Late 90's Ducati Monster 750?

Anyone have experience with them?

Rode a buds a couple of times before I got my 99 ST4 Ducati. What do you need to know? best forums around. http://www.ducati.ms/

I got offered one on trade and I think of Ducs as the Ferrari of the bike world. I've always lusted after one, but I've always heard horror stories of maintenance, wet clutches, and valve adjustments. I've also heard parts can be expensive.

From my little research it looks like the M bikes from this era were more DIY friendly.

I figure if I can get over the fear of doing a valve adjustment on an old 911 for the first time, I can get over doing it on a Duc. And if I deal with Porsche prices from time to time...

Just buy my 796 Wife is asking $6800, I'll make you a great deal on it cause GRM

Sesto said: Just buy my 796

Lol. If I had the coin I would.

I have a 2000 M900S, which is built on the same frame as the 90's monsters. These early Monsters are pretty simple as far as Ducati's go, being air-cooled 2v per cylinder bikes.

There were dozens of variations of monsters back then, changing from year to year. So this 750 may be fuel injected or carb'ed, could have fully adjustable suspension (not likely) or non-rebuildable pogo sticks. The brakes also range from barely acceptable single front disc systems to full Brembos. Also I think the smaller monsters had wet clutches while the bigger ones like mine are dry clutch.

I'm not saying any of them are bad bikes, just that some of them are better than others. If you have any good pictures or at least know the year of the bike I could probably figure out more of the particulars for you.

Older ducks had a shorter valve job interval. The exact number escapes me, but expect to have the desmo tuned once a year.

Also see how the leg recesses fit you. This was changed for the better around that timeframe.

It's a 99 750. And it's not red. ☹️ I think all Ducs should be red.

I'm also guessing it's been wrecked, by the paint, lack of rear hugger, non-stock bars and no front fender.

My ST4 is 4 valve and While not a joy to due a valve lash adjustment I've done it twice as well as belt changes. Nothing is impossible to due as people who have more money then brains make it out to be. Nothing on a Ducati is above a person who wishes to learn how there bike works. It may not be "normal" and it sure as hell is not quick but it can be done by the rider if he / she has the proper mind set going in.

From the single front brake it it looks like that may be a "dark" model. If so, it may have always been flat black, not to say it hasn't been spray bombed since. One good thing is that since you have no front fender or seat cowl, the only thing you would need to change color is a tank off eBay.

Everything you need to know about older Monsters here: http://www.ducatitech.com/2v/monster_faq.html

I always hated the "Dark" Ducs. They don't all need to be red, but that flat black does no justice to them at all.

As has been said already, 2 valve desmos aren't hard to maintain. Being a dark model, it was an entry level bike, and probably has carburetors.

Take it, service and tune it, buy a set of any other color body work, enjoy it for a while,then sell for profit.

One of my favorite looking bikes ever. The sound too

Interesting.

What if it involved trading my Kawi?

The Kawi has been down by PO (I was told a driveway drop but we all know how that goes) You guys know the history of the plastics. The whole thing is currently plastidipped white.

Now the Kawi does have low miles, new tires, and mechanicals are great. I bought it as my commuter and it has done that job well but I'm not in love with it. I rode my buddies 919 for a month and loved that naked bike feel (except the exhaust smell from the 919) but I've always lusted after a Duc. In fact now that the CB500 is in the garage, I was going to put the Kawi up for sale in the spring and hope to buy the best Duc I could with the funds, then this offer came along. Also, after I park the Kawi I don't look back to check on it...

Does that change things?

Current pic of the Kawi

Would you be commuting on the Duc or the Honda? The ergos of that Duc look painful.

^^^^ Both.

Honda is up and running yet. Duc would be the designated commuter for now. I'd like to take the Honda from time to time but the Duc would probably be primarY commuter.

Don't do it. I had a M750 that I bought from a salvage auction and fixed up. Tons of fun, but started something. I later got a S4 (916 cc 4 valve) and a S4Rs (999 motor). The first gen round monsters are very comfortable with bars, that looks like clip-on, but that is easily fixed. The stock rear hugger is kinda ugly, so I can see taking that off. If you are worried about crash damage, take a magnet and look for bonds under the paint where the bars hit the tank.