G'DAY BEVEL HEADS - help wanted!

[PaulMac]

Yet another newbie Darmah owner. I've wanted one since I was 18 in 1981. I was sitting at a cafe enjoying an espresso when I heard this thundering sound approaching and it stopped right next to me. I thought it was the coolest, meanest, most muscular machine I'd ever seen/heard. I promised myself that day that I'd own one.

Years go by, uni, poverty, marriage, kids, private education, poverty....and finally I can now afford one, so I've got one!

Challenge for the Ducatisti: This bike is a bit hard to identify. It's stamped 10/82 and has serial on frame 953125. It has faring, right side-cover with cut away (not holes), 40mm DelOrtos. Is it SD or SSD. Looks to have been re-sprayed at some point. Dark blue/indigo colour with gold decals, but missing pin stripes and some other detail. I' ve never seen another Duke in this colour. Your opinions appreciated.

Cheers
Paul

[MartinMille BANNED]

Post a picture and let us see, There are many differences between a SD and SSD

some are
Two bolt dash console
rear sets
rear peg extenders
whale tail seat is lower that an SD whale tail seat base
fairing
headlight mount
polished outer edge on the rims 1st of the SD's had these as well
clip-ons
they only came out in a silver/blue metallic paint
eng number DM860-903027-905000
frames DM860ss-902960 - 903500
from 1979 - DM900SD -950001-951000

there are more Craig will fill in the rest but these are the main things to look for

[BevHevSteve]

Welcome aboard. Your story sounds veglia familiar..... Please post some photos and we will be able to help you more - thank you.

[BEVEL DAVE]

Being '82 build I would say std. SD that has been customised over the years by previous owner/s.

Dave

[PaulMac]

Thanks guys.....I'll put up some picture links shortly. Your help is much appreciated.

[Craig in France]

Already asked and answered, I think, Paul - ?! See http://www.bevelheaven.com/~BB/phpBB2/v ... 1&start=15

Or:

Hi Paul,

I'm with Martin on this one.

1. 1982 is after the normally acknowledged end of the official SDD run, and your frame number fits this - according to Ian F, who has actually studied the factory records, the last SSD frame number was 952820.

2. Also your bike has the regular SD front mudguard, as well as SD footpegs. And all SSDs had whale tail seats, i.e with the full-length fibreglass support underneath.

3. And there's something not right with the fairing. Either it's been incorrectly fitted or it's a SS one. The whole thing looks like it should be rotated upwards so that the headlamp fits more (but not completely) flush and the screen sits higher - but then the ends of the fairing would smack your knees ... And the bolt holes on the side are in the wrong place and the curves where the Desmo sticker is aren't right - yeh, reckon it's a SS fairing.

Here's a late model SSD for comparison, photo courtesy of Steve A (ignore the weird blue tint screen )



HTH

Craig

[PaulMac]

Thanks for all of your responses and collective wisdom/knowledge.

By the way, it goes like a cut snake!

Next question...how worried should I be if there is a small oil leak coming from the two bolt plate on the left side of the case? Rate is about one drop per day.

Cheers

Paul.

[Lumpy]

It`s an easy one to fix. It`s just your clutch adjustment caver. Cut a new gasket and seal it with a LIGHT smear of RTV silicone sealant. This is a sealant especially made to cope with oil. It often works with the old gasket too. However be warned, it will make the cover a little more difficult to remove. Although I`ve always got mine off without damaging it. Resist the urge to reach for the screwdriver and hammer. There are a multitude of sealants out there. Permatex #3 non hardening is another good one and makes disassembly easier but i found it did`nt work as well on this cover and it started to leak again over time. What ever you put on there use it sparingly as you don`t want it oozing into the motor.

[PaulMac]

Thanks Lumpy, great info. Will give it a shot.

[BevHevSteve]

or better yet buy a new gasket for the cover....


http://shop.bevelheaven.com/detail.aspx?ID=86

[PaulMac]

Done! Thanks Steve. How long does it normally take to get to Australia?

[BevHevSteve]

first class a couple to a few weeks, priority a bit over a week, express takes a few days. FYI we ship on tuesdays and fridays.

[MartinMille BANNED]

Come on guys I know business is business and things are a little though for some places, But to order one gasket from the US is insane !!!

Paul you can get them in Sydney from many many places no need to pay for extra shipping charges from the US etc etc etc ,,,

Marty

[PaulMac]

$14 is not going to kill me. However, when I have a longer shopping list, I'll definitely be shopping around.

BTW - Steve is doing such a great job with this site I thought he deserved a little something from down under.

Thanks for the concern though!

[PaulMac]

Gentlemen, while I have your attention....I've just given the bike a thorough inspection and revealed two more leaks. I'd appreciate any advice on where to get the right washers, gaskets etc.

Pictures:
http://s922.photobucket.com/albums/ad68 ... ageditmany

Leak #2 - appears to be coming from the bolt on the front of the case (oil drain?)


Leak #3 - appears to be fuel coming from the bolt on the bottom of the fuel bowl on the bottom of the front carby (carb drain?)

Also, the seal on the bottom of the case looks different to the other pictures that I've seen, ie: it doesnt have the molten metal seal. Presumably it's been opened and re-sealed?

Cheers

Paul.