MotoService Log
Ducati 900 SS / 860 GT / GTS / Darmah / MHR
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Ducati · Ducati bevel twin (750 GT/Sport/SS, 900SS, 860, MHR 1971-1986)

900 SS / 860 GT / GTS / Darmah / MHR

Library entry covers 1975-1986

18 factory 51 guideline

Published source

Ducati 750 SS / 900 SS Desmo 1975 Instructions for Use and Maintenance (Ducati Meccanica), Maintenance pp.46-47

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1975 750 SS / 900 SS Desmo instructions for use and maintenance (Ducati), intervals in km and miles.

69 items for a 1976 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)
Engine cycle
Four-stroke
Engine lubrication
Wet sump (oil in crankcase)
Oil filtration
Replaceable cartridge or spin-on filter
Valve gear
Overhead cam, screw/locknut adjusters
Ignition
Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging
Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery
Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system
Two or more carburetors
Cooling
Air / oil cooled
Primary drive
Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil
Shares engine oil
Clutch control
Hand lever, cable
Final drive
Chain
Front suspension
Telescopic fork
Rear suspension
Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake
Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake
Disc, hydraulic
Wheels
Spoked, tubed
Sidecar
No sidecar
Maintenance schedule

1976 Ducati 900 SS / 860 GT / GTS / Darmah / MHR

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item
  • Check engine oil level
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 300 mi

2 items
  • Check lights, horn, brake light switches
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Check tire pressures
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item
  • Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 600 mi

1 item
  • Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

On the road: every 620 mi

1 item
  • Lubricate drive chain
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Factory

    Manual: Chain: check tension and lubricate. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47: every 1,000 km (620 mi)

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item
  • Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

Every 310 mi

2 items
  • Check and adjust valve clearances
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Desmo valve clearances: check. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47: checked at 500 km; afterwards at Ducati's recommendation (no periodic figure given in this list)

  • Check cylinder head bolt torque
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Cylinder head bolts: tighten. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47: at first 500 km

Every 620 mi

1 item
  • Check the engine oil level
    Engine
    Factory

    Factory: As printed: Every 1000 Km (about 620 Miles) (km figure garbled 'IOCn' in OCR)

Every 1,000 mi or 1 month

1 item
  • Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

    Wet-cell batteries on old machines need regular topping up, more in hot weather.

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

1 item
  • Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 1,500 mi or 6 months

1 item
  • Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)
    Final drive
    Guideline

    Non O-ring chains on old machines: remove, clean, soak in hot chain grease or lube, refit with the master link clip closed end leading.

Every 1,860 mi

1 item
  • Change engine oil
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Engine oil: drain hot and refill. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47: first at 1,000 km (620 mi); check the level every 1,000 km

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

2 items
  • Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Lubricate control cables and lever pivots
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

12 items
  • Check engine mounting bolts and plates
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Check throttle cable(s) free play and return
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Check steering head bearing adjustment
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Grease and check center / side stand and springs
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Check wheel bearings for play
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 3,100 mi

7 items
  • Check all screws and nuts
    Engine
    Factory

    Factory: As printed: Every [km figure truncated] Km (about 3100 Miles)

  • Clean / inspect air filter
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Carburetor air filters: wash, blow out. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47

  • Synchronize carburetors
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Manual: Carburetor float chamber, main and idle jets: clean. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47

  • Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Manual: Clutch: readjust. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47

  • Grease swingarm pivot
    Rear suspension and frame
    Factory

    Manual: Rear fork hinge: lubricate. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47

  • Check brake pads and discs
    Brakes
    Factory

    Manual: Brake pad wear and pump fluid level: check. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47: brakes readjusted at 500 km

  • Check spoke tension and wheel true
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Manual: Spoke nipples and wheel nuts: tighten. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47: first at 500 km

Every 3,720 mi

1 item
  • Replace oil filter
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Oil filter cartridge: replace. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47: every second oil change; first at 1,000 km

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item
  • Replace spark plugs
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

5 items
  • Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.

  • Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Check swingarm bushes for play
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

    A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

1 item
  • Check engine breather and oil return
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

2 items
  • Compression test (or leak-down)
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Change fork oil
    Front end
    Guideline

    Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.

Every 10,000 mi

1 item
  • Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)
    Final drive
    Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

1 item
  • Replace air filter element
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

Every 12,000 mi

1 item
  • Check bevel gear shimming / bevel noise
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 12,400 mi

1 item
  • Decarbonize head, grind / lap valves (top-end decoke)
    Engine
    Factory

    Manual: Exhaust pipes and cylinders: remove carbon from heads and pistons. Factory: Maintenance pp.46-47: Ducati dealer job

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item
  • Inspect clutch plates and springs
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 20,000 mi or 4 years

2 items
  • Repack / replace steering head bearings
    Front end
    Guideline

    Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.

  • Repack / replace wheel bearings
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

    Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item
  • Replace swingarm bushes / bearings
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item
  • Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs
    Front end
    Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item
  • Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item
  • Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

    Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

4 items
  • Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Replace brake fluid
    Brakes
    Guideline

Every 4 years

3 items
  • Replace fuel lines
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

  • Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)
    Brakes
    Guideline

Every 6 years

2 items
  • Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

No interval set

4 items
  • Fully drain and replace the crankcase oil and filter cartridge
    Engine
    Factory

    Factory: As printed: At first 1000 Km (about 620 Miles)

  • Top up the crankcase oil level
    Engine
    Factory

    Factory: As printed: At first [km figure garbled] (about 310 Miles)

  • Readjust the brakes and wheel spokes
    Brakes
    Factory

    Factory: As printed: At first [km figure garbled] (about 310 Miles)

  • Check tire pressure with a gauge
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Factory: As printed: At first [km figure garbled] (about 310 Miles)

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.

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Other 1976 Ducati models

All 1976 Ducati
1975-1976
500 GTL
Guideline