1977 | Ducati 750 SS

The last of the Ducati 750SS were built in 1978, with only 40 being produced by the factory. The Super Sport range were made by the factory to be raced, following the success of the desmo valve 750 bike at Imola in 1972. This bike, built in 1977 but with a 1978 compliance plate, was one of only 100 built by Ducati that year. This bike was built for Ashley Beaton (North Coast V-Twins) as a racer back in 1979 and was raced at club level for 2 seasons. The paintwork, made popular by Ken Blake on his roundcase 860 at Bathurst in 1975, was applied in 1978 and has been on the bike since then. Because it reflects the bike’s heritage, I’ve left it that way. Fitted with the Imola tank, the bike has very distinctive lines and always attracts onlookers when parked. It was rebuilt at North Coast V-Twins when its racing days were finished and then spent its life largely as a household ornament, being ridden less than 1000km in the 15 years since. I have added only another 8000 or so km in the 10 years I’ve had it. Non standard equipment – apart from the paint – includes Mikuni flat slide carbs (40mm DellOrtos supplied), Sachse ignition system and coils, right hand gear change (no sloppy cross-frame linkages). There are many spare parts included with the bike, such as an immaculate Imola tank in original paint colours, a spare solo seat base incl ducktail, a pair of 18" Akront rims, 2 sets of DellOrto 40mm carbs, as well as numerous small bits and pieces. The bike is serviced and maintained fastidiously – oil and filter changed every 2500km – and really is a delight to ride. Having searched for a 750SS for many years before being lucky enough to find this one, why would I ever part with it? Sadly, recent significant knee damage limits my flexibility and I am no longer able to ride this uncompromising machine, so have decided to sell it. Any of the bevel drive Super Sports is a beautiful example of a motorcycle, but the 750 is, in my opinion at least, the epitome of their development. As guru Ian Falloon says in his Ducati bible,  “In the peaks and troughs of Ducati model specification, the 1978 Super Sport was an undoubted peak.” This particular bike has all the appeal of the now very rare 750 SS, but also a wonderful provenance. At the time of selling, there were only 3 other 750SS for sale in Australia - a 1976 model for $95000, a genuine 1974 for $370000 and a replica 1974 for $100000. This one is more realistically priced at $70000 and is ready to ride away.