Ducati 900 SD Darmah - Back to Classics

Ducati 900 SD Darmah - Back to Classics
In this episode of Back to Classics Harné will be talking about the Ducati 900 SD Darmah. This is in fact his own bike, that he takes on many road trips throughout the year.
First, Harné is going to give you your weekly Ducati history lesson, where he will be explaining what makes these bikes so special and different than others. Furthermore he is going to take the bike for a little road trip across some places in Europe. Definitely worth seeing!
But first a little history... because the introduction of the 860 GT, didn’t bring Ducati the success it was hoping for at that time. Even though the design was very modern in its day, the bike itself was not well regarded. Here Ducati introduced in 1977 the 900 Sport Desmo ‘Darmah’.
Many improvements that were made with the introduction of the 900 SD Darmah in 1977: crankshaft con-rod bearings with an enlargement of the crankpin and the desmodromic camshafts that were now standard like on the 900 Super Sport. Perhaps the biggest improvement was the new gearshift selector drum located on the left side. This meant an end to the rather crudely constructed crossover rod that made left-side gearshift possible in 1976. Bosch ignition replaced Ducati’s own and an electric starter motor was now standard.
Thanks for watching this episode and see you soon at Back to Classics!
------
For more content regarding all classic Ducati models, latest updates, restorations, and what happens behind-the-scenes, keep an eye out on our social media channels;
Instagram:
harne_ducaticlassics
Facebook page:
backtoclassics
Facebook Community:
groups/backtoclassicsfans
KZbin channel: / ducaticlassics
Need some parts for your classic Ducati?
Check out our webshop:
www.ducaticlas...

[@RUSTY-A-L]

One of the most beautiful bikes ever made.

[@davidwarren9204]

I had a 1978 Darmah (red/white with the whale tail). It was my everyday/only transport for about five years. To this day it is still my favorite bike I've ever owned, and I still I regret selling it. It could do anything and go anywhere (though gravel was very unpleasant!). It was more comfortable than the 900ss, and more 'streetable' and flexible. And it could take passengers in reasonable comfort. I took it camping, long-distance (I'm Western Australian, so we are talking 600-1000km/day for several days in a row), and it never left me stranded. That said, it was expensive to properly maintain the engine, and so fast that I lost my license constantly!).

[@josepg.2479]

one of my favourite bikes by it's desing, it's awsome and so pretty

[@derherrbyc4128]

Great bike, congrats.

[@TonyBelas]

I love this channel! Back when I was 19 I bought a new 750 sport (£1,400), which was an endless rebuild project teaching me far more than I ever wanted to know about bike repairs, it blew up twice the first time within its misrable 6 months warranty when the big end went then a year later there was an enormous bang on the way to a Suzie and the Banshees concert, resulting in a destroyed piston and bent conrod. this time i managed to ge a replacement crank and did the work myself, I remember the piston cost a staggering £50 in 1977. what amazes me is I did it all myself on the floor of my army barrack room. Later I bought a new 900 SSD (£4,200 tax free) which was very reliable right up until I crashed it. I still have a slight limp from that one! Keep up the great work, it makes me want to have one of these again.

[@MarcS4R]

oh man what a bike. that sound is so good. i have a couple of classics already, including a Norton Commando and Cagiva Lucky, but i would love a Darmah.

[@andysandrex7244]

Sounds and looks fantastic. Brings back memories of my red one, like yours engine blue printed, gas flowed, 40mm carbs and conti’s. Made a few trips to the Dutch owners club yearly track meets at Zolder and Assen. Another bike I regret selling. Keep the videos coming 👍

[@adamroper1197]

Another awesome video, thank you.

[@billyhong5071]

Love your channel. I have modern Ducatis but lust after a bevel drive. Unfortunately though, prices here in Australia have gone crazy. I did a very similar trip to yours in 2019 on a mate’s 1986 Africa Twin. Left from Zundert and went through the Ardennes and also visited the memorial at Verdun. Beautiful countryside, great roads. Keep the great videos coming.

[@splodge5714]

Want a cheap bevel drive, get a Kawasaki W650. Great bike.🙂

[@magnus2528]

Nice bike and video. I have an1983 Darmah imported to Norway from Australia. I have made many of the same upgrades, Silent Hektik and Mottogadget. Still have some fine tuning of the carbs to do.

[@8-Tryzub-8]

I just sold my 1980 Darmah. Watching this - now I'm sad.

[@grahamkirk5974]

I had an 860 GTS, mixed feelings about it, a great bike......when it wasn't in pieces.

[@ecokestove]

I had a red one in 1981. Straight through Contis. What a noise.

[@rosshowatson7751]

Whale Tails are the best :)

[@sacredhills7305]

Tootle Dokie - Flemish-Dutch and what is the meaning? I may not be spelling it correctly, that’s just what it sounded like in the video

[@christiaanvanderree1740]

It’s a cheerful and informal greeting, much like ‘cheers’.

[@BackToClassics]

We spell it as toedeledokie, but you won't find it in the official Dutch dictionary ;-)

[@pf1468]

had 1 in the day a"79 model let me down badly very poor metalurgy rom the italians ,burnt out exuhast valves hard facing came off the crank pin gears in the gear box failing I traded it on a '81 bmw R100 and never looked back.Mind you it sounded great and looked great.

[@paulpeeters2356]

Heb je wel eens gehoord hoe vaak je uhhh zegt? Erg vermoeiend om naar te luisteren. Wel zeer informatief.

[@everettballenger7880]

Hi Harné, I am about to buy a 78 Darmah, black and gold like yours here in the US. i love the look you have with yours removing in indicator stalks etc. I do have a question, what is entailed in removing the starter? as the original setup is pretty ugly! Your bike is pretty special!

[@BackToClassics]

You're having some good plans! The starter motor can be removed if you can get hold of a Super Sport or MHR clutch cover. Be aware that you get one suitable for the Bosch ignition as you will need to fit and adjust the pick-ups in the new cover which is a delicate job. E-mail me at [e-mail] to see if we can help you any further.

[@philiphodges6246]

Have you modified the clutch/cable? I the video of you riding the bike the action of the clutch looks very light, or do you have a very strong left hand?

[@BackToClassics]

No modifications; just a well routed and well greased clutch cable. But indeed I might have trained my left hand by constantly riding bevel drive Ducatis... ;-)

[@philiphodges6246]

@@BackToClassics thanks for the information. I had a Darmah new in 1978 but I don't remember the clutch being heavy (although I had a Triumph Trident before it). I'm looking at buying another Darmah but recently I've had a replacement thumb joint. It won't be as strong as it was and it's got to last the rest of my life! Have you any experience of the hydraulic clutch conversion? Does it significantly reduce the effort needed to operate it?

[@BevelSparky]

Great darmah .love the throttle setup just wondering if the cables are custom made or if you sell them …thanks

[@BackToClassics]

We make throttle cables to size

[@wdhewson]

I need to get my 860GT warmed up..........

[@mattpercy4855]

Hey mate, I'm down in Oz. Haven't started the Darmah in over two and a half years. Any tips on restarting!

[@BackToClassics]

I guess fuel is biggest issue when bikes are left unstarted for longer periods. Perhaps drain the fuel tank and have a good look at the carburettors. So fresh fuel, obviously a good and charged battery and possibly some fresh engine oil and it should be good to go!

[@johnnyboy1586]

Ducati should do a modern take on the Darmah

[@kjelleriksson2793]

As always, not understanding the GTS and not understanding the Darmah. Praising the Bosch ignition and the fact that the Darmah is made for shortlegged people, only 15 l in the tank, the shitty freewheel. The Darmah is a café racer. Then that fucking 750 GT, talk about paying a lot for very little. Both the GTS and the Darmah got their looks from 500 parallell twin models. The Darmah got the Campagnolos first and that's a fact!

[@coobye]

Cheap......unless you live in the land of the greedy ( Australia ) where prices are ridiculous.