I love Darmah's. My pal had a red and white one of these, Conti exhausts of course. I rode it once on a 50 mile run. Lovely machine to my engineers ear.
I had a brand new darmah SD from Hailwood and Gould in 1980, brilliant bike! Sold for a 900 Honda in 1983. I regretted selling it so I purchased a 900 darmah ss. That bike hated going slow as it had the 40mm carbs as opposed to the 32mm on the darmah SD which was more usable around town.
I had a super darmah in the eighties and rode it every day as a work bike. Awsome . But I sold it in 84 and bought a Gpz1100 with the fixed fairing because I got tired of being left behind. Oh how things of changed.
Nice machine and exactly like mine will look one day soon. I did ride an SS and frankly hated it. Mine has been in surgery for a while. The engine needed a full rebuild after “Ducati specialist” failed dismally to spot a bodged crank case and misaligned selector fork shaft. Twice! I have removed the electric start which always sounded like it would fly to bits and converted to kick (an option not fitted). The entire electric start and giant battery weigh a ton so glad to be rid of them. I’m assured that the kick start is actually good and properly set up are no bother. We’ll see….. When it was running the engine was very smooth over about 2,500 rpm. The clutch was very heavy so may go hydraulic. Not cheap but my weedy wrist will struggle. Yours will been sold but nice to hear one running.
Does anyone know the whereabouts of my old 1981 Darmah JNY874W. I had the enormous pleasure of being his companion from new till 2001 and would love to know how my old friend is doing.
Agree with all you say re Darmah against 900Ss except... the weight, huge battery and electric start and seat must add 35 lbs makes it hard work to push around at times
