Motorcycle News - Dark art: A stripped-back Ducati 999 from Freeride Motos
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So if it’s that great, why customize it? For Pierre Dhers at Freeride Motos, the answer is simple: it was the best possible donor for this project.
“The project was quickly defined,” says Pierre. “No umpteenth 900 SS cafe racer, but rather a real transformed superbike. Performance, with a nasty look and high-end equipment.”
Aesthetically, Pierre’s first thought was to remove all of the 999’s stock bodywork. But after some back and forth with his client, the call was made to retain some of the original 999 DNA by keeping the OEM fuel tank. As for the rest, Pierre hand-shaped a number of aluminum pieces to re-dress the Ducati.
Out back, Pierre fabricated a new cafe-style tail unit, which sits on a new bolt-on subframe and features an integrated taillight. The leatherwork is particularly noteworthy; Freeride Motos is based in Graulhet, in the southwest of France, which is an industrial town known for its leather. And Pierre wanted to show that off.
The last couple of hand-made parts include a pair of radiator wings and a generous belly pan. It’s not just for show though—Pierre repackaged the Ducati’s wiring, and the belly pan now holds the vital bits along with a lithium-ion battery.
But Pierre did more than just slap on that air box and call it a day. He also painstakingly tacked together a custom stainless steel exhaust system, paying particular attention to the header lengths. Then he handed it over to Armand at Atelier Bam to do the final welding.
Pierre’s also upgraded the Ducati’s running gear to suit. The ‘base’ model 999 didn’t come with the Öhlins suspension of the top-spec 999R, so that was the first thing on the list. On went a set of Öhlins forks from an Aprilia Tuono, held in place by a set of custom-machined yokes
An Öhlins rear shock was installed too, and all the suspension components were stripped and refinished in black and red. The brakes were upgraded with Brembo parts and new hoses, with a custom rear disc made to size. Pierre kept the 999’s stunning Marchesini rims, but had them repainted.
There’s a lot more to take in—from obvious details like the cross-sectioned engine belt covers, to hidden upgrades like a full complement of stainless steel fasteners.
And if you’re a Ducati mega-fan that’s gone into apoplectic shock at the sight of this, relax: the owner has a stock 999 in the garage, too. Freeride Motos Racing | Facebook | Instagram | Images by Kevin Abelard Video by Fabien Goncalves and Kevin Abelard (Love Machines Documentaire) Motorcycles via Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/2Mf9b0c October 28, 2020 at 12:28PM Leave a Reply. |
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10/28/2020
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