One-Off Ducati Monster Cafe Racer Is Minimalistic Two-Wheeled Artwork Done Right

1 month, 2 weeks ago - 27 August 2024, autoevolution
Ducati Monster Cafe Racer
Ducati Monster Cafe Racer
Not all custom Monsters are made equal, and some specimens proudly stand head and shoulders above the rest. Most builders will throw on a new seat, exhaust, and perhaps some cool aftermarket accessories, before tackling the paint job and calling it a day. On the other hand, there are those who really take the time to make their projects stand out, and Matteo Massaro is one such individual.

He runs Overdrive Customs over in Venice, Italy, which is where this mouth-watering Ducati Monster went from stock to bespoke. Matteo started with a model from the year 2000, aiming to turn it into a monochromatic cafe racer fit for an art gallery. Caffeinated Monsters are by no means uncommon, but this particular specimen is a lot cooler than most in several ways.

The project didn’t come as a commission, as our protagonist had owned the trusty Duc since 2003 and could never bring himself to let it go. When the time came for a custom makeover, the bike went on the workbench and its stock subframe was promptly amputated. Then, Matteo created a custom alternative from scratch, with the upper tubing reaching far ahead to achieve a level bone line.

Overdrive’s mastermind tweaked the main trellis framework, as well, before placing the repurposed fuel tank of a Ducati 916 up top. All the electronics are stashed beneath the tank, and the motorcycle’s rear section is home to a small tail unit fabricated in-house. The saddle is a plain and simple affair, only consisting of some dense foam padding with a central cut-out.

Lower down, Matteo installed the single-sided swingarm of a Ducati Hypermotard and a 916’s three-spoke Brembo hoop. Both wheels were wrapped in race-spec Michelin rubber, while the rear brake got upgraded with a wave-style aftermarket rotor. A carbon fiber wheel hugger is also present at the back, close to a pair of billet aluminum rearsets that complement the cockpit paraphernalia.

Interestingly enough, the project’s author hasn’t chosen clip-ons for this machine, instead opting for a flat handlebar with minimalistic controls. There is a tiny aftermarket dial mounted a bit further ahead, right above an LED headlight placed on tailor-made brackets. The front and rear suspension is still stock, but it has benefited from a revitalizing makeover just like the brakes and engine.

As you would expect, some fresh breathing equipment was on the menu, too. The exhaust gases are now routed through custom heat-wrapped pipework ending in an Ixil muffler on the right. In terms of paintwork, Overdrive Customs’ one-off stunner employs a mixture of gloss-black and silver, with the latter hue taken straight from the Mercedes AMG color palette. Black was used in most places besides the bodywork, including the frame, wheels, and forks. 

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