Licks Cycles: Ducati 750SS Café Racer

Polish Ardour: Ducati Cafe Racer from Versor…

In 1972, Paul Sensible took victory within the first Imola 200 on a Ducati 750, breaking the Italian manufacturing facility into the big-bike brotherhood of main European, Japanese, and British producers.

“By successful the primary big-bucks 200-miler held outdoors the USA for the brand new era of large-capacity bikes embraced by Formulation 750, the British rider not solely put Ducati on the map, he additionally kickstarted the method resulting in Ducati’s successive World Superbike champions.” –Alan Cathcart

What’s extra, the victory paved the best way for the introduction of the street-going Ducati 750 SS (Tremendous Sport) in 1973, and the SS household would develop into one of many Bologna manufacturing facility’s hottest and profitable mannequin ranges for many years to return.

By 2000, the 750 SS had develop into a mix of outdated and new know-how, pairing a 64-bhp air-cooled Desmo twin with gas injection, Brembo brakes, and fully-adjustable Showa forks.

“The Ducati 750 SS just isn’t an excellent sport per se, as in a excessive powered, extraordinarily sharp dealing with race oriented sportbike. It’s a sportbike for the road, and fairly a manageable one at that.” –Journey Aside

Enter our buddy Przemek Swidlinski, a Polish engineer whose grandfather had what they name in Polish a “złota rączka” or “golden hand” — a capability to repair absolutely anything. Younger Przemek continued the custom, engaged on mopeds and bikes from a younger age, and at this time customized bikes are his ardour. Przemek works out of his storage, and his eldest son is already engaged on bikes, too.

Final 12 months, we featured Przemek’s customized Yamaha XV750, and now he’s again with this beautiful 2000 Ducati 750 SS. The donor had been wrecked and badly repaired — the right candidate for a customized construct:

“I by no means owned a Ducati, the legend, earlier than… It was alleged to be a straightforward construct — for a change — you must see me smiling now.”

In the end, this may be essentially the most extremely completed undertaking to roll out of Przemek’s workshop. Przmek modified the entrance subframe to make the brand new Ricambi Weiss fairing detachable, so the bike may be ridden faired or bare — a singular function he’s particularly pleased with.

Przmek designed the equal-length 2:1 exhaust that snakes up below the brand new customized tail cowl, full with warmth shielding to maintain the rider’s bum from roasting.

As soon as he had the bodywork, saddle, exhaust, license plate mount, and different most important elements of the construct executed, Przemek was going to promote the bike earlier than investing far more money and time.

Nevertheless, he quickly met a piece colleague and veteran rider, and the 2 struck a deal to complete the construct to a really excessive caliber. The numerous particulars are laid out beneath, in addition to the native suppliers, workshops, and craftspeople who aided him with the construct.

The client nicknamed the bike “Jessica,” which confused Przemek till he realized the inspiration:

“Because the bike may be very curvy and really purple, it’s just like the film character, Jessica Rabbit — from the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Anybody who is aware of the film should agree.”

Not solely is that this one of many sexiest Ducs we’ve ever seen, Przemek says the bike handles nice, sounds unimaginable, and is about 18 kilos (~40 lbs) lighter than inventory. Bravo!

Under, Przemek offers us the total particulars on this unimaginable Ducati café racer. Pictures courtesy of Przemyslaw Kasperski. Get pleasure from!

Ducati 750 Café Racer: Builder Interview

• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.

My identify is Przemek, I’m 46 years outdated, I graduated as a mechanical engineer and labored for a few years within the automotive trade. About 5 years in the past I modified my profession to IT and work as a Challenge Supervisor and Automotive and Manufacturing subject material skilled now for a world firm. About three years in the past I needed to begin my very own firm to work for the present employer.

I dwell in Poland; that is the place I used to be born and grew up. I’m pleased with this and am connected to the Silesia area. I lived additionally within the northern England for eight years and I liked it; I miss it now typically.

Once I was beginning my firm, I needed to outline what it will do, so I included bikes within the scope. Bikes are my ardour, however solely customs. I don’t care about inventory bikes, however the builds. I really get pleasure from constructing greater than driving today.

About 4 years in the past we purchased a home and I renovated the storage, subsequent to the home, to serve me as a motorcycle workshop. It’s nothing fancy, I didn’t spend an excessive amount of cash on it, however all the things over there may be designed to offer me consolation when engaged on bikes.

I began having fun with bikes after I was about ten, I believe. It began with mopeds. I renovated couple of outdated bikes later, starting from 1928 to Nineteen Fifties. I owned additionally Japanese bikes and used them for commuting. My grandfather was a really expert handyman, who might do nearly all the things. Within the Polish language it’s known as “złota rączka,” which implies “golden hand.”

Working in workshop on vehicles and all the things else was pure for me, I picked it up. Sadly, my granddad died early, however I proceed this. My older son is already engaged on yet one more motorbike undertaking for a buyer. These should not a full builds, however reasonably renovations for now. He additionally owns two mopeds, one sport bike and one oldtimer. I’m amazed after I see him tear engines aside and put them again collectively. I want I did that after I was 20. My youthful son, who’s 10 now, just isn’t into bikes but. I hope that he’s by no means into driving – I fear about security.

I’m very fortunate that my spouse, Karina, helps my ardour. She understands after I have to concentrate on a construct, which implies that I assist much less at house. Even when I’ve doubts about constructing bikes, she convinces me to maintain doing it, as a result of, as she says, “It’s your ardour,” and he or she is pleased with it.

• What’s the make, mannequin, and 12 months of the donor bike?

The bike began as a Ducati SuperSport 750, mannequin 12 months 2000. It was in a poor situation after I acquired it. It was in a light-weight accident and the repairs weren’t executed properly. It was rideable and highway authorized, with a rock-bottom price ticket.

• Why was this bike constructed?

The bike was constructed as a result of I felt like constructing a Ducati. I by no means owned a Ducati, the legend, earlier than. I bought it after I was engaged on the Nosce Te Ipsum Yamaha featured right here on BikeBound. It was alleged to be a straightforward construct — for a change — you must see me smiling now.

Know Thyself: Yamaha XV750 Cafe Racer

• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?

The idea was to make it a café racer. I wished to stay a fairing on it, spherical headlight, and a café racer seat. I at all times attempt to do one thing on my bikes that I’ve not seen earlier than. This time it’s the entrance fairing that may be taken off in a few minutes, reworking the character of the bike.

• What customized work was executed to the bike?

The entrance subframe was modified to simply accept the brand new headlight and fairing. It was additionally made partially detachable, so nothing stands out when the fairing is off.

The exhaust was made new, designed by me with equal header lengths two-into-one with the silencer hidden perception the rear cowl. I like this setup as a result of the rear of the bike may be very slim, slim — there aren’t any cans protruding to every facet. The rear part of the body was shortened and narrowed to permit fitment of the rear cowl.

The seat and plate holder are customized components.

I additionally designed and ordered the rings for the gauges. The rings have been turned by nice guys from Tok-Spec, primarily based on my pencil scribble. Handlebar needed to be made customized to permit the indications and mirrors in the identical time.

Let me describe the construct now. I purchased a operating Ducati in a poor situation and wished to construct a Café Racer with entrance fairing. I really by no means constructed a motorcycle with a fairing earlier than. I began with ordering a fairing, gentle, and rear cowl — from Ricambi Weiss. On the similar time I began to strip the bike. It was alleged to be a straightforward and fast construct. My first milestone was to attempt on all the brand new bits.

Within the course of I figured that I could make the entrance detachable — a singular function — one thing I at all times attempt to discover. The exhaust required some pondering and a little bit of swearing, nevertheless it labored. I ready all the things for welding and invited my buddy, who’s a really expert welder. I don’t do stuff that I can’t do properly myself, however work with different folks as an alternative. We’ve been cooperating for years now and I understand how to arrange stuff for him. I didn’t even ask him for a quote, I belief him.

He turned up together with his van, did the welding, we had a chat, and I requested how a lot he charged. He mentioned an quantity that was about one fifth of what it must be. I used to be shocked. It might cowl solely petrol, gasoline, and the welding wire he used, not even his time. I requested him why he doesn’t cost me what he ought to. He replied: “As a result of you don’t do it for cash, it’s your ardour.”

It felt very good. I put all the things collectively and the fast and soiled construct was executed. I needed to placed on some miles to seek out potential points. One in every of them turned out to be my backside, which was getting fairly sizzling. I put in a warmth defend and used thermal protecting tape on the underside of the seat and the issue was solved.

I additionally realized that at the moment there was not a lot demand for bikes like that and the asking costs have been very low. If I completed the construct to my requirements, I may need misplaced cash on the bike. So I made a decision to promote the bike because it was. I’ve present in previous that the majority of my construct bills go into ending the bike reasonably than on “shaping it.”

There was little curiosity with the bike because it was marketed. A piece colleague acquired in contact with me. Someone talked about to him that I construct bikes. He’s a eager biker, we acquired speaking and he wished to purchase the bike, however provided that I completed the construct. He preferred the look of the Ducati and it will be a subsequent bike for his and his spouse’s assortment, as each of them experience. I ready a value estimate, we agreed on an open guide value, and the construct went on.

The bike was completely stripped and every half acquired one of the best remedy. As my buyer is an skilled rider, there have been loads of subjects the place he knew precisely what he wished. Different occasions he let me select or suggest options.

From this level on, it’s really my buyer’s benefit how properly the bike turned out. The cash he invested within the construct is seen. That is the highest quality end that I’ve ever launched. There are lots of new components. Tires are new, the precise mannequin the shopper wished. The brake discs are new. It was really troublesome to seek out discs with the silver inside half. The calipers are blasted again to silver too.

Please have a look at the wheels. The client wished them polished. They’re vibration polished with clear primer and clear coat. The blokes from Glancowaniefelg are nice.

The paint scheme was chosen by the shopper. It’s the real Ducati purple with a stripe alongside the bike and real Ducati font. Paint was executed by once more by Slawomir Bilinski from BSart. That is the highest quality paint that I’ve ever seen. All is painted, there aren’t any stickers. The clear coat seems very thick. The body was sand-blasted, powder-coated and at last painted by Slawomir.

The upholstery: seat, tank pad, grips and the important thing fob have been once more ready by Łukasz from the Automobile Design Middle in Gliwice. I really like working with him, as a result of he is ready to notice my concepts, including from his expertise and instinct. The work is at all times executed to very best quality.

All aluminum components appear like new, as a result of they have been hydroblasted. I actually like this end as a result of it offers a clear, satin look. The floor is sturdy too. I can at all times rely on Jacek to place his coronary heart within the components I take to him – JCH Blasting on FB.

A few components have been powder-coated for sturdiness. It was once more executed by Mr. Kaczmarczyk from Zabrze, as at all times to very best quality. There have been a handful of metal components that have been all zinc-plated. I additionally changed most of bolts with stainless. All this could make sure that the bike will look good even after a few years.

It was essential for the shopper that the engine was dependable. I made a decision to order the engine overhaul at Moto Meccanica 2M. It was a pleasure to work with Marcin. He’s additionally accountable for the look of the engine. The client selected the end scheme primarily based on photos and I didn’t need to do anything to it.

I can at all times rely on Tadeusz from MotoATN with normal mechanical assist, expertise, and at all times nice recommendation. I ordered almost all components from Larsson Polska. I labored with them for the primary time, however I hope not final. As you’ll be able to see, most cooperation was executed regionally — I choose it this manner.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Sure, it does. As quickly because the buyer acquired the bike, he nicknamed it Jessica. I have to say that I used to be properly puzzled at first. I requested about it and should agree now. Because the bike may be very curvy and really purple, it’s just like the film character, Jessica Rabbit — from the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Any who is aware of the film should agree. The client additionally bought a jacket particularly for this bike — one with a giant Ducati emblem on it, as his earlier jacket was no good — there was a Triumph emblem on it!

• Any concept of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?

The ability is inventory, properly it might breath just a bit bit higher now because of the new exhaust system. The load is about 165kg dry, in comparison with 183kg inventory.

• Are you able to inform us what it’s wish to experience this bike?

Let me share with you these phrases ready by the proprietor:

“On condition that the bike’s geometry has not modified and the seat place has solely modified barely, it rides very very like the unique 750 SS.”

“It has a delicate entrance and fairly stiff rear suspension, so it offers good feeling and suggestions on the entrance and the rear is comparatively secure when dashing out of corners. The soundness out of corners is usually because of the small engine and its modest energy, however for this sort of light-weight bike it’s good. The seating place is ‘old-fashioned,’ so that you sit reasonably contained in the bike than on high of it.”

“These information, mixed with the distinctive work Przemek has executed in rebuilding the bike and the unbelievable ardour he put within the particulars, it makes it an excellent pleasure to do a relaxed experience on minor roads. And naturally, having a break sometimes and simply have a look at all the main points specifically and on the whole murals on the whole.”

He talked about to me just lately that it was agreed for Jessica to remain of their lounge for the winter — good!

• Was there something executed throughout this construct that you’re notably pleased with?

I do like how the exhaust turned out. It’s designed for efficiency, seems good, is rideable — rider’s bum doesn’t get sizzling, and most significantly — it sounds superior. The sound of a motorcycle is essential to me and this one is absolutely, excellent.

I’m very pleased with the general high quality of the bike. It was constructed with consideration to element and to the highest quality. I do just like the silhouette of the bike, its stance. The cooperation with the shopper was actually improbable. He knew what he wished and I might additionally affect his decisions.