Editor’s Note: This post was written by the team at Untitled Motorcycles. We like to publish the story of a custom build in the words of the builders when we can – to give you a direct look into their process.
The HyperScrambler will be offered as a Limited Edition in a series of different Ducati-heritage colours and finishes – to read more or place an order you can click here.
Hugo Eccles, owner of Untitled Motorcycles in San Francisco (UMC-SF), was contacted by Jim MacLaughlin of Marin Speed Shop in the lead up to the Worldwide Ducati Dealer ‘Custom Rumble’ build-off with an offer to build a limited edition Ducati that would stun everyone in the room when it was unveiled.
The HyperScrambler is the result of this project – and it’s certainly safe to say that it’s a jaw-dropper.
Eccles started by sourcing a Ducati Monster S2R swingarm which, with its tubular structure, better matches the Scrambler’s trellis frame. “I’d originally intended to use a Sport Classic Mono swing arm but it was impossible to source in time”. Having installed the new swingarm a new subframe, to accommodate the S2R monoshock and a new seat design, was fabricated by Turk’s Shop, a local fabricator.
“I love Ducati’s signature trellis frame on the Scrambler and wanted to celebrate it”. An UMC-designed custom petrol tank that echoes the lines and angles of the frame resulted in a tapered shape which became the overall direction for the build: “the seat, tank and headlight are all part of one single tapered form”. The slim new design also suggested a more pared-down flattrack- and supermoto-inspired style which Eccles felt was “compatible with the Scrambler’s DNA”.
From that point onwards, the build was geared towards stripping and removing all extraneous details and components, including numerous plastic panels. The result is a bike that, at 325lbs, is 85lbs lighter than the original. “We’ve created an 800cc motorcycle that weighs less than a Vespa: performance is ‘lively'” says Eccles.
Visually, the new UMC Scrambler design consists of three core elements: engine, frame, and body: The engine and other mechanical parts have been stripped to bare metal and vapour blasted to celebrate their raw mechanical nature. The frame has been painted in ‘Rosso Corsa’, a neon orange colour that Ducati uses for their Moto GP race bikes, to showcase the characteristic trellis frame and swingarm. The nickel-sided petrol tank is a nod to the 1968 original while the bodywork has been painted in a solid grey to match the slim motocross-inspired grip vinyl seat.
Eccles is the first to admit that this build is somewhat out of character for Untitled Motorcycles. “It’s a competition build so we set out to do something intentionally provocative. Although this bike is road legal, the next road-going versions will be designed and detailed differently”.
Technical Specifications:
Frame, Suspension, Wheels
– Original main frame, de-tabbed and original shock mount removed.
– Ducati Monster S2R swingarm, Ohlins monoshock.
– Custom UMC subframe with welded-in LED channels, fabricated by Turk’s Shop
– Ducati ‘Rosso Corsa’ neon orange race paint by Motojrefinish.
– Original 18″ front wheel replaced with Ducati Monster M796 17″ front wheel.
– Original 17″ rear wheel replaced with Ducati Monster 1100 17″ rear wheel.
– Continental RaceAttack Rain tyres (120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear).
– EBC wave brake discs, customised.
– GSXR Showa big piston forks, stripped and custom-anodised to match the frame by Ano-Tech.
– OEM foot pegs and levers, customised by UMC.
– Custom fork guards, designed and fabricated in-house.
Electrics, Lighting
– Rear LED strips, integrated into the rear hoop, act as both brake lights and turn signals (Custom Dynamics).
– Motogadget M-Unit control module and M-Button.
– 1300 lumen LED headlight, modified and machined in-house, mounted to a custom bracket welded to the headstock.
– Antigravity XPS SC-1 lithium battery installed under the custom seat.
– Simplified loom, re-routed and re-wrapped in neon orange fabric tape.
– Original ignition retained and relocated to right hand side of frame, under custom petrol tank.
Controls
– Motogadget motoscope mini speedometer and lights, machined into modified top fork bracket.
– Brembo brake master cylinder with 2-into-2 braided stainless steel lines.
– Brembo clutch master cylinder with braided stainless steel line.
– Custom throttle with braided stainless steel cable.
– Custom levers, with integrated LED turn signals, by HugeMoto.
– Renthal lo-rise handlebar with custom switchgear.
Engine & Exhaust
– Reprogrammed ECU
– Oxygen sensors and air injectors removed.
– Stock plastic airbox removed, Uni snowmobile air filter installed.
– Original Bing throttle body retained, machined to accommodate air temperature sensor.
– Clear high-pressure braided fuel line by Helix Racing.
– Billet oil filler cap and sprocket cover by Slingshot Racing.
– Hydraulic clutch conversion, Ducati clutch slave with braided stainless steel line.
– Ducabike wet clutch cover with polycarbonate observation window, OEM clutch plates machined and finished by UMC.
– Original stator cover machined and modified by Turk’s Shop.
– Rear sprocket changed to 41-tooth to improve top-end speed.
– QD ex-box exhaust and headers, modified by UMC.
Bodywork
– Custom-fabricated 10L steel petrol tank, original fuel pump, nickel plated and painted (range 95 miles, 115 miles on reserve)
– Aluminium headlight housing, brushed and polished in-house, 1300 lumen LED spotlight.
– Aluminum belly pan with mesh front panel and exhaust header cutout detail by Nate Diepenbroek.
– Seat upholstered in motocross grip vinyl by Acker Leather Works.
Special Thanks To: Jim MacLaughlin at Marin Speed Shop – See more of Untitled Motorcycles work here.
All images © RC Rivera 2016
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