Alex Earle is the Design Program Manager for Volkswagen of America. But
he’s passionate about bikes as well as cars—and in particular, street
trackers.
Road-legal customs with a go fast, turn left vibe are getting more popular by the day. And Earle’s sleek Ducati Monster-based flyer is one of the best we’ve seen.
The concept is simple: A lightweight, modern-day tracker with cutting edge carbon fiber construction.
“It’s the perfect convergence of my personal interests,” says Earle.
“Excellent Ducati drivetrain, oversized wheels shod with aggressive
rubber, tall seat height, and pure flat track proportion and graphics.”
The stance is perfect, probably because Earle has used the same
prototyping process as you’d find in an automotive studio. He made a 1:5
scale model from sketches, and then 3D scanned it. The data from the
scan then went into a milling machine, which produced a mold for the
bodywork.
The result is a stunningly well-proportioned machine, and the dynamics
match the aesthetics. Earle knows his stuff, and knows where to get that
stuff made.
“The beauty of working in Los Angeles is that there’s a small but
fanatical group of fabricators who can realize just about anything you
can dream up,” he says. “Guys have 3D scanners, big 5-axis mills and 3D
printers. And most importantly, a deep well of experience with carbon,
engineering, engines and exhaust dynamics.”
The first goal was to save weight: the Earle Motors Tracker tips the scales at just 345 pounds without fuel. That’s 157 kilos, or about the same as Honda’s superlight CBR300R.
Earle has specc’d everything with weight saving in mind, from the LED
lights to the 19-inch wheels, which are machined from billet.
The seat is closer to ADV than sportbike territory though, with a
commanding height of 34 inches. Vortex flat track bars, wide and
swept-back, put the rider into an upright position—perfect for charging
the canyons, supermoto style.
The monocoque bodywork is carbon fiber, with hints of a late 70s Montesa Cota.
But the seat is resolutely modern: it’s upholstered with Niroxx, a
lightweight and grippy suede-type material that’s also waterproof.
For engines, Earle uses Ducati’s 900cc air cooled, carbureted motors
from the late 90s—as found in the Monster M900. Each motor is hooked up
to an exhaust system tuned for maximum horsepower and constructed from
stainless steel, with water jet-cut collars.
If you prefer more of a ‘retro superbike’ vibe, you can order the
Tracker with 17-inch three-spoke wheels, and handlebars with reduced
pullback. You’ll get what Earle calls a ‘road course bike’ with a much
lower stand-over height.
Earle has plans to build five bikes in this style. If you like what you see, drop him a line via the Earle Motors website.
Earle Motors | Facebook | Instagram
Specification
Custom, carbon fiber number plate with integrated LED headlamp
Vortex J Murph flat track bars
Custom bar clamp risers
Carbon fiber fork protectors
Brembo radial brake / clutch levers
K&N air filters (airbox eliminated)
Custom LED taillights incorporating turn indicators
Carbon fiber, illuminated number plate holder
Custom 19” wheels milled by RSD
Maxxis DTR-1 track tires with custom sidewall graphics
Ducati Performance rearsets
Full custom, tuned exhaust
Simple 4-bolt body removal
Carbon fiber body support
Carbon fiber battery tray, rear fender inner
Motogadget cycle computer
Bonded aircraft fuel cap (no mechanical fasteners)
Highly reworked frame
Ducati 900cc air cooled, carbureted engine 1994-1999
First read on www.bikeexif.com
There’s a definite formula when it comes to customizing motorcycles.
After all, there are only so many ways you can change the look of a bike
without resorting to extreme (and expensive) fabrication.
But there are a few builders who throw the rulebook out of the
window, freely experimenting with new shapes and styles. In Europe, Fred
Krugger and El Solitario spring to mind; in the US, Revival Cycles and
Max Hazan frequently push the limits.
Gustavo Pena of Apogee Motoworks is another one of those pioneers. The LA-based cinematographer builds extraordinary Ducatis
that look like nothing else on earth. This is his latest creation, “Le
Caffage”—a 2009-spec Ducati 848 worthy of a starring role in Tron.
Gustavo set out to design a bike that looks futuristic, but has
elements of neo-classic style too. “As if Ducati produced a bike in 2050
paying homage to a bike from 2030,” he says.
The design elements are very deliberate, dominated by an oversized gas
tank with vintage café proportions. Gustavo has also modified the
trellis frame to edge it closer to traditional lines, flowing into an
minimalist but comfortable saddle.
The twin exhausts—handcrafted in stainless steel—mirror the
voluptuous curves of the upper bodywork. But the most attention-grabbing
aspect is the headlight, an aggressively lidded design that also houses
the speedo and adds an air of menace to the machine.
“A normal round drum headlight from eBay would just not cut it!” says
Gustavo. Guided by the volume and silhouette of the fuel tank, he’s
shaped the carbon fiber headlight to accentuate the 848’s predatory
stance—”Like that of a lion, a bull, or a shark.”
Gustavo also found inspiration from his Russian girlfriend: her
cheekbones suggested the delicate lines and chiseled side profile of the
headlight. Eagle-eyed petrolheads will spot that the LED light unit
itself is lifted from a BMW i8.
The 848 engine has been heavily upgraded with NCR
parts, including titanium valves, a slipper clutch, and a full set of
titanium bolts and fasteners. The pistons are from Ferracci and the
titanium connecting rods are from Pankl.
Rather than hide the typical superbike radiator, Gustavo has designed
carbon fiber structural intakes with the help of a composite specialist
from F1. They neatly blend with the 848’s immense radiator and the
imposing gas tank.
South of the radiator is more carbon fiber, this time a belly pan that shrouds the oil cooler and lower part of the engine.
Then the entire front and rear suspension was disassembled. Every
single aluminum part has been polished to a jewel-quality finish, and
then sprayed with a 3M sealant to keep it maintenance free.
Many other parts have been powder coated and then treated to a ceramic
coating on top—including the entire trellis frame, the swingarm, rear
sets and the forged Marchesini racing wheels. Both wheels are shrouded
with custom carbon huggers.
And the name “Le Caffage”? It’s a neologism, a made-up word alluding
to the café style, and came out of a conversation between Gustavo and a
French friend.
If your appetite is whetted, you’ll be glad to know that a limited run
of Apogee Ducatis has just started. The donor bikes are not only the
Ducati 848, but also 1098s and Streetfighters. And each will have its
own distinctive characteristics.
To put a true original in your garage, drop Gustavo a line via his website.
Apogee Motoworks | Instagram
First published in bikeexif.com
Austin's Revival Cycles continue to raise the bar with their impressive
build portfolio and their latest custom creation is a jaw dropping
masterpiece. Based on what was once a bright yellow, full faired 1997
900SS, their J63 Cafe Racer is a nut and bolt reincarnation of Ducati's
venerable Super Sport. Exposing the bikes beautiful 90 degree v-twin,
redesigning it's frame and modifying it's suspension were only the
beginning of this comprehensive build, but it's the bikes unique
bodywork that really makes it a cut above the rest.
The work that's gone into the 'J63' comes as no surprise. Revival
founders Alan Stulberg and Stefan Hertel pride themselves on building
custom bikes that are “better than the original" and looking at the original '97 model 900SS I'd have to say they've achieved exactly that. When the Ducati arrived
at the Revival workshop it was a neglected, incomplete restoration.
After tearing off the stock plastics the engine was torn down to the
crank and treated to an extensive overhaul. All new bearings, gaskets
and rings were installed and the cylinders honed. The crank was
balanced. valves renewed and the heads were ported and polished for
maximum efficiency. Twin Dellorto PH36 carbs with accelerator pumps now
deliver the fuel to the engine and a custom stainless steel 2-into-1
system with hand formed silencer take care of the exhaust gases. To deal
with the power gains the boys also upgraded the bikes clutch using a
refurbished Ducati Corsa "slipper" clutch from a 1098.
An upgraded stator and regulator/rectifier, ignition system, wiring loom
and an antigravity battery make up the list of charging system
upgrades, while LED lighting and Motogadget switches and electrical
controllers modernise its electronic accessories. Revs and speed are
displayed via a custom mounted Motoscope Classic gauge and for the
information hungry rider it'll also report on top speed, oil pressure,
average speed, voltage, current selected gear and the all important
0-60mph times.
Handling upgrades come in the form of fully adjustable Öhlins cartridge
shocks and a set of upside-down telescopic forks taken from a Ducati
Sport Classic. Braking is managed by Brembo in the rear and Discacciati
up front and the wheels are custom laced Sport Classic rims wrapped in
Avon rubber. The high mounted clip-on style bars are a work of art and
are, of course, custom made. You'll also find a set of custom rear-sets
for foot controls and a top triple clamp all milled at the Revival
workshop.
The trellis frame of 900SS also underwent custom modification to create a
more balanced stance and prepare it for the fitment of the new
bodywork. Using hand forming techniques aluminium sheet was shaped to
create the J63's slender tank and tail. By having the bodywork run
parallel to the road and tapering the tail off sharply the bike has an
awesome feeling of speed even when it's sitting stationary. Countless
hours of polishing have resulted in mirror finishes on almost all of the
bikes alloy components and to add a final touch of colour the boys
added deep red grips and a beautifully made, diamond stitched seat.
Picturing the Revival Cycles J63 as the plastic covered, 90's sports
bike it once was is now almost impossible and quite frankly I much
prefer gazing at it now.
First read on www.returnofthecaferacers
The
Ducati 900SS is a motorcycle that’s rapidly becoming a bit of a modern
classic, custom bike builders have been discovering the raw mechanical
beauty that lies just beneath the original fairings but no one has quite
showcased the 900SS as well as Old Empire Motorcycles with the
example you see pictured here.
The bike started life as a 1995
900SS with its iconic Pantah-based 904cc air-cooled L-twin, each
cylinder is fed by two Desmodue valves and the crankcase was a modified
version of the one used on the Ducati 851. This engine has long been a
favourite amongst the Ducatista and from a purely aesthetic standpoint
it looks like it belongs in a modern art museum in between a Series I E-Type Jaguar and a Riva.
Ducati
had introduced the 900SS in 1989 and although it was beautiful and
highly capable, it frequently suffered from cracked swing-arms – so in
1991 Ducati introduced an upgraded model with a chrome-molybdenum steel
trellis frame and bearings rather than bushings where the previously
problematic swing-arm attached to the frame.
This new version was a
revelation, it offered impressive reliability with tire melting
performance and looks that would go on to influence motorcycle designers
around the world. By the late ’90s the Ducati Monster had begun to
steal some of the limelight from the 900SS due to its lower cost and
more beginner-friendly handling, by 1998 a redesigned version was
released with somewhat controversial styling – this has led to the
popularity now seen around the 900SS from the model years 1991 to 1998.
As
you can clearly tell, the Ducati you see here has undergone an
intensive custom rebuild and many parts from the original bike are now
in the parts bin. Looking at the design closely it gives an impression
of what Ducati would have built if they were competing with Indian,
Harley-Davidson and Cyclone on the board track circuits of the United
States throughout the 1910s and 1920s.
Any regular visitor to
Silodrome will be well aware that we have a significant soft spot for
anything board track related and I have vague memories of writing an
article a few years ago demanding that the frequently lethal sport be
brought back with immediate effect. I’m reasonably sure I even offered
to bring my own hammer to help build the wooden tracks.
With this
in mind you can imagine how interested we were to receive a folder of
images from the team at Old Empire Motorcycles containing the Ducati
pictured here. The build project took them almost 2 years and unlike the
other customs they build, this one wasn’t built for a client. It was a
personal project for the team and the freedom afforded them by not
having to keep a client happy allowed them to throw out the rule book
and fire up the acetylene torch.
Perhaps the most immediately
eye-catching element on the build is that Girder fork front end and
brass headlight, when combined with the 21″ front wheel and quad leading
shoe drum brake you’d never know that the bike was less than 20 years
old. A single leading shoe drum is installed inside the 21″ rear wheel
and the swing-arm has been entirely removed in favour of a solid rear –
far more fitting on a motorcycle designed to race on a circuit made of
two-by-fours.
The copper tubing and braided wiring around the
engine are tasteful touches, as is the extensive use of brass and
leather. The fuel tank is a hand-fabricated twin-tank with copper plugs
and the seat is a similarly handmade unit – the guys at Old Empire tell
me that the seat is perfect for blasting around British B-roads but is
probably not entirely suitable for long distance motorcycle touring.
If
you’d like to read more about this Ducati or see some of the other
custom motorcycles to roll out of the Old Empire garage you can click here to visit their official website.
Photography by Onno Wieringa.
First read on http://silodrome.com
Ducati Monster SR2 Cafe Racer
Ducati Cafe Racer based on Ducati Monster SR2 built by mechanical
engineer John Grainge. Custom Cafe racer seat by Radical Ducati,
sub-frame was rebuilt, Custom fuel tank mounting and rear set was
machined by john. Fuel tank was borroed from Ducati 749 and customized,
Ohlins front suspension and disc brakes from Ducati 848, Ohlins rear
suspension from Ducati 999, Ducati Hypermotard 1100S Marchesini
magnesium wheels, Harley-Davidson V-Rod headlamp, Custom Exhaust system,
custom Paint job by Alan Stanley, electrical Redesigned. Ducati Monster
SR2 Cafe Racer is unique and is an assemble of best parts from all
Ducati motorcycles.
first appeared in http://www.way2speed.com
It’s always a staff favourite when we get the chance to feature a
turbocharged motorcycle here on Silodrome, motorcycles usually have a
power to weight ratio so absurd that adding a compressor into the mix is
usually considered an unnecessary complication. Fortunately though, the
team at DP Customs love nothing more than a little in the way of
unnecessary complication. Especially if it makes things faster.
With
a rear wheel horsepower rating of 154 and 132 torques (as Clarkson
would say) this is an air-cooled 1200cc Harley-Davidson V-Twin that can
mix it up with the likes of Ducati and KTM. The engine was built by Trask Performance and
features a welded crank, Screaming Eagle heads and a Thundermax ECU –
the turbo generates 14PSI and is fed by a lone pod air-filter.
The
frame has had its rear cropped and replaced with a custom 8″ stretch
drop-seat hard-tail, the oil tank, seat pan and battery box were all
then fabricated in house and fitted. The fuses/circuit breakers etc. are
housed in a custom enclosure below the seat, and the Thundermax tuner
is in the rear cowl. The fuel tank started as an original Harley OEM unit that was chopped and redesigned by DP Customs to suit the look and feel of the new bike.
The
Turbo Sportster’s front end has been fitted with Ducati 1198s grade
Öhlins forks with custom spacers from Kyle Racing, the brakes are Brembo
Monobloc units with a Brembo RCS master cylinder and the front wheel is
a carbon fibre model from BST. That Ducati front end was fitted to the
Harley frame by way of a custom triple tree from Shane over at Chainsikle -
this isn’t the kind of work you’d trust to just anyone either,
Chainsikle has just over 10 years of experience building bespoke parts
for Sportsters just like this one.
Rear braking is also handled by
Brembo and the rear wheel is a forged aluminium Marchesini unit, with
no rear suspension that rear wheel takes huge loads under heavy
acceleration so the race-spec forged aluminium will go a long way
towards avoiding your timed run ending in a shower of sparks and 4
inches less ground clearance. The team at DP Customs chose Pirelli
Diablo Super Corsa SP tires for both the front and rear – just about the
stickiest road-legal tires you can buy in many parts of the world.
Sadly
we haven’t yet see any video footage of this bike under hard
acceleration, although it isn’t hard to imagine that the noise from
those straight pipes combined with the turbo whine would sound like
something akin to the voice of a drunk Norse god.
See more bikes from DP Customs here.
first appeared in silodrome.com
