Post Sale Update: This 900SS FE sold for $5,800 after 11 bids on eBay in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Ducati Supersport is back, but nearly two decades ago the iconic air-cooled SS line came to a halt with a one-year run of 800 bikes. Ducati called it the FE, for Final Edition. All of the bikes got silver paint as well as a couple of treats like an Ohlins rear shock. 300 of the 800 examples were sold in the US – here’s #287.
Ducati started with the Superlight variant of the SS, and then in addition to the silver paint, added a whole bunch of carbon: mudguard, chain guard, rear fender, countershaft drive cover, and dashboard cover. In addition, they raised the pipes for more cornering clearance, gave it new cast iron floating rotors, and some new parts (voltage regulator and alternator) were added, too. Some riders believe this is the best of the 900SS breed simply because it was the latest, and Ducati had sorted out any niggles by the end. As a 1998 review from Motorcyclist noted – it wasn’t the fastest sport bike around, but they didn’t care:“Call it irrational. Call it delusional, but beware. Any nonlinear-thinking, creative-type human mind is susceptible to the desmo’s aural brainwashing. Flaws become character. Freeways and constipated surface streets submerge beneath the Ducati’s sporting dignity, and all that matters is tracing as many gnarly little lines on the map as the weekend will allow.”
The seller of this example (VIN: ZDM1LC4M6WB027103) calls it a “nice original bike that is no trailer queen,” noting that there are some scratches, chips, and a ding on the tank. “When I purchased the bike it sported a full set of factory carbon fiber Ducati fairings. Carbon doesn’t weather well, so I put the original fairings back on except for the solo tail piece which was an original Ducati piece and too nice and super light not to use, so I had it painted to match the rest of the bike. Original tail sold off a long time ago.” He took care of some maintenance recently, replacing the fork seal, the clutch slave cylinder (with an Oberon unit), and the front brake discs with OEM units.
The gauge needles were replaced as the seller found a NOS FE dash – “unfortunately, I can’t find my original speedo – I was going to include it in the sale for mileage history. I’m worried it got sold last year when I was clearing house of old used parts. It was in the mid 17000 mile range. So, unfortunately, you will have to trust the stated mileage or bid accordingly if you are worried. The new dash with gauges set me back $600. I figured it was well worth it. If I find the gauge I will be included, even if I find it a year later!” It also has a new OEM windshield, Keihin FCR 41mm carbs, and dual Termignoni exhausts.
Find this 900SS/FE for sale in Santa Fe, New Mexico with bidding up to $3,050 and the reserve already met here on eBay.