Norton and Ducati

72Combat · Feb 27, 2012

Here is my Darmah I bought in Sydney ....lost on the way to a rally near Goulburn in about 1987. Just before it was repainted black/gold and shipped home to NZ.

and a couple of years ago in the shed....

Its had the crank rebuilt and new bearings throughout, but still on original pistons with about 70 000 kms on the clock.
It a great machine to ride and very long legged. I like the sound of all the bevel gears whirring around.
Last year I fitted progressive springs and Works shocks, should probably bin the Progressives and get emualtors like I have on the BMW...way better.
The rubber band Duke has been replaced by a Combat.

rightshiftrick · Feb 27, 2012

My former '92 SS in New york on the way back from Mid Ohio a few years ago:

Drifter · Feb 27, 2012

Dang... I didn't think this crowd was so diverse! One of my Ducs...

The other remains tucked away hidden, for my pleasure alone :mrgreen:

biffom · Feb 28, 2012

Here are mine:

Well I claim that this is my better half's...

So if she had a Ducati then I just had to have one....

only fair!

biffom · Feb 28, 2012

B+Bogus said:
Well here's mine...

Now in the process of putting a Commando Proddy Racer together because I'm scared to take the Duke out

The recovery truck photos above being the case in point.

I really like the tank shape - I have seen this style on some of the early 900ss bikes (and I think all of the 750ss bikes) was it an option on the 900? and is it a fiberglass tank?

SteveBorland · Feb 28, 2012

Here's my beloved 750 Sport at Imola last year

/Steve in Denmark

ILLF8ED · Feb 28, 2012

All right Ducati, move along and stop loitering in the Commando site

B+Bogus · Feb 28, 2012

biffom said:
I really like the tank shape - I have seen this style on some of the early 900ss bikes (and I think all of the 750ss bikes) was it an option on the 900? and is it a fiberglass tank?

Yep - it's fibreglass, and the same as the 750s. called the Imola tank they were only used on the homologation bikes, so a bit scarce.
Other clues are the LH gearcange and no indicators. The frame is the same as the early 750SS apart from the rear master cylinder bracket.
from '76 on they went over to a steel tank and a RH shift.

tocino · Feb 28, 2012

Matt Spencer · Feb 28, 2012

SteveBorland said:
Here's my beloved 750 Sport at Imola last year

/Steve in Denmark

Id advised my Hondaboy Brother to get one of these back 1980s in Aus. When they could be had for $ 2.000 . That means he owes me . $ :shock: Idiot didnt
Of Course .

Always makes me think , that if Norton pulled there finger out a bit , we could have had something like this ' off the shelf ' in a Commando .

P.R. being ' Super Sport ' Equivilant , a less upmarket version would appeal to the unwashed masses . :? mutter fume . :wink: :mrgreen:

pkeithkelly · Feb 28, 2012

I find red and black go well together.

The red one (a 999 Testastretta) is nearly 30 years newer, but I still like riding the Commando more.

72Combat · Feb 29, 2012

Now in the process of putting a Commando Proddy Racer together because I'm scared to take the Duke out

I've built up a BMW racer as its far easier and cheaper to get parts for them, I watched a guy high side his 900ss a few weeks back, both bike and rider were ok but there was a few $$ of parts needed...ouch. Commandos here in NZ seem to start at around 10K ( 8K US). BMW's far less as they are perceived as an old mans bike....fine with me as my kids tell me I'm old :roll:.
I doubt is many of the Commandos on the track are still running the original 1973 pistons.... :lol:

daveh · Feb 29, 2012

Great thread! I'll chip in. Here's the 996R I had a few years back.

Made 137 hp at the wheel. It felt very different to a standard 996/998. In its day, it was at the top of its class. I think about 500 or so were built by the factory in 2001 before they went on the 998R, but it was the first to have the Testastretta engine. A real quality piece of kit, lovely to ride and one of the few bikes that I sometimes wish I had now. Quite rare birds and collectable now, but far better to be ridden as they were meant to be ridden and polished occasionally.

speirmoor · Mar 2, 2012

Beautiful machines,keep them coming I know theres more out there.

Norton and Ducati

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