| BIKE: | 1997 748 |
| OWNER: | Kenny Dreer |
| LOCATION: | Oregon |
| MILEAGE: | 16,437 |
| ENGINE: | 853cc Motor: Stock 748 crankcases Falicon Super Crank/ steel rods Pistoli 94mm piston set 916 cylinders/ squish correctly set to 1mm 748 Heads modified and ported by Bruce Meyers/ BCM Ducati Stock size valves Stock A1 cams Camshaft lobe centers changed to 114.5 and 116 STM alloy vernier cam sprockets 50mm Throttle bodies matched and flowed to heads Fairing inlets optimized for increased air flow Mid pipe converted to straight thru 2.5" perforated tube in Termi exhaust 94mm bore x 61.5 stroke = 853cc Bike was sent to Doug Lofgren for custom mapping, rev limit 11,000 RPM (see comment by Mark Hoyer) Transmission and Clutch: Stock close ratio 748 Sure Flex slipper clutch Quick detachable rear sprocket Gearing 15x41 or 14x41 |
| CHASSIS: | Suspension: Ohlins R&T front end Ohlins rear shock Ohlins steering damper Wheels and Brakes: BST Carbon Fiber wheels front and rear Brake Tech cast iron rotors on alloy carriers 4 pad Brembo calipers Brembo Radial master cylinders, front brake and clutch Summer tires-Pilot Powers front and rear Winter tires-Michelin rain tires |
| OTHER: | Carbon Fiber and cycle parts: Casoli vented CF front fender Front air dam/ oil cooler Air runners Air box Belt covers Dash board w/ built in shift lights Heel guards Tank guard Rear fender/ hugger Chain guard Exhaust heat shield Arrow "gun metal" rear sets Technosel seat Gia Ca Moto frame plugs Blue Silicone hose Speed Moto Frame sliders Rear tail rack-1964 Triumph Electricals: Original battery was replaced w/ 7 amp battery now located under seat Regulator/ Rectifier was moved to head light bracket between top and bottom steering crowns with custom fabricated bracket Starter relays were moved into engine bay under throttle bodies Casoli Moto yellow face gauges LED tail light hidden just below seat, only visible when tail light and brake light are activated Halogen turn signals- rear signals on custom fabricated license plate holder BMW plug in for heated vest Heated grips "Deer Alert" mounted on RH caliper hanger Info center on handlebar: time/lap timer-voltage gauge-ambient temps Paint and Pin Striping: Chevrolet Rallye Black w/ Gloss white—Ted McGalliard @ Europa Auto Body, Portland, OR Pin Striping—Mitch Kim, Portland, OR |
| SIGNIFICANCE: | This Ducati 853 Superbike entered is the 3rd makeover of the bike I originally purchased in Sept of 2003. Its original configuration when I purchased the bike was a yellow Ducati 748 monoposto converted to an 853 motor combination. My motorcycle senses were overwhelmed when I first received the bike and when I rode it for the first time I felt that I had surely entered Ducati heaven. I had built several high performance Bevel Drives and was duly impressed, but this was the real deal. During the winter of '03, I decided it was time for maintenance and a looksee. A week later I had the entire motorcycle (frame and motor) disassembled over 2 full size work benches and set about to building a "blue printed" 853 this time. Several phone calls to specialists in the field gave me the info that I needed to proceed. Select components were sent off and the rest I entailed to do myself. The end result of this 2nd rendition was a motorcycle that ran spectacularly. I retained the stock fairing, although the paint was more American 50's "Hot Rod" than anything envisioned by Ducati. During a visit by Mark Hoyer of Cycle World, I gave him the keys and told him I would catch up with him, when I did, he said to me, "Dude, what did you do to this motor!" He was more than impressed by the 853. The bike was featured in Cycle World's American Flyers. I have always been a fan of the original 916. To me it is iconic, one of those "gotta have in this lifetime" sort of things; a motorcycle that redefined the term "Superbike" both in terms of sheer performance, its 4 valve desmo technology and without doubt, its stunning appearance. My bike, as satisfying as it is to ride still was more race track bike than street bike, and the street is where I wanted to ride this bike. Not wanting a Ducati Monster (my wife has one), and not wanting to give up the spectacular visuals that I get from the Tamburini design, I redesigned the bike you see pictured here. I modified a stock top triple clamp to accommodate a very special set of "street" bend tapered bars from an Italian motorcycle supplier. I then calculated how much front fairing would have to be cut in order to accommodate the bar swing. I kept the same line as the original, so the look of the distinctive 916/748 front nose remains intact. The motor itself is a styling element and for me to have it exposed is another opportunity to enhance the entire motorcycle. The result is a motorcycle that delivers in abundance; performance, handling, all day ergonomics and then some, and most important, it still retains the now classic 916/748 Ducati Super Bike essence. |
If you have any questions, please contact superbikeconcorso@ducatiusa.com
Home - Online Round - Final Round
Copyright © 2010 Ducati North America. All rights reserved.