SELLER SAYS: 1978 Ducati SD900 for sale. Bike runs well. I have installed gold valves in the forks and tuned the original shocks for a safer ride. Brakes were overhauled a few years back and new tires fitted, everything else is period for this bike and in quite good condition. Bike is in great original condition. The only reason I repainted the tank and side cover is because I put a decent scratch on the ducktail whilst moving out my street fighter. Ggrrr. Price is flexible, but keep in mind this bike is in very good condition with matching numbers. This bike was owned by a friend since the very early eighties and I took it on over 10 years ago now. I would like it to go to a good home. Reason I’m selling is I just can’t bend over that well anymore, so both the street fighter and Bevel will be moved on. Contact Jamie on 0417 766 844 (Ballarat, Vic.)
EDITOR TERLICK SAYS: The 1970s delivered a whole bunch of memorable Ducatis. The 750GT marked the company’s move into twin-cylinder engines, the 750 Super Sport delivered race track credibility, the 900MHR celebrated Mike Hailwood’s heroics at the Isle of Man. The SD900 Darmah occupies a smaller headline in the company’s history, but arguably an even more important one. Prior to the SD900, Ducatis looked beautiful, sounded magnificent, delivered gobs of addictive power, and handled superbly. But they were also uncomfortable, impractical, and had dubious quality-control which led to a reputation for unreliability. In the SD900, Ducati did a brilliant job of delivering a comfortable, practical, reliable machine which looked beautiful, sounded magnificent, delivered gobs of addictive power, and handled superbly. The seat was low and comfortable even two-up, the (Japanese) switchgear worked properly, there was a sidestand and – shock horror – even an electric start! Such niceties might sound trivial, but they played a big role in catapulting Ducati from being an “enthusiasts only” marque to a genuine prospect for the everyday rider. This bike of Jamie’s looks like a marvellous, unmolested example, right for the collector or rider.
