1982 Ducati 900SS - #112 - Billy Joel Bike
This 1982 Ducati 900SS was purchased new by musician Billy Joel according to the seller, who acquired the bike in 2023 following 38 years with its second owner. The bike has been refinished in silver with blue graphics, and it is powered by an 864cc desmodromic L-twin paired with a five-speed transmission. Additional equipment includes a half-fairing, a two-up seat, clip-on handlebars, rear-set foot controls, triple disc brakes, Marzocchi suspension, bevel-driven camshafts, Dell’Orto PHF carburetors, and Conti megaphone mufflers. The tires were replaced in preparation for the sale. This 900 Super Sport is one of 335 examples said to have been produced for the model year and is now offered with a photocopy of its original New York title and a clean New York title in the seller’s name.
The seller states that the bike was painted burgundy under Billy Joel’s ownership, and it has since been refinished in the factory color of silver with blue stripes and 900 Super Sport graphics. The black-finished open-cradle steel frame utilizes the engine as a stressed member, and additional features include a 4.75-gallon fuel tank, vented side covers, a half-fairing with a clear windscreen, and a stepped two-up seat with a rear cowl as well as rear-set foot controls, folding passenger foot pegs, and both center and side stands.
Gold-finished 18″ cast alloy wheels were mounted with Bridgestone Battlax BT46 tires in preparation for the sale. Marzocchi suspension consists of a 38mm telescopic fork with black sliders as well as a pair of preload-adjustable shocks mounted to the swingarm. Triple disc braking is provided by dual 280mm drilled rotors with Brembo calipers up front and a single version at the rear.
Clip-on handlebars equipped with Verlicchi grips and bar-end plugs are secured beneath the upper triple clamp, which fronts a dashboard that houses a 150-mph Smiths speedometer, a matching tachometer with an 8k-rpm redline, and warning lamps along with a keyed ignition switch. The five-digit odometer shows 7k miles, approximately 100 of which were ridden by the seller.
The 864cc square-case L-twin features a desmodromic valvetrain, bevel-gear-driven overhead camshafts, an electronic ignition, a kick starter, a pair of 40mm Dell’Orto carburetors with screened velocity stacks, and a chrome dual exhaust system with upswept Conti megaphone mufflers. Close-up photos showing stampings on the pipes and mufflers can be viewed in the gallery. Maintenance under current ownership included replacing the battery and changing the oil.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed transmission and a drive chain with a polished guard.
The bike is accompanied by a copy of the bike’s original New York title that lists William Joel as the owner and a post office box address in Huntington, a township adjacent to Joel’s hometown of Oyster Bay on Long Island.
This 1982 Ducati 900SS was purchased new by musician Billy Joel according to the seller, who acquired the bike in 2023 following 38 years with its second owner. The bike has been refinished in silver with blue graphics, and it is powered by an 864cc desmodromic L-twin paired with a five-speed transmission. Additional equipment includes a half-fairing, a two-up seat, clip-on handlebars, rear-set foot controls, triple disc brakes, Marzocchi suspension, bevel-driven camshafts, Dell’Orto PHF carburetors, and Conti megaphone mufflers. The tires were replaced in preparation for the sale. This 900 Super Sport is one of 335 examples said to have been produced for the model year and is now offered with a photocopy of its original New York title and a clean New York title in the seller’s name.
The seller states that the bike was painted burgundy under Billy Joel’s ownership, and it has since been refinished in the factory color of silver with blue stripes and 900 Super Sport graphics. The black-finished open-cradle steel frame utilizes the engine as a stressed member, and additional features include a 4.75-gallon fuel tank, vented side covers, a half-fairing with a clear windscreen, and a stepped two-up seat with a rear cowl as well as rear-set foot controls, folding passenger foot pegs, and both center and side stands.
Gold-finished 18″ cast alloy wheels were mounted with Bridgestone Battlax BT46 tires in preparation for the sale. Marzocchi suspension consists of a 38mm telescopic fork with black sliders as well as a pair of preload-adjustable shocks mounted to the swingarm. Triple disc braking is provided by dual 280mm drilled rotors with Brembo calipers up front and a single version at the rear.
Clip-on handlebars equipped with Verlicchi grips and bar-end plugs are secured beneath the upper triple clamp, which fronts a dashboard that houses a 150-mph Smiths speedometer, a matching tachometer with an 8k-rpm redline, and warning lamps along with a keyed ignition switch. The five-digit odometer shows 7k miles, approximately 100 of which were ridden by the seller.
The 864cc square-case L-twin features a desmodromic valvetrain, bevel-gear-driven overhead camshafts, an electronic ignition, a kick starter, a pair of 40mm Dell’Orto carburetors with screened velocity stacks, and a chrome dual exhaust system with upswept Conti megaphone mufflers. Close-up photos showing stampings on the pipes and mufflers can be viewed in the gallery. Maintenance under current ownership included replacing the battery and changing the oil.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed transmission and a drive chain with a polished guard.
The bike is accompanied by a copy of the bike’s original New York title that lists William Joel as the owner and a post office box address in Huntington, a township adjacent to Joel’s hometown of Oyster Bay on Long Island.
This 1982 Ducati 900SS was purchased new by musician Billy Joel according to the seller, who acquired the bike in 2023 following 38 years with its second owner. The bike has been refinished in silver with blue graphics, and it is powered by an 864cc desmodromic L-twin paired with a five-speed transmission. Additional equipment includes a half-fairing, a two-up seat, clip-on handlebars, rear-set foot controls, triple disc brakes, Marzocchi suspension, bevel-driven camshafts, Dell’Orto PHF carburetors, and Conti megaphone mufflers. The tires were replaced in preparation for the sale. This 900 Super Sport is one of 335 examples said to have been produced for the model year and is now offered with a photocopy of its original New York title and a clean New York title in the seller’s name.
The seller states that the bike was painted burgundy under Billy Joel’s ownership, and it has since been refinished in the factory color of silver with blue stripes and 900 Super Sport graphics. The black-finished open-cradle steel frame utilizes the engine as a stressed member, and additional features include a 4.75-gallon fuel tank, vented side covers, a half-fairing with a clear windscreen, and a stepped two-up seat with a rear cowl as well as rear-set foot controls, folding passenger foot pegs, and both center and side stands.
Gold-finished 18″ cast alloy wheels were mounted with Bridgestone Battlax BT46 tires in preparation for the sale. Marzocchi suspension consists of a 38mm telescopic fork with black sliders as well as a pair of preload-adjustable shocks mounted to the swingarm. Triple disc braking is provided by dual 280mm drilled rotors with Brembo calipers up front and a single version at the rear.
Clip-on handlebars equipped with Verlicchi grips and bar-end plugs are secured beneath the upper triple clamp, which fronts a dashboard that houses a 150-mph Smiths speedometer, a matching tachometer with an 8k-rpm redline, and warning lamps along with a keyed ignition switch. The five-digit odometer shows 7k miles, approximately 100 of which were ridden by the seller.
The 864cc square-case L-twin features a desmodromic valvetrain, bevel-gear-driven overhead camshafts, an electronic ignition, a kick starter, a pair of 40mm Dell’Orto carburetors with screened velocity stacks, and a chrome dual exhaust system with upswept Conti megaphone mufflers. Close-up photos showing stampings on the pipes and mufflers can be viewed in the gallery. Maintenance under current ownership included replacing the battery and changing the oil.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a five-speed transmission and a drive chain with a polished guard.
The bike is accompanied by a copy of the bike’s original New York title that lists William Joel as the owner and a post office box address in Huntington, a township adjacent to Joel’s hometown of Oyster Bay on Long Island.