Source: Bike Bound
[[{“value”:”Introduced in 1994, the Ducati 916 was destined to be one of the most iconic superbikes ever made. Designed by Massimo Tamburini, the bike featured a 916cc fuel-injected, liquid-cooled desmo V-twin that boasted 105-114 brake horsepower (depending on the year and source), a single-sided swingarm, narrow waist, and undertail exhaust. To many enthusiasts, the 916 was the best superbike there had ever been, a bike nearly as influential as the original GSX-R.
“The 916 changed the way designers styled their bikes, forced the Japanese to flirt with V-twin engines and even arguably created the litre bike class due to its domination of the 750s in WSB, and you can see what a revolutionary machine it was then – and remains today.” –MCN
However, is there’s one department where the 916 didn’t excel, it was comfort. The riding position was ideal for the track but not so good for touring — especially for those getting up in the years or with back, knee, or shoulder issues. Those unforgiving ergonomics were the impetus for the build you see here, a ’95 916 Biposto (dual-seat) from Steve Hillary of the UK’s Redmax Speedshop.
If you have any interest in flat track or street trackers, you probably know the name. Steve has been building and racing custom bikes since the 1980s — mostly Ducatis — but he caught the flat track bug two decades ago and Redmax soon became Europe’s first and only flat track parts specialist…and a shop known to turn out some of the sexiest street trackers on the planet.
Dave, the owner of this 916, had grown uncomfortable on the cramped superbike but didn’t want to give it up. Fortunately, Redmax stepped in to save the day.
“Dave saw our other Ducati Tracker (the white one) and wanted something similar but unique to him. Something he could ride and still keep his beloved 916!”
The bike is now running a billet top yoke with integral risers and a set of Redmax tracker bars for a more upright riding position.
The one-piece alloy seat and side panels is Steve’s favorite part of the build, designed for quick access to the ECU and electrical relays.
The front number board was also built in-house, as were the stainless steel high pipes. With the new exhaust, open airbox, and a performance chip, this Ducati street tracker is now making over 100 horsepower at the rear wheel.
Steve Slight at Joeby’s handled the speedblock-style paint, while Glenn Moger upholstered the seat. Some purists might scoff at “butchering” a 916, but Steve says this superbike was “built sympathetically so it could be returned to standard and restored if need be!”
The bike is a crowd-puller anytime it stops, but the best part is how it moves:
“I love riding this bike, loads of midrange torque, great handling and brakes, and a comfy sitting position means you can ride all day listening to that sound!”
Below is our full and uncut interview with Steve about the build, and thanks go to James Webber for the photos.
Ducati 916 Tracker: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I’m Steve Hillary from Devon in England. Been a motorcycle custom builder since the ’80s, had and raced Ducatis since ’91, even had a main dealer shop and race team in the 2000s but started Redmax Speedshop 20 years ago when we went flattrack racing and realised there was no shop for parts in Europe!
We import flattrack parts from the US and make some in the UK, still the only flattrack parts specialist in Europe. We also still build custom trackers and cafe racers, brit bikes, Harley XR’s, and Ducatis 888/916 series.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
This donor bike is a 916 BP, 1995.
• Why was this bike built?
Bike was a scruffy 916 that the customer, Dave, had sitting around — but found it uncomfortable to ride with clip-ons, etc. Dave saw our other Ducati Tracker (the white one) and wanted something similar but unique to him. Something he could ride and still keep his beloved 916!
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
Design brief was a comfortable useable crowd-puller bike to ride hard around the hills surrounding Portsmouth. It needed to handle, sound good, have good lights, and still be a classy Ducati.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Custom work involved building stainless high pipes, alloy seat and side panels, hidden battery and electrics, side fairing pods, billet top yoke and Redmax tracker bars, digital dash and micro indicators, projector headlamps and alloy front number board.
Top paint by Steve Slight at Joeby’s from Somerset in a Yamaha speedblock style I designed for him.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Bike is called “Redmax Roadrunner.”
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
Power is up to 100hp with pipes, chip, and open air box.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
I love riding this bike, loads of midrange torque, great handling and brakes, and a comfy sitting position means you can ride all day listening to that sound!
The one piece alloy seat and side panel unit is my fave part, took weeks to make and is quickly removed to access the ECU and relays via two dzeus fasteners!
Leather seat by Glenn Moger is beautiful and comfy too!
Follow the Builder
Web: redmaxspeedshop.co.uk | redmax-ducati.co.uk
Social: @redmaxspeedshop | Redmax Speedshop
Paint: Joebysairbrushart.co.uk
Seat: @mogercycles
Photography: @jameswebberphotography
“}]]
