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Monster Tracker: Speedtractor’s Ducati M900

Tracker-style Ducati M900 Monster by Speedtractor of Tokyo
Just over a year ago, Speedtractor boss Matthew Roberts was tapped on the shoulder to become the head wrench for the Japanese outpost of a certain global custom brand.

We were big fans of Speedtractor’s off-kilter builds, and sadly assumed we’d see no more. But amazingly, the man finds the energy to wear two hats. And the proof is right here, with this razor-sharp custom Ducati M900 Monster.

Tracker-style Ducati M900 Monster by Speedtractor of Tokyo
It’s a one-of-a-kind bike with a unusual pseudo-military vibe. “The client was looking for something unique and something Ducati,” Matthew tells us. “A blend of scrambler and tracker elements, with a bit of a retro nod, but more timeless in design and execution than Ducati’s current models.”

The original plan was to lightly modify a new Scrambler Ducati. But as the discovery phase progressed, Speedtractor realized that not many of the Scrambler’s attributes were on the client’s ‘must keep’ list. A growing desire for a truly bespoke machine began to emerge.

Tracker-style Ducati M900 Monster by Speedtractor of Tokyo
“We’ve nothing against Ducati’s recent offerings,” explains Matthew. “But we felt there’s was a good reason to explore the design potential of the early Monster M900.”

“The L-twin lump and the deep ‘V’ of the trellis frame are a sound basis to work from. And when it’s stripped of its tank and panels, it’s close to a blank moto-canvas.”

Tracker-style Ducati M900 Monster by Speedtractor of Tokyo
Speedtractor pulled no punches with the Monster, replacing all of the bodywork with a monocoque unit inspired by the angles of the frame tubes. The new setup is made from a carbon fiber, woven glass and epoxy composite, and varies in thickness according to areas of stress concentration.

Hiding under the eye-catching bodywork is the fuel cell, air filter, a Shorai LiFe battery, and all the electrics. The seat’s been covered in Alcantara, and now sits 80mm higher than stock. It’s been angled a little forward too, to keep the rider planted under acceleration.

Tracker-style Ducati M900 Monster by Speedtractor of Tokyo

The tail section’s been braced with a hefty steel subframe, allowing it to double up as a luggage rack. Tucked into the back is a one-off LED taillight and turn signal combo. Speedtractor also added threaded mounts into the ends of the frame rails, to function as multi-use attachment points.

Preferring spoked wheels over alloy numbers—but wanting to keep it in the family—Matthew shoehorned in a set of meaty Ducati Paul Smart wheels. Brembo four-pot brake calipers were then carefully massaged to make sure they cleared the spokes.

Tracker-style Ducati M900 Monster by Speedtractor of Tokyo
Other chassis upgrades include adjustable 41mm Showa forks from a Ducati 900SS, and an Öhlins shock out back. There are carbon fiber fenders at both ends, and the alloy side covers on each side of the seat are removable.

We’re suckers for a well thought-out cockpit, and this one’s pretty special. The owner requested “a simple and uncluttered cockpit, with a factory feel and just a nod to the past.” So Speedtractor fabricated a new alloy top bridge, which now houses a classically styled Daytona speedo—plus all of the ‘idiot’ lights.

Tracker-style Ducati M900 Monster by Speedtractor of Tokyo
Rounding out the setup are low-rise tracker bars, a quick action throttle and an alloy surround for the ignition key. A small alloy fly screen—integrated into the headlight shell—holds it all together visually. The front turn signals are a pair of experimental (“hopefully legal”) LEDs, mounted in the headlight reflector itself.

Items like the stock brake and clutch master cylinders were left alone. “They work,” says Matthew, “and when budgets come knocking, we focused resources on the high impact elements.”

Tracker-style Ducati M900 Monster by Speedtractor of Tokyo
To finish off the Monster, Speedtractor liberated the frame of any unneeded tabs, before treating everything to a green and white livery, with dark grey striping. A little clear anodizing in all the right places helped cap things off.

Of course, the project wasn’t without its snags. Partway through, the bike’s destination changed from Tokyo to Europe. So Matthew had to retrofit all the necessary Euro 3 equipment. “It was doable,” he says, “but a tight squeeze!”

Tracker-style Ducati M900 Monster by Speedtractor of Tokyo
The change clearly didn’t hamper him in any way—this Monster rides the line between edgy and timeless, yet it’s still utterly capable of functioning as a daily rider. Good to see the Speedtractor flag still flying high.

Speedtractor website | Facebook | Instagram | Speedtractor on How to Build a Scrambler

Credits: Saddle suede work by Miauchi-san, mean green application by Nakata-san, moving pictures by William Greenawalt

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Custom Bikes of the Week

The best custom motorcycles of the week
A radical Le Mans from Auto Fabrica, the most stylish Yamaha XT660r we’ve ever seen, and an Indian Scout ready to race down the Bonneville Salt Flats. It’s been a bumper week.

Auto Fabrica Type 9 custom Moto Guzzi
Auto Fabrica Type 9 The lads at Auto Fabrica, Bujar and Gaz, have built one of the most impressive resumés in the custom scene to date. They’re consistent in their execution of exacting design, regardless of whether they’re transforming a Yamaha XS650, accentuating a BMW R80 or creating one of the most stunning Moto Guzzi Le Mans I’ve seen to date.

It’s the tailpiece of Type 9 that draws my eye first. In an industry famed for its insistence on a rear loop, Auto Fabrica’s spoiler-type rear is a breath of fresh aesthetic air. It’s fabricated from 2mm aluminum that has been doubled, shaped and rolled. Underneath are aluminum fins flanking the taillight, mirroring the cooling fins on the 850cc engine.

The tank was fabricated in-house and shaped on an English wheel—the smooth curves play off the sweeping exhaust perfectly. The purposeful voids showcasing the engine hint at a ride that is both refined and aggressive. [More]

Speedtractor's Kraftwerks XJR
Speedtractor’s Kraftwerks XJR Matt Roberts and the Tokyo-based Speedtractor crew have been building bikes since 2010. At first the intent was purely selfish—they built bikes for themselves only. But this quickly led to crafting rides for family and friends, and by 2013, they were taking orders for a growing client list.

‘Kraftwerks XJR’ is a self-described ‘bruiser’ of a machine that highlights the burgeoning abilities of the workshop. The tank is a vintage Ducati unit pulled from a personal collection, and then reworked to fit the Yamaha’s frame perfectly.

It’s the herringbone-patterned seat and the top yoke that are the main design touches, though. The seat hugs the rear loop sublimely and the stitch pattern is exquisite. (It scores extra points for having some actual padding, too, which goes to show comfort and style can co-exist.) The top yoke is a bespoke unit, crafted from alloy to seamlessly house the Motoscope Pro cluster that mimics the tanks folds flawlessly. [More]

Ellaspede Yamaha XT660r
Ellaspede Yamaha XT660r Hulking machines that promise the ability to go everywhere dominate the adventure bike market. And many require a 4-man crew to get them righted if a rider missteps. A smaller, lighter model would be a superior choice for most would-be Charlie Boormans out there—like this fully kitted Yamaha XT660r, from Ellaspede of Brisbane, Australia.

The client directive was to create an urban adventure bike: a motorcycle that would look and perform on rides to cafes, as well as 2700km trips across the Nullarbor Plain. To that end Ellaspede set to work crafting the no-nonsense belly pan, radiator shroud, swingarm panels and headlight shroud. There’s also a larger capacity tank, to help connect distant dots. The front tire was changed down a couple of inches to a 19-inch hoop, to lower the stance and enhance commuter duties. But the TKC80s it rides on are ready for anything. [More]

DuongDoan's Design Suzuki GN250
DuongDoan’s Design Suzuki GN250 This tidy little scrambler comes to us from Hanoi, Vietnam. DuongDoan’s is putting together a solid string of builds with a signature, fat-tired style worth keeping an eye on.

A Suzuki GN250 is the base for this build, but the frame has been heavily modified to accommodate the custom air-box and 1-into-2 bespoke exhaust. The tiny 4-valve thumper remains a stressed member, and although a sump guard would be a good idea for serious scrambling, the proportions of this bike exude character and fun. The requisite beak, fat bars and beefy headlight shroud give a rugged appearance— accentuated even more by the stubby but plush seat and the chunky rubber.

The positioning of the pegs has me wondering if comfort is best in a seated or standing position, but I bet it would be a blast to find out. [More]

Indian Black Bullet Scout
Indian Black Bullet Scout The revived Indian Scout is by all accounts a phenomenal bike. It’s got a refined chassis, a competent 100hp V-Twin, and braking and suspension components that exceed expectations—a package that needs no improvement. But motorcycles aren’t always about ‘needs’ though, are they?

This Black Bullet Scout is the product of Jeb Scolman, the same craftsman that delivered The Spirit of Munro. It’s not a focused salt flat racer, but the Black Bullet looks like it’s moving at Mach III even when parked. The flowing lines of the headlight shroud continue beautifully through the stretched-teardrop tank and rigid rear end. Everything is hand made and every component is metal. The whole package would appear slippery were it not for that hulking, industrial 1,133cc powerplant in full display.

Indian will be showing Scolman’s Black Bullet at Sturgis in 2016, and they’ve said it will also get a run at Bonneville—which is exactly why Scolman built it with a rigid frame. In a word, it’s awesome. [More]