1978 Ducati 900 SD Darmah -- Blueprinted Engine

1978 Ducati 900 SD “Darmah” - Blueprinted Bevel Engine!

STARTUP & WALK-AROUND VIDEO: https://youtu.be/c7KLce8Bwm8

Vintage cars and motorcycles have exploded in popularity during the last couple decades. Combine this with the rise in population and decreasing availability of quality classic rides and it’s no surprise that prices have skyrocketed as a result. To capitalize on this trend a lot of fly-by night shops are slapping words like “restored” and “rebuilt” on everything they can get their hands on. More often than not the work is done by someone FAR from an expert, nd usually involves nothing more than an oil change plus new air filter and spark plugs. Maybe they re-chrome some things, olish some others, pray some clear coat and call it a day.

This bike is different. This Darmah was 100% mechanically rebuilt, lueprinted, nd restored by vintage Ducati guru Jim Fitzgerald. Jim has been riding, acing, nd working on Ducati Bevel/Desmo engines since he first started taking apart his 1973 750 Sport and 1979 Darmah, oth of which he bought new back in the 70s. The proof of Jim’s work can be seen in Motorcycle Classics Magazine, here a featured article showcases his perfectly restored 1973 Ducati 750 Sport that auctioned for approximately $40,000!

Jim in Motorcycle Classics Magazine

Jim spent 200-labor-hours meticulously rebuilding and blueprinting this bike’s engine with the love and care she deserves! Every single bolt was taken apart, hecked for tolerances and quality, nd re-torqued to spec. The engine was stripped down to the crankshaft, hich was rebuilt and re-balanced. The cylinders were then fit with new over-sized pistons, hich were then fit / reshaped using clay to insure perfect clearance in each head. Jim is a machinist by trade and all work was done to perfection. You will not find a better running, etter sounding 900 SD engine ANYWHERE!

Here is an ‘Almost-Complete List’ of the work done to get this 900cc Ducati Bevel (DESMO) engine up to “better-than-stock” specs!

• Sonic Clean Engine / Carbs / Trans

• Rebuild Carbs (R.152m, 0 Pilot)

• Rebuild & Balance Crankshaft (DRD)

• Complete rebuild of both Heads (Bevels timed and checked for fitment)

• Machine clearance on closing rockers

• Shimmed Lower Case (with Kickstarter AND Electric Start!)

• Shim and tune Transmission

• Rebuild Clutch / fit to flywheel

• Adjust timing pickups

• Assembled Counter Shaft rods

• Bore / blast Cylinder for over-sized pistons (DRD)

• Clay / Shape / Blast / Assemble pistons; Set ring gap

• New Cam Support Bearing

• SS Cams

• New gaskets & seal kit

• SS Controls

• New oil filter

• New Tires

• Master Cylinder Rebuild

• Complete Brake Rebuild

• New Chain

• New rear Sprocket bushing

• New Battery

• Rust cleaned from gas tank

• End Bar Mirror

• Front Fork rebuild + New Seals

• Clean and lube speedo

• Rebuilt Ohlins rear shocks

• Carbs tuned and set to run optimally

• New rear brake switch

• Rewire; all lights work

• New ignition

• New fuel lines and petcocks

This bike has electronic ignition and fires up every single time you push “GO.” She also has a kickstarter for that cool factor / as a back up, ut I’ve never once needed to use it. Before Jim started to rebuild this bike I told him that I wanted her to be a Daily Rider and bulletproof-reliable, nd he 100% delivered on that request! Never had a single problem with her and never leaked a single drop of oil. The engine runs so smooth that you can place a drink on the gas tank while it’s idling and it wont’ move an inch!!

I have only put ~500 miles on her since the rebuild. The first 500 miles I did not exceed 4,000 RPM in order to properly break in the engine / pistons / rockers. Jim did a complete 500-mile service as recommended by the original Ducati Owner’s Manual. Now that the first 500 miles are done, t is safe to rev her to 6,500 RPM (almost redline). After another 500 miles -- and the 1000-mile service -- it will be safe to rev her to Redline! (Although, lease be smart about it!)

Finally, im is no longer working on Ducati's and has basically retired from his motorcycle hobby. As a result your chance of finding a bike built to this level of quality has decreased. I have Jim's personal number and he has agreed to speak to the buyer of this bike if they have any mechanical questions, ut please do not message me requesting his contact info. Again, e has a family and a business and has always just done Ducati's on the side, ut has since retired from taking in any work.

I never planned on selling this bike when I had it rebuilt, ut as many of you know sometimes life takes us in different directions and we end up selling things we thought we’d always hang onto. I planned to enjoy riding the bike after it was rebuilt and then a year later do all the paint / chrome work, ut that day never came. The paint and chrome are still in very good shape for her age, ut if you’re like me and want things to be perfect you will want to touch up the paint / chrome someday. That’s really the only thing that is left on this bike (i.e. cosmetic work). This was never meant to be a Concours-quality restoration, ut rather it is a 100% mechanically blueprinted piece of art!

The buyer of this bike will also receive my copies of her Owners Manual, orkshop Manual, pare Parts Catalogue, nd Haynes Ducati Vintage V-Twin Shop Manual. Also, box of assorted spare parts, ncluding a hard-to-find set of handlebars. This is truly a rare find, nd one of the best running bevels you’ll ever see for sale! Period!