Which Ducati as a basis for a cafe racer?

[buzzer]

Over the past few months I have been building a cafe racer out of an old GT500 Suzuki. I have really enjoyed doing the build and although I have a bit to go, it will be ready for the spring.

https://jtccc.wordpress.com/our-motorbikes/suzuki-...


My thoughts have turned to building another when this one is finished and so I am on the lookout for another donor bike. I have this Ducati itch I need to scratch!

What are peoples thoughts as a good basis for a cafe build? I see quite a few for sale at less than £2k, needing cosmetic work or CAT C and D.

which model would be a good basis for a custom build, and which are the cheaper models?

[Chipchap]

Easiest one to start with would be an ST2 as it is aircooled 944cc from memory and already has all the right stuff. You can sell the bodywork etc to raise cash and then make things fit like a different tank, 916 type seat etc to turn it into a bikini faired café racer.

A

[Steve Bass]

900 Super Sport

ST2 is the 916 motor so water cooled.

Any air cooled monster or supersport model would be the place to start

[catso]

ST2 is watercooled, albeit the cylinders are still finned so look aircooled and can get away with a smallish radiator...

[Chipchap]

catso said:

ST2 is watercooled, albeit the cylinders are still finned so look aircooled and can get away with a smallish radiator...

Ok then 900SS or my favourite is the 1000 twin spark.

Avoid wheezy 600SS's/600 Monsters and 750 Dark's as they have non adjustable suspension and single discs from memory.

A

[y2blade]

woowahwoo said:

Panigale R?

Get in the sea

[buzzer]

Thats a good point.... it would HAVE to be air cooled for me...

I guess that narrows it down a bit!

keep the replies coming, thanks guys.

cant believe I Googled Panigale R

[Steve Bass]

y2blade said:

woowahwoo said:

Panigale R?

Get in the sea

Don't laugh....

[catso]

woowahwoo said:

I do like the SS frame, it looks rather nice without its panels and fairing.

The SS frame suits the cafe racer look more than a Monster which looks too modern IMO. As for the engine, the 900 is the pick of the carby (assuming you want old-school?) aircooleds.

[buzzer]

catso said:

woowahwoo said:

I do like the SS frame, it looks rather nice without its panels and fairing.

The SS frame suits the cafe racer look more than a Monster which looks too modern IMO. As for the engine, the 900 is the pick of the carby (assuming you want old-school?) aircooleds.

900 SS looks to be ideal, nice frame... Carbs.... air cooled... and some nice and cheap ones out there.

Plus my wife just said why wait, buy one now if you want to

[roboR]

Someone say Pani?

http://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=...

[Merch131]

This is based on an early belt drive SS900 I think, pretty neat..

[buzzer]

I like this one....

[castex]

SS is too pretty to butcher, or it was before the 'facelift'.

[sjtscott]

You could start with the Ducati cafe race the sport classic. It's virtually pre built and uses the air cooled 1000cc

[bimsb6]

sjtscott said:

You could start with the Ducati cafe race the sport classic. It's virtually pre built and uses the air cooled 1000cc

Hardly one of the cheaper models .

[Mr2Mike]

buzzer said:

900 SS looks to be ideal, nice frame... Carbs.... air cooled... and some nice and cheap ones out there.

Plus my wife just said why wait, buy one now if you want to

There's a 750SS on eBay that might be worth a bid. Has the ugly later "melted" fairings as well, so you wouldn't feel bad about removing them. I agree the SS frame is a much better base for a cafe racer than e.g. ST2 or Monster.

[rodericb]

castex said:

SS is too pretty to butcher, or it was before the 'facelift'.

This all day. They are in their malaise period (except for the superlight and FE) and good ones or resto candidates will get harder to come by. Personally I would go either a Multistrada (first generation) or a ST. There are also tons of old monsters out there too.

[sjtscott]

bimsb6 said:

sjtscott said:

You could start with the Ducati cafe race the sport classic. It's virtually pre built and uses the air cooled 1000cc

Hardly one of the cheaper models .

No but somewhat cheaper than the panigale R suggested up the top lol

[mywifeshusband]

My thoughts would be to go for an early Multistrada. They would also suit the Flat Tracker look if you wanted another idea.







p.s. I'll swap my Multi for the GT500 when it's finished.