Ducati Monster Forum

We all know that the Ducati Monster crowd are the best and most innovative in terms of making modifications to their bikes!  Thus why I'm posting here instead of on a Sport Classic forum. [thumbsup]

As some of you know, we have two upcoming Sport Classic projects.  One is pretty radical (already designed and underway) and the second will be moderately modified based upon a stock 2006. (I need to retain the wire wheels, suspension/geometry, frame and DS1000 engine for this 2nd project)

So I guess the question should be is this: if you could have designed the Sport Classic 1000 (or were to modify one) -- what would you change to make it a better looking bike?  (and the answer "make it into a Monster isn't an option in this thread...)  I'm just looking for more ideas to present to the owner as part of a 3rd concept idea.  (I like to "blueprint a design" before anything is built -- much easier for budgeting and customer delivery expectations)

Cleaner, higher rear.
Seat cowl if it's not there.
Less "comfortable" seat.
Boom Tube'y or shortie exhaust. Or the scrambler looking type, like on the BMW new project bike (seen it?)
Small headlight fairing.
Belly pan which also goes a little higher up in the front.
Strangely bent/welded bars.
Long front fender, like the GT model.
Removed or window'ed belt covers.

and of course: some kind of window for the wet clutch cover  [bang] [bang] ;)

But what do I know, I'm only posting to compete for the steak knifes.

1) NOT a chopper   ;D
2) custom exhaust: it'll be tough to beat that Zard set-up with cans exiting one high and one down low.
3) black/gold color scheme
4) smaller fuel tank

I don't like that the stock SC looks heavy and wide.  I personally would of liked it to look light and thin,...You know, like a cafe racer.

1) Open up the frame.
2) Clean up wires and hoses.
3) Treat all bare aluminum. motor/forks/oil cooler/triples/clip-ons/ etc. w/ PC or Paint.
4) remove as much plastic as possible.
5) lose the shotgun pipes.
6) lose the rear mudguard.
7) lose as much BS as possible.
8 ) keep the all the lights classic.  No fleta(sp) led strip.
9) color on the frame?
10) dual rear shocks

Don't see too many L&R high mount exhausts on the SC.

def. tidy up the tail section, as far as fender/lights are concerned
Zard GP-style pipes are the only way to go  [evil]
all the typ brake/suspension upgrades
change that stubby front fender (I like the GT fender way better than the sport)
maybe a small flyscreen
open clutch cover, polished cases, and black barrels
I like red on red w/silver, like the 350 SCD... although google is no help in finding photos of it

I have an '06, and given carte blanche, this is what I'd do:

Mods/design changes I would make:
-Lose the rear fender/signal cluster thing. Its hideous. Replace it with something like the one from Custom Dynamics.
-Machined rearsets. The cast stockers just look cheap.
-Do something about the dash. The white-face gauges look great, but the whole cluster is kind of bulky. Someone on here put a speedo in an oversized front headlight. It was pretty sick looking.
-Some sort of side-panel for the triangle under the area where the seat meets the tank, like the old 750GT.

-Fully adjustable forks.
-Radial brakes. I've seen them with spacers between the caliper and the fork lower, needed to clear the spokes.
-Top-mount steering damper.
-Boom Tubes that look similar to the existing manifold, but with a better crossover. Or ones that shoot straight out under the little raised notch in the swingarm.
-Paint. I think it'd look super-sexy in titanium with a red frame.
-Bling to taste. Clutch, belt covers, reservoirs, etc.
-Frame and axle sliders, and DP oval or Rizoma bar-end mirrors.

If I designed it I would make the tail/cowl a different shape not taller but shorter (compact) The longer tank looks good but the front of it has a downish angle that I would change. I would play around with different side panel shapes to make the tail and frame go a little better (cover all or parts of that frame triangle).  Perhaps even relocate the shock to some other location under or in front? I don't really know if any of this is really possible in realistic terms for what your looking to do but you asked ;D Ohh and a smaller headlight.

My 1986 Mercedes 300SDL Diesel has them thar squirters....

  Maybe that is where they got the idea.

The bike falls apart at the tank and the seat.  Both are far too wide and make the whole thing look piggish.  Slimmer tank (one that doesn't hang over and obscure the top tube of the frame), slimmer seat (perhaps with a wider waist).  Also, dual shocks a la the 1000 S.  The dual shocks give the bike more symmetry.  A single shock is fine for a single-sided arm, but it throws off the visual balance with a dual-sided arm.  NCR's New Blue is a stunning take, primarily because of the dual shocks and the beautiful Zard exhaust.  Really, you can't improve on that exhaust - its a work of Ti art. 

fyi: I'll do a one-off exhaust on my bike -- I'm building a new chromoly frame with new carbonfiber bodywork based upon clay styling buck. (I'll probably do a tutorial for others to see how to create one-off bodywork)  Second Sport Classic will get a BoomTube-style type of exhaust that will compliment the styling and be something available for others later. (The Zard's are interesting but not cool enough)

Frame mods for the 2nd are in the cards if required.  It's like the tailchop frame modification I did on the "Black Fog" S4 Monster -- I'll do whatever it takes to make it look perfect.  Every Monster that I've seen since looks strange in comparison with the tubes sticking outside the taillight and the kink in the frame itself.

I know this isn't a picture thread, but these are probably my two favorite modded Sports:

(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z53/b_upton/007.jpg)
(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z53/b_upton/012.jpg)

(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z53/b_upton/ducatipics002.jpg)
(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z53/b_upton/ducatipics007.jpg)

And then this one thrown in for good measure...

(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z53/b_upton/Sportrechtsbis.jpg)
(http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z53/b_upton/SPortlinksvoorzij.jpg)

I'm a big fan of the 2 into 1 systems.    [evil]

Make it look like this:

(http://www.desmotimes.com/Images/Sport_Classic_1000/sport_classic_1000_1.jpg) 

;D

That exhaust is pure sex!  [evil]  Hey that's my bike!!   ;D

Now..... what if you shoe-horned a Ducati SBK motor in one of these- complete with full cosmetic blackout treatment...

i would make the tail more like this and the fender plate:
(http://thekneeslider.com/images/cb750cafe2.jpg)
i like this tank.
(http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Custom%20Bikes/Ace%20Cafe%20Racer%20%202.jpg)
i would keep the exhaust a bit traditional, I am not a fan of the boom-tube, and the Zard, i think is too distracting to the presence of the bike(the Zard's do sound great though).
(http://www.knucklebusterinc.com/features/wp-content/2008/05/1972NortonCommando_Cafe_02.jpg)

other stuff:
Polished Aluminum tank and cowl look, not chrome, perhaps some pin-striping to define the tank lines
find a new location for the battery.
keep wire spokes
dual shocks
old school paint (single stage or satin finish)
Wrap exhaust (white thermal wrap)
Clean up tail lights, keep round traditional lights
Clean front light clusters

this is fun, which model can we do next?

RB

A lot of posters hit on my main problem with the Sport Classics.  The tank is way to fat which destroys the lean look of the original 70's bikes.  I would love to see it only slightly wider than the frame.  The seat will also need to be narrowed to match the narrowed tank.

The other problem with new Classics is they have the modern ass in the air look.  By reshaping the tank and shaving the rear of the seat you could give the bike a more retro, flat line without messing with the suspension.

The frame and bodywork color matched would be cool.  Blacked-out forks look tough and you don't see them on Sports Classics.  If you are going for a retro look don't use LED taillights.  Make the oil cooler black like on the Hypermotard.  If you want to go with larger brakes and still retain spoked wheels you may have to use Alpinas.  Here is my lame photo-shop of version of what I'm trying to say.  Shaved & lowered the rear of the gas tank and seat:
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/Sport1000Sa_temp2.jpg?t=1230851037)

An intergrated taillight like this would be cool.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/860GT_75Cafe4.jpg?t=1230852296)

This picture really shows how bloated the current tank looks. 
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/Sport1000_Yellow_BlkSpokedRims3.jpg?t=1230854132)

Another option would be to go with a handmade aluminum body work like this bike by Loudbike.  The exhaust on this one would look tough on the modern Sport Classic.  A cermanic coating along with some heat shields might be able to keep the rider's legs from burning.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/LoudBike2.jpg?t=1230854597)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/LoudBike3.jpg?t=1230854634)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/LoudBike4.jpg?t=1230854685)

One more possibility.  Cafe Guzzi's always look good with red frames and aluminum bodywork.  Perhaps this look could translate to the Sport Classic
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/CafeGuzzi_Girl1.jpg?t=1230854963)
(http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj85/PARTB/Zagato_EwanOB1_PARTBCOUK.jpg)

That is one of the worst looking tails on a bike. 

DAMMIT!!  Must......obtain......vintage.......Cromo. 

I wonder if now would be a good time to pull a second mortgage on my house??

Do you have pictures of?  Sounds interesting.

NCR/Zard have an exhaust that looks similar (it's on the New Blue) and is all Ti.   [evil]

I'm not sure, but I think this is a 73 or 74 Sport.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm21/JonTravisKing/Misc/Motofest34_Ducati750Sport.jpg?t=1230941821)

Did the 1972 prototype 750 Sport yellow/black paint scheme look like this?
(http://www.bevelheaven.com/bikes4sale/1972-sport/images/043.jpg)

  1. I would relocate the battery in the tailsection.

 2.  Integrate the taillight and turnsignal into said tailsection.

 3. From the side of an SC there is another box  in front of the battery that would need to be relocated.

 4. On most cafe bikes , it seems that the tank flows into the seat which then flows into the tail, along
     a horizontal line. Look at the alloy bodied bike above.

 5. Hide ,reroute ,all wires and hoses.

 6. Probably cut down the tank if possible.

 Also , some kind of loud, chrome exhaust, preferably megaphone, no db killers