Source: Bike Bound
[[{“value”:”Shed-Builder Tony Lloyd’s 10th Ducati Custom Build…
When the Ducati Multistrada 1000 hit the scene in 2003, folks weren’t quite sure what to make of it. “Multistrada” means “Many Roads,” and the bike seemed to be a strange hybrid of a machine intended as a cross between a sport-tourer and an adventure bike. Famed designer Pierre Terblanche was behind the design, which was polarizing to say the least.
However, if you could look past the aesthetics, you’d find a damn fine motorcycle powered by Ducati’s air-cooled, two-valve, dual spark (DS) engine, which made a solid 85 horsepower in first-gen trim.
“Whacky styling masks a truly versatile motorcycle mixed with Italian style…” –MCN
Of course, such an “ugly Duc” makes a fine donor for a custom rebuild, and that’s where UK-based shed-builder Tony Lloyd comes in. Tony has been building bikes since the 1970s:
“Almost all have been orange and silver since 1980; some would say it’s an obsession! I like a build to be as light as possible (a sign of my advancing years!) and that seems to always translate into minimalist.”
Did someone say “Orange and Silver”?
This build began with an ’04 Multistrada 1000DS he picked up as a winter project.
“Some would say it’s Ducati’s ugliest bike as standard. Like many Ducati bikes of this era it was suffering electrical problems with the ECU and LCD clocks failing, and the plastic tank had swelled badly, making it an uneconomical restoration.”
With this being his 10th Ducati build, Tony challenged himself to go with a more radical look than he has in the past, and as always, he custom-made every last thing he could. That would include the rear subframe, complete exhaust, headlight and license plate brackets, speedo housing, bar clamps, and more.
He also swapped out the EFI for a set of flat-side carburetors, something he does on most of his builds:
“While EFI is better in almost every way, I just like the simplicity of carbs!”
He even built a 4-cable throttle system for the flat-slides from scratch — one of his proudest points of the build, along with the custom-built undertail exhaust, which required him to learn CAD. Tony says “Number 10” is a load of fun on the summer roads, and the bike runs even better than he anticipated.
“In reality it outperforms my mate’s standard Multistrada by some margin! Not sure if that’s down to its lighter weight or if it’s got more power…”
Kudos to Tony for resurrecting this poorly-aged Italian thoroughbred from obscurity and giving it a fresh new life in orange and silver. Below is our full interview with Tony for those who want to delve deeper into the details of the project, and you can see more of Tony’s builds at his blog.
Ducati 1000DS Cafe Racer: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I have been building bikes for MANY years… Almost all have been orange and silver since 1980; some would say it’s an obsession! I like a build to be as light as possible (a sign of my advancing years!) and that seems to always translate into minimalist.
Most builds are also converted to carburettors. While EFI is better in almost every way, I just like the simplicity of carbs! I also like to make as much as I can, including the ignition systems, exhausts, and I also do all my own paintwork. The only thing I tend to put out is the seat upholstery. This one is called Number 10, as it’s the 10th Ducati I have built!
• What’s the model of this 2004 Ducati?
The bike started life as a 2004 Multistrada 1000DS, some would say it’s Ducati’s ugliest bike as standard. Like many Ducati bikes of this era it was suffering electrical problems with the ECU and LCD clocks failing, and the plastic tank had swelled badly, making it an uneconomical restoration.
• Why was this bike built?
I retired 14 years ago and have built a bike each winter, and then ride it all summer, to be sold on at a later date… This particular bike was a sort of evolution of two similar bikes I had built in the past, and incorporated ideas I wish I had done in the first place!
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I wanted this build to be as light as possible, naked back end, which meant an underslung exhaust, light wheels, carburettors, and perhaps a more radical and less traditional look than I had gone for in the past.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
When building any bike I ask myself what I can make instead of buy… On this build the following items are custom made: The complete exhaust, the ignition triggers, rear seat subframe, number plate bracket, headlight bracket, speedometer housing, indicators, bar clamps, and many other smaller parts. The bottom of the tank is also modified to accommodate the carb outlet.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride?
I would probably describe this bike in one word…fun! The light wheels, Öhlins suspension, and the Ducati trellis frame all add up to a bike that handles really well. I did expect to lose some performance changing from EFI to carbs — in reality it outperforms my mate’s standard Multistrada by some margin! Not sure if that’s down to its lighter weight or if it’s got more power…
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
Two things… the exhaust and the 4-cable throttle. I had the idea of an underslung exhaust because I wanted a naked back end. Initially I looked at a QD silencer, but they are heavy in weight and have restrictive baffles, so I decided to make one.
I made a model out of builders foam and translated the measurements into a 3D CAD model, which meant I had to learn CAD — a challenge in itself! From this I had the plates laser cut and welded them up. The initial design was a complete failure; the bike ran terribly with it on. This was due to the fact I had the pipes coming into the silencer from opposing sides (what was I thinking!). Mark II had them on the same side and it now runs perfectly and sounds awesome!
Due to the carb configuration using flat slides I wanted a pull to open/pull to close throttle. I had done this in the past using cable splitters but was never happy with it, so I made a 4-cable throttle from scratch.
Full Build Video
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Web: www.jtccc.wordpress.com”}]]
