900 engine

[Scott1]

I expect this is like asking if anybody has the Lost Ark laying about in the garage.

It looks like the motor on my beloved 95 M900 is in need of some serious work and sourcing another engine has been suggested as a less wallet lightening experience.

Would anybody know of a mechanically sound one that might be for sale? I have checked fleabay, there's a lovely one for two grand but I'll give that a swerve for now.

I'm assuming if I am sourcing a new engine, I need either a 93-00 carby moter, or an SS motor form the same time and type, I don't think there are too many alternatives, Cagiva Elefant perhaps?

Any advice is welcomed, apart from sensible advice like get a new one that works, I will try and keep hold of it if possible, its a bit of a heap but its my heap.

[Dookbob]

how would you rate the "serious work" on a scale of one to ten. One being the shims need doing, and ten means hump it into a skip.

[Gerry]

You could spend a lot of money on a used engine then need belts ... shims .... and lord knows what else.

Might be a good idea to run it by Louigi moto first. Reconditioning a failed engine at least means you have a virtually new engine with no nasty surprises coming ...

[Darkness]

How about looking for a scruffy runner so you can take the engine for a test ride?

[Dirty]

Sorry to hear that.

Have to agree with others. Buying a secondhand engine to straight swap is a bit of a risk unless yours is truly beyond saving.

[Flip]

Yep, as the others have said, I would take the opportunity to get friendly with some spanners and end up with an engine that you know is sound and while about it give it a nice fresh coat of paint too.

If you're considering swapping the motor yourself you're obviously happy getting oily so delving in a little deeper shouldn't be any real problem with a manual and any assistance you need from here......Go on you know you want to!!

[Scott1]

Thanks for the responses, it would appear that at a minimum, the valve stem seals have gone on the vertical cylinder, however it is more than likely something extra, ie rings gone as its blowing more blue smoke than you would expect for stem seals, (think Iraqi oil well on fire), which may indicate new barrels, which I think after the tear down and rebuild the labour will be a lot more than a second hand engine!

Dookbob, I reckon between five and ten really, the bad end!

I had the valve stem seals changed on the horizontal cylinder about five months ago so know its not them and its got a pretty bad oil leak from the vertical head.


I would love to have a go at taking it to bits and upload the pics of the results but I don't have a garage at the moment, interesting comments, I think a diagnoses would great but that will also cost a bomb as the engine needs to come out.

Ho hum, might just flog it for spares or repair then as I need a bike for work and this isn't going to get sorted without a serious wodge of cash being invested but it would be a real shame, especially as I just put the FCR's on it.

Further procrastination is in order.

[slob]

http://www.south-thames.ac.uk/courses/motorcycle-engineering/528-motorcycle-engineering/4016-motorcycle-repair-and-maintenance-basic-skills-beginner.html ??

[Flip]

I did my City & Guilds Motorcycle Technician courses at Merton and if it's anything like it was about fifteen years ago (I would like to think it is even better) it was great and can recommend it to anyone.

Plus there used to be (still is?) a great little café (Central Café) over the road that did a 'proper' fry up!!

[Dirty]

Is there a Zen module?

[utopia]

Yep ....I've been on it since the 70s. :)

[Mr Gazza]

Buy Meccano's bike.

Make a good bike out of the two and then sell what's left..

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/showthread.php?t=51500

[Nottsbiker]

My 900 engine is worst than yours as it was dismantled and left in a damp shed for years meaning that all of the bearings and seals are now ruined.

I've sourced a set of JE 944 pistons to go into mine when its rebuilt meaning that I will also need a re-plate and a crank balance along with all the bearings and seals. With labour included Cornerspeed Ducati quoted £2k for all of the work.

I don't have anywhere to build my engine at home and cant afford to get it done for a while yet but thought it would be a helpful guide on rebuild costs.

[Saint aka ML]

There is a 900ie engine after full rebuild on ebay now for 750.

I just purchased a complete ST2 engine with delivery and 12k miles for 700.

There is another 900 engine but with ****ty small heads for 650

[Saint aka ML]

One from Italy so bit risk unless you go in person:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motore-CAGIVA-Gran-Canyon-900-98-99-DUCATI-Monster-900-IE-Engine-Motor-/160960850396?pt=Ricambi_e_Accessori_Moto&hash=item257a03a9dc

This one in UK but you need to remove pedofile sticker from it:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DUCATI-900SS-750SS-900-750-SS-ie-ENGINE-MOTOR-LOW-MILEAGE-18K-/171520621098?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item27ef6cfa2a

This one as well:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191532284413?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch% 2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26ghostText%3D%26_sacat%3D0 %26_nkw%3D191532284413%26_rdc%3D1

[Darren69]

That last one looks a peach.

[Saint aka ML]

And I almost purchased it but it is 900 from monster so possible to have ****ty heads and also he is stuck on his price. Almost said yes and that ST2 one came along for same price but with delivery, asked if he will take 700 with delivery and paid :)

[Dukedesmo]

And I almost purchased it but it is 900 from monster so possible to have ****ty heads

I thought the ie models went back to the 'SS' heads and that only late carby Monsters got the 750 heads?

[Scott1]

An update, it's off for a rebuild, I will post up some progress, cheers for the suggestions.

[Nottsbiker]

Best way to go imho

[Dirty]

Good decision. Who is rebuilding it? And any upgrades? :)