal valve adjust and belt replacement but also a complete going through the bike for neglect and abuse checks. Axel spacers in backwards, front wheel out of round, ya this thing looked good from 10 feet but it showed that it was neglected. Purchased from an exotic car dealer was probably not the best choice... But money is all it takes if you can still get parts for the bike.

Front wheel sent to that one guy left in the country that can straighten a "one year only" front rim, odds and ends pulled apart and put back together correctly, Muffler mount fixed, rear view mirror that can't stay in place tweaked, loose front fender correctly attached... The list was nearly endless. Bodywork showed lots of scratches and the rear cowl solo seat unit was cracked and repaired by someone that didn't know what they were doing. Up close you could see it under the paint. It was needing paint work done so I figured I would get Robbie Nigl from Peach Pit Painting to do the job for me. Ya he's not the fastest and is probably the most expensive around but he is one of those people that will take the time to do things right. The bike now has $5K more into it. I feel that I rescued a relic and it is now looking like a bike I would like to own. Yes that number plate rear cowl is not stock but F it. I love that superlight style number plate but I kept the stock Ducati gray paint.

Long live air cooled Duc twins!

[boosten lebaron]

That's a sexy af Ducati.

[csmutty]

Awesome! Get that thing back in action!

My Aprilia is in pretty much the same condition... Except I think it's been more like 10 or 11 years.

I feel like I've heard about this bike ever since I met you but I've never seen it running.

[OreoGaborio]

Well I've had it since before you were born.

[Sheppo]

I feel like I've heard about this bike ever since I met you but I've never seen it running.

I can attest that it might have been seen at Motorcycle Night in Lowell and riding to chinese food on the back tire... damn Hooligan

[PinHead]

The one thing it does have going for it, I bought this bike brandy new back in 2000. So I know all the maintenance was done etc., but I can't say I babied it either. Did a bit of farming with it at VIR, lower bodywork liked to scrape the track on turn 2 at NHMS, and the front end has had it's fair share of landings. The motor also has about 32k miles on it so it's certainly due for a freshen up. And every time I left Stoneman's house it always had this funny looking mushroom stamp mark on the tank.
Going to take my time and do it right. Probably going to cost more to fix up than the bike is worth, who am I kidding, it will. But it'll be worth it to me, always loved this bike and anyone who has ever taken it out for a spin always came back with a grin from ear to ear. Sure isn't the fastest thing out there, but it is a whole lot of fun!

[RandyO]

Since this poor girl has seen the road. Dug it out of hiding today and she's gonna get all cleaned up. Then I'll need to figure out what it needs besides the basics to get it up and running again, maybe even a new paint job. Being a 2000 I believe I can get an antique plate for it next year, got to look into that.

I have been off my V-strom as long as you with one exception I had it hauled to the dealer for a new fuel pump, and I rode it back, about 3 years ago, I have to swap out my instrument cluster and finish my auxiliary charging system, clean it up ? probably not more than what I can do with a pressure washer = wheels, brakes, underside while staying away from the chain, radiator & instrument cluster

[tsorfas]

I bought a V storm from Chip few years ago. Poor thing been outside untouched for 3 years now.
Any shops in mass I should consider taking it to get her in safe rideable condition again?

[PinHead]

I'm going to need to take a real close look at things now, more so than I thought. Had a mouse nest on top of the air filter as well as under the seat, rodents suck! I'm just hoping they didn't attack the wiring.

[boosten lebaron]

I havent had a rodent problem since i started leaving bags of used kitty litter in the area. I cant believe how well it has worked. I did it out of shear desperation.

[RandyO]

I'm going to need to take a real close look at things now, more so than I thought. Had a mouse nest on top of the air filter as well as under the seat, rodents suck! I'm just hoping they didn't attack the wiring.

reminds me of when Stoneman started his TLR one spring, shot nearly a bushel of pine cone chips and acorns like bullets out of the exhaust

[Stoneman]

reminds me of when Stoneman started his TLR one spring, shot nearly a bushel of pine cone chips and acorns like bullets out of the exhaust

True story. Pelted Big Shirl's car.

[ducatirdr]

My buddy Jim has a yellow 900SS of the same era. He took his Duc home from clubhousemotorsports.com along with mine the same day in his trailer. He has over 78,000 miles on his all of it with him on it. He didn't ride it much in the past 5 years. The refresh rate of the belts and maintenance is not for the faint of heart. The thing fires right up and runs perfectly even if it hasn't been washed most of its life. He used it like a sport touring bike.

[Garandman]

Is getting an antique plate worth it? Have a regular MA plate on my R90/6, which mostly lives in NH.