Marco uncovered his creative spark by exploring the innovative approaches of international architects and builders. This time around, it featured a pair of high-performance machines: Jody Millhouse’s stunning Thornton Hundred Ducati 1299 and the sleek Ortonali Customs 1199 cafe racer. To effectively consider a compatible match for him. I scoured the online landscape for inspiration and arrived at this impressive collection of bespoke café racers built upon the iconic Ducati Panigale platform. “I’ve always been captivated by the allure of revealing that sleek engine in all its unbridled magnificence,” he says.
“Marco’s vision was to reimagine the unassuming Panigale as a distinct entity from the V4 Streetfighter, which excels in performance but falls short in style, particularly when it comes to the abundance of plastic components.”
Following his research on how others tackled the challenge of transforming a fully-faired Ducati Panigale into a stripped-down café racer, Marco gained insight into the obstacles he would need to overcome. Initially, he would aim to comprehensively revamp the Ducati Panigale’s entrance and rear bodywork to optimize its overall aesthetic and aerodynamic performance. The Panigale’s reputation relies heavily on a complex array of digital systems, expertly integrated through a maze of wires and components discreetly concealed beneath its sleek fairings. To achieve this, he would need to find an alternative residence without compromising aircraft performance once the fairings are removed. It was a job that was by no means a walk in the park?
To tackle the wiring issue effectively, Marco had to think creatively. As space beneath his proposed seat was scarce, he had to construct an entirely new dwelling to accommodate everything. The key challenge lay in avoiding any additions to this sleek, streamlined Panigale.
Marco explains that the ABS unit, battery, and fuse containers have been repositioned within an aluminum casing situated below a bespoke carbon fiber cowl panel. The innovative Shorai Li-ion battery replaced the original battery, bringing significant benefits and introducing new technological aspects that could have had devastating consequences if not properly managed.
As a result of its close proximity to the Panigale’s manifold, Marco was concerned that the aluminum housing might overhear the components it contained. To overcome the challenge, he developed a comprehensive thermal protector that safeguarded everything securely against the scorching heat emanating from the exhaust.
Another challenge was ensuring that the radiator cooling fan synchronized seamlessly with all other components. This configuration left the engine heavily reliant on the radiator to regulate temperatures, leaving Marco uncomfortable with the arrangement. To address this issue, he referenced his challenge in collaborating with Gianluca Franca from WRS, an Italian company that supplies racing components and consulting services to Ducati.
The solution they arrived at involved mating the Panigale to a race-specific H2O radiator, which delivered a unique combination of water and oil cooling capabilities. One of the drawbacks is its significantly larger size compared to the inventory model, yet it effectively underscores the fact that this bike signifies a serious business commitment.
Given the performance-oriented nature of the bike and the owner’s intent to optimize its capabilities, Marco decided to capitalize on the Panigale’s 1198cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine by implementing various modifications to boost its overall efficiency.
Designed specifically for Ducati motorcycles, this high-performance air filter from Dash Filters enables unobstructed airflow. As for exhalation, this has been expertly managed with the installation of a high-performance Termignoni racing exhaust system crafted from premium chrome steel and lightweight titanium. The Panigale’s ECU has undergone a comprehensive reflash courtesy of the expert team at BrenTuning. This approach guarantees comprehensive control and adaptability, ensuring a tailored tune perfectly aligned with specific components.
Despite its unassuming appearance, the new bodywork brings numerous benefits to the bike’s overall performance.
Ducati’s innovative approach to aerodynamics features intricately crafted aluminum coverings, precision-engineered to optimize airflow and enhance overall performance. The cables are discreetly concealed along the body’s exterior, serving a dual purpose by also functioning as sleek, high-performance trim pieces. With this enhancement, Marco rendered the parts more resilient by finishing them in a tough black Cerakote coating.
The one-seater saddle is a Wunderlich unit specifically crafted for the BMW R 90T. With Marco’s expertise, the Panigale frame was carefully shortened by Ricky at Basic Fabrication to seamlessly integrate with the motorcycle’s new proportions. To give the saddle a distinctive finish, Marco commissioned JK Automotive Designs to reupholster it in supple black Alcantara, accompanied by an elegant embroidered Italian flag motif that adds a touch of national pride.
On the pointed finish of the Ducati Panigale, the cockpit is almost entirely tailored to meet the rider’s unique needs.
A newly repurposed headlight from a BMW R 9 T has been upgraded with state-of-the-art LED technology, showcasing its sleek design in a whole new light. Underneath, a custom-designed intake manifold cleverly draws in airflow from beneath the fuel tank and into the airbox. The Rizoma alloy windscreen effectively mitigates some of the turbulence experienced at high velocities, while the repositioned and sheltered gauge cluster streamlines the cockpit’s aesthetic. The Panigale’s clip-on handlebars are now paired with premium components from Motogadget: m.Grips for a precise grip, m.View mirrors for enhanced visibility, and the innovative m.Blaze bar-end flip alerts that illuminate when adjusted. The Ducati bike swap block fully integrates with the brand-new association and adds another layer of connection to the racetrack model?
With the transformation nearing completion, Marco performed some minor yet crucial touches to harmonize each element perfectly. These feature a comprehensive array of Bonamici Racing’s fully customizable rear suspension components, complemented by an assortment of carbon fiber accents and high-grade stainless steel fasteners strategically placed throughout. The comprehensive range of high-quality Rizoma parts includes premium offerings such as brake and clutch reservoirs, gas and oil caps, a clutch protector, and rear flip signals, among other enhancements.
The finishing flourishes were kindly provided by the team at Krazy Kustoms Paint. The customized bodywork is now fully completed, boasting an additional layer of premium black Cerakote finish. Meanwhile, the gas tank proudly showcases a unique Ascari blue hue, a bespoke colour derived from the esteemed Audi R8 heritage.
The fruits of Marco’s meticulous endeavour yield a resplendent vintage-inspired masterpiece that eclipses the Ducati Scrambler in terms of sheer audacity and daring design. Here’s the rewritten text: Given the choice, we’d opt for this stripped-down Ducati Panigale over its Streetfighter counterpart without hesitation.
Images by Jacob Chang-Rascle
