900cr

[jed]

So I'm procrastinating at work (the basement) today and decide to check out Ebay to see if there are any bargain ducs for sale.  I see a 96 900CR that is yello and rashed on the right side.  Hmmmm.  Oooooo.  The multi isn't really a track bike but this could be....

So I'm the high bidder at $1500.00.  Reserve hasn't been met yet.  Anybody got any comments on the CR?  Is it the same as a 900SS just with different fairings?  Could you put the 900SS body kit on the CR without any modifications?  Gotta say I like the look of the CR as it is.

Hopefully I'll get outbid cuz I sure don't need to buy another bike now.  But if I win it I'll be happy until my wife finds out!

[jed]

Since it doesn't exist without pics -- even though it's not mine, here it is:



Rashed tail, pipe, tank, front fairing, brake res, missing rear brake pedal thingy.

[atypical1]

From what I understand the '96 and newer CR's had non-adjustable front forks but I might be wrong on that one. If you can get an SP I would go for that instead because you get adjustable front forks (these make a big difference believe it or not.).

But, the bike is beautiful and if you get it for a reasonable price you can always "tart it up" and replace the forks if you found the need to.

It is always fun to have a track bike alongside your everyday bike!

[Desmo Demon]

I believe these to be the differences:
 
1) CR - half fairing; SP - full fairing
2) CR - non-adjustable forks; SP - adjustable forks
3) CR- steel swingarm; SP - aluminum swingarm
4) CR - non-floating front brakes; SP - cast-iron full floaters
5) CR - painted front fender; SP - carbon fiber front fender
 
I think the rear shock is different between the two models, also, but I'm not certain.
 
I know a guy who bought a '98 SS900CR last year and paid $2800 for it in similar condition.

[jed]

If I can get it for 1500 I think I could live with the stock forks for a while.  Putting new forks and fairings on would be a nice winter project.

[Desmo Demon]

Putting new forks and fairings on would be a nice winter project.

Used adjustables aren't too expensive, but they are kinda difficult to come by and the condition is always a bit "iffy" if you can't see them first-hand. ANother option would be to get the stock forks rebuilt with upgraded internals. Rick at Cogent Dynamics can do wonders with suspensions....  http://motocd.com/
 
....plus he loves, owns, and rides Ducati motorcycles.  

[jed]

Traxxion Dynamics did my multi when it was in the hands of the PO.  They are only about an hour from here and sound alot like your guy.  I hope I don't win it.  But I hope I do.

[1KPerDay]

Rear wheel's narrower on the CR, also, IIRC.
 
beautiful bike.

[Desmo Demon]

Rear wheel's narrower on the CR, also, IIRC.

Ah yes.....I also recall that.....some of the CR's came with 4.5" rear wheels and the SP's came with 5.0"....I don't think that is a rule-of-thumb, though......I'm not sure.
 
 
Edit - I just read that the SS750 came with the 4.5" rim and the SS900 came with the 5.5" rim. Not too sure if the SS900-CR got the 4.5" rim, also, or if it was just an SS750 item.

[JamesG]

Since it doesn't exist without pics -- even though it's not mine, here it is:
 

If you were trying to sell a bike, would you park it somewhere that made it look like it were leaking like a sieve?  
 
Its good for you though, it will scare the wary off and let you have the bike for a steal...

[TalkingHead]

That's the era SS I absolutely love. One of these days I'll have one of those. Very nice!

[jed]

Price is up to 1750 and I'm not the high bidder now.  I talked to the seller.  He owns a dealership in Bayonne NJ and his brother had the bike.  He rode it with the stand down and dug it in in a left hander.  He tried to fight it, the stand one and highsided him.  His brother got a Harley and never wanted to see the yellow Duc again.  Note the hole in the plastic above the turn signal.  Also he says he had just washed it and cut the hell out of his finger on a crack in the windscreen.

The reserve is a measly 2k on it right now.  It needs a brake reservoir cover, rear brake pedal foot tab thingy and another 2 inches on the kickstand.  Other than that he says it runs geat and only has 500 miles on the tires.

If I hadn't bought my wife her Christmas presents yet I coulda gotten me that!  She's soooo selfish.

[CptBeaky]

I lust for those 90s SSs. Terblanches just don't hit me the same way - I even love that crazy rectangular headlight. I'm hoping work goes well enough that I'm able to pick one up next year, at the moment even a CR is out of reach.

[bikerfish1100]

just sold my red '96 900SS/CR. with stock rims, it ran a 160/60 rear tire (probably translates to about 4 1/2 ").
very pretty bike, wiht FI Cobra cans the sound was intoxicating, and the motor is just pure fun (and quite smooth). but no tracks close enough to warrant keeping it as a track bike, and my R11S is a much easier bike to ride faster and longer.
about 1 tank was all my knees could handle, then it was time for a lengthy break. stock suspension was harsh- unless you weigh in around 225 or so.

[Bad Dad]

Ah...The 900SS/CR..good times, good times. Mine was totaled this summer, a month after I sold it back to the first owner. His son wanted his dad's old bike and I'd made a good deal on a 2002 ZRX1200. The kid wrecked it inside of two months. Front forks..sealed..spring an oil's all you can do. New triples an run 748/916 era forks. It not only looks like it's leaking, but probably is..just another clutch slave cylinder rebuild.
He must have messed with the kickstand because the slightest unloading of the bike will cause the auto retract(Ducati replacement plastic money absorber) kickstand to snap up and the bike hurls itself to the pavement as designed. If it was crashed check the frame tubes on the side where the clipon's would hit..frame dent here. Also check where the frame tubes join up with the headstock..this area is prone to cracking....otherwise..er..good luck and enjoy

[jed]

I decided to pass on this one.  Maybe in spring.  Still lusting for either a k12s or k12gt and a Duc track bike.  This is getting expensive.

[fallzboater]

A buddy is looking for a front wheel (Brembo 3-spoke, I believe) for his '91.  Anyone know where to find one?  Send me an e-mail at:  mackintosh at gorge dot net

[racerboy]

I am looking for a CR for track bike as well.  Guy has one for $4800.  Seems like a nice bike (maybe too nice for the track).  What's a good offer to make?

[atypical1]

That is a nice bike but I think it is a tad overpriced especially for a CR. The non-adjustable suspension might be an issue on the track. You can get new springs and valves for the forks but that adds to the cost overall.

By means of comparison I paid $1k more for my '01 748.

[racerboy]

Thanks for the reply.  Yeah, i've been doing some research and it seems the SP is a better track bike than the CR, but I just love the cafe racer look.  Any idea what kind of price I should be thinking of for one of these?  I did an NADA seach and the 1995-1997 CRs go from $2450-$2750 while the SPs seem to run about $500 more.  I just don't know how trustworhty the NADA price is on these bikes.

[atypical1]

Hmmmm...not sure really. I think that NADA seems pretty good on that one. The SS's have probably dropped as much as they can really. They are still sought out by folks and run great. $4800 is too much (IMO) but I would pay under $4 for one if I really wanted it.

You know the newer SS's ('99 up) came in a half-faired version too. Well, I know that the '99's did. That is actually a really nice bike too. The motor is bullet proof and you get the adjustable suspension.

[racerboy]

Thanks!

[racerboy]

atypical,
I was told by the owner of one of the bikes I am looking at that when he last rode the bke (Sep. 2006), everything was fine, but when he went to take it for a quick spin last month, there was no pressure on the clutch lever.  He said that there was no fluid on the floor or on the clutch lines.  Any idea what may cause this?

Frank

[atypical1]

Hey Frank,

Damn, hard to tell without looking at the bike. Is there fluid in the reservoir? I suppose it could be an air pocket too. I have never had any clutch trouble with my bikes. You can also try the www.ducati.ms site in the Supersport section and see if there is any answers there.

james
Posted on: February 14, 2007, 09:01:08 amOh...it is really hard on Ducs to sit that long without being used. I would be really cautious of those bikes.

[racerboy]

Thanks James,
I'll ask him if there was fluid in the resevoir.

You mentioned something about the bike sitting for too long. That's "only" 4 months.  Other than possible battery issues, why would that cause any issues?  I haven't ridden my S4Rs since October, and it won't be out for another two months.

Frank

[atypical1]

The belts don't really like to sit that long. Overall the motors just like to be ran just to keep things in working condition. My 748 had sat for a little while before I bought it and I have had to do a lot of little stuff like change ALL of the fluids, belts, etc. I don't think that a few months over the winter will necessarily have any detrimental effect but if the bike goes for a year or two at a time then it might. What is the mileage on that bike you are looking at?

[racerboy]

Around 6000 miles.  I'm guessing the bike didn't get ridden all that much.  It's a 1998.

[Desmo Demon]

Early Ducati clutch slaves are known to leak. It could just have been a slow leak and the owner never noticed the level dropping. If he looks on the side of the case, just under where the sprocket cover is, he may find signs of leaking fluid there. My ST2 has paint missing where the brake fluid ate it away. As I said, it isn't that uncommon, and most people replace the clutch slave with an aftermarket one, such as an Evoluzione or Yoyodyne unit (I have an Evoluzione). If it isn't a leaky clutch slave, I'd suspect air or moisture in the line and it needs a good fluid flush.