Ducati Darmah for sale
SELLER SAYS: This Ducati Darmah 900 SD comes with provenance. It was originally purchased in Sydney on 17 July 1980 by an accountant, Anthony B. With this bike, you will get the original Dealer’s Notice, Retail Buyer’s Order Form and Trade-in Offer form, along with detailed hand-written notes by the owner between September 1998 and October 2002. Also included is the original Ducati “instructions for use and maintenance” booklet and the Manuale Di Riparazione [Workshop Manual] in Italian and English. The bike has travelled less than 1000km in the past 15 years but has been fully maintained during this period by a Perth Ducati specialist. The seat was restored by master craftsman Tony O’Connor of Eldorado Motorcycle Seats in SA. Other improvements (less than 1,000kms) include: New starter sprag clutch, fuel taps, chain and sprockets, front and rear brake calipers overhauled, carbys recently serviced. Detailed receipts are available (September 2009 to September 2023). This Darmah presents an opportunity to ride as-is or fully restore. Contact Terry on 0422 086 414 (Darlington, Perth WA)
EDITOR TERLICK SAYS: It’s interesting how classic bikes evolve in fashion and desirability. When bikes are new, it’s all about the specifications — how many horses, how fast, how light, the seat height, suspension quality, brand name, and price of course. Move on a decade or so, by which time the specifications look outdated, and it’s all about a bike’s moment in time. “Yeah, not as fast as today’s bikes, but they were great in their day.” As they move into old age, people are most interested in a classic bike’s place in history. Did it win races? Did it impact the market? Did it flag a major change in direction, either for the company or the industry? But there comes a time when something else comes into play. “Yeah it’s lovely. But can I actually ride it?” When it comes to collectible classics, all of Ducati’s bevel-drive bikes tick most of the boxes. They were glorious bikes with iconic and much-loved technology and they sounded like nothing else. When Ducati moved to belt-drive because it was more simple and cheaper to build, the whole world groaned. (Ok, not the whole world. But I did.) If you shop for a bevel Ducati nowadays, you’ll generally need long arms, strong wrists, short legs (one good for kicking), a tough bum, and a good back. And yes, deep pockets. I have a kickstart Mike Hailwood Replica in my collection, and I love it to bits. But there are days when I wish it were a Darmah. The Darmah heralded a new era for Ducati, delivering a user-friendly sports bike that was suitable for regular use, even on the highway and even with a pillion. And electric start! This bike of Terry’s looks like an excellent example of the breed, still carrying its age and patina with pride, befitting a 40+ year old Italian. It’s a great opportunity to buy and ride a true classic, even if you’re a decade or two older than it is.
