With a lifelong fascination sparked by hours spent tinkering with classic cars alongside his grandfather, Jaron quickly transformed the Ninja into his own personal project. After personalizing his bike through bolt-on modifications, a devastating accident six months later left his motorcycle inoperable, effectively shelving his riding ambitions.
With his riding skills revived, he rediscovered his passion for cafe racers and embarked on a series of customizations that showcased his enthusiasm. “I’ve owned a diverse array of motorcycles over the years – a 1972 Honda CL350, followed by a 1977 Yamaha XS750, then a 1999 Ducati 750SS, culminating in my current ride, this 2001 Ducati 996.” In his Salt Lake City, Utah, residence storage, Jaron’s crowning achievement awaits – a meticulously crafted Ducati 996 cafe racer that showcases his exceptional skill and dedication.
The spark that ignited the venture stemmed from his fascination with bespoke motorcycles crafted by renowned ateliers such as Debolex, Benjie’s Cafe Racer, and Auto Fabrica, among others. The concept aimed to harmoniously integrate fundamental Ducati design elements with futuristic anime-inspired technological innovations.
Jaron chose the Ducati 996 for its distinctive trellis frame design and the sleekness of its single-sided swingarm, a testament to his passion for the motorcycle. While some purists might frown upon tampering with a pristine Ducati 996, Jaron’s prospective purchase had already been modified by its previous owner, rendering it a fair game for his consideration.
“I acquired the bike from a private seller who planned to modify it into a Scrambler,” he states. The motorcycle, now bereft of its sleek fairings, had its frame brutally shortened, while knobby tyres gripped the road with rugged tenacity. He touted its worthiness at an unbeatable price. Initially planning to swap out my 1999 Ducati 750SS, I changed course after discovering the opportunity to upgrade to a 750, ultimately choosing the 996 as my donor bike.
Before commencing the design process, Jaron employed Photoshop to create digital renderings of his ideas. By examining photographs of the bicycle, he could explore diverse color schemes, bodywork options, and generate a few unique, bespoke half-concept designs that he aimed to bring to life independently. As soon as he was satisfied with the resolution of all outstanding matters, he disassembled his 1996 model and began the rebuild process.
Initially, Jaron designed and fabricated a bespoke subframe, perfectly complementing his envisioned cafe racer-style wasp tail seat unit. Here is the rewritten text:
A unique design element that adds to the custom styling is a bespoke front fender, infused with Jaron’s creative vision of a 1950s British-inspired bicycle and pedestrian-themed cutting-edge aesthetic. The component is secured by brackets designed to mimic the trellis frame’s structure. As soon as each project was completed, the fender and subframe were sent to the powder coaters along with the wheels to receive a fresh coat of paint.
Jaron’s anime-inspired flair will manifest predominantly through his thoughtful choices of lighting, which will undoubtedly pay homage to the genre’s characteristic visual style. Wrapped around the base of the tail unit is a bespoke plexiglass LED tail light inspired by those found on the Aston Martin Vulcan. He’s complemented it with sequential flip indicators, an LED headlight, and integrated LED and Plexiglass warning lights built into the billet prime yoke. A carbon fibre rear fender and chain guard, along with matching machined fluid reservoirs, further enhance the stylish appeal of this 996.
Jaron took the opportunity to expand his skills by attempting to stitch, and his efforts yielded a truly impressive result. The Alcantara seat features intricate, hand-stitched hexagonal patterns. Using my mother’s sewing machine to create this garment. The doubts of others notwithstanding, the reality remained that I had managed to create a sophisticated garment despite my limited sewing experience, having only honed my skills through an eighth-grade course.
Since his trusty 996 was already the fastest bike in his possession, Jaron opted to reserve the efficiency enhancements for the basics, but his approach was distinct from the norm.
To create the Formula One-inspired air scoops for my car’s seat, I utilized Shapr3D to design a precise 3D model, collaborating with my brother to 3D print the components featuring hexagonal consumption screens that perfectly align with the contours of my seat. “I’m quite satisfied with the results and feel privileged to have collaborated with my brother on this project,” he explains. The motorcycle’s exhaust system is uniquely designed, paying homage to the iconic Ducati Superleggera 1299 model. I’d never welded before or used an angle grinder. I narrowly avoided a serious injury to my thumb! Using the most affordable Harbor Freight flux-core welder available, I built this entire bicycle from scratch. One notable exception is the exhaust system, which was expertly crafted by my friend Mitch Witkamp through a meticulous tig welding process. The finished product features chrome steel headers paired with twin SC-Challenge mufflers, strategically situated directly beneath the rear of the vehicle.
While the majority of the project’s complexity was attributed to the mechanical aspects, it was the Ducati’s electrical system that posed the greatest challenge. “For approximately two years, my bike intermittently experienced throttle issues.” The bike’s electrical system is designed with a similar complexity to that of an automobile. The device features a temperature sensor, oil sensor, crankshaft sensor, throttle sensor, and air pressure sensor, accompanied by a sophisticated electronic control unit (ECU). The most challenging aspect of learning with this bike was mastering that one crucial skill, which often left me feeling frustrated and inclined to give up. After meticulous examination, I discovered that the root cause of the issue was a misaligned array of floor wires, a malfunctioning regulator rectifier on its last legs, and a critically damaged electronic control unit.
Amidst the plethora of aftermarket modifications, this 996 cafe racer stands out as a visual masterpiece, its sleek, glossy black finish serving as the perfect backdrop for its eclectic array of upgrades. Here are just a few highlights from the meticulously curated design that defines this exceptional motorcycle: a striking blacked-out radiator adds an air of sophistication, while CNC-machined rear units exude precision engineering; the wavy brake rotors create a sense of dynamic tension, and bar-finish mirrors maintain a sleek, low-profile aesthetic. The motorcycle’s design is a masterful blend of subtlety and menace, making it an absolute thrill to ride.
