Mathewsons December 2026 sale
Lot 20: 1997 Ducati 900SS at the Mathewsons December 2026 auction
By Jon Cosson · Last checked
Part of our Bangers & Cash guide.
Listing checked
What the listing says
Mathewsons' listing, based on information from the vendor, states that the vehicle has had one owner for 25 years and has been lightly used.
What to check on any Ducati 900SS
- Owners on the Ducati Forum report cracking in the top frame rails behind the headstock on carburettor SS models; a bolt-on brace is sometimes fitted. Inspect this area with a torch.
- Look at the aluminium swinging arm for cracks, especially near welds and pivots.
- Classic Bike Hub notes upswept exhaust mounting brackets can crack.
- Check fairing mounts, screen and paint for drop damage; early 1990s finish quality was criticised.
- Ask when the cam belts were last changed and see the invoice. Motorrad suggests no more than 20,000km per set and fresh belts on any long-stored bike; Bennetts says two years, though some mechanics allow three. The tensioner bearings also need replacing periodically.
- Ask about cylinder (head) studs. Bennetts says early 1990s bikes were known for snapping studs, fixed by the mid-1990s; owners on the Ducati Forum also mention stud failures.
Checks for this car
- Check the cambelt service history; the desmodromic engine is belt driven.
- Check the condition of the frame and tank.
- Check the service records.
Questions to ask before you bid
- Can I see the V5C, and do the chassis and engine numbers match it?
- What history file, invoices and MOT records come with it?
- When was it last used on the road?
- When were the cambelts last changed?
- What service records come with it?
Viewing and bidding
Viewing at the Pickering saleroom runs Wednesday 25 November to Tuesday 1 December 2026: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 9am to 12 noon, closed Sunday. Entry is £5 per person, which includes admission on the day and a donation to one of Mathewsons' chosen charities. The sale is Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 December 2026, held behind closed doors, with bidding online, by telephone or by commission.
Every lot is sold as seen. Read Mathewsons' terms (opens in a new tab) before you register.
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