Today, we’re thrilled to present “Project Multipass,” a Ducati Multistrada scrambler built by John Goldsberry of Behind Bars Customs. John is the perfect man to build such a machine. At the age of 23, he became the (then) youngest Ducati Master Tech in North America!
He originally bought this 2007 Multistrada as quick flip, but a jaunt around the local supermoto track changed his mind. He was hugely impressed with what “Big Red” could do, and he wanted to test the bike’s limits further. He decided to build the bike for the Super Hooligan class race, and what a machine he’s created — a street-legal monster that can race both TT and flat track.
Super Hooligan Racing Rules
Super Hooligan harks back to the “run-what-you-brung” days of old. As such, the rules are loose: Super Hooligan bikes are street-registerable, 750cc and larger bikes in stock frames with dirt track tires and no front brakes. Putting heavy bikes on a short dirt track makes for some wildly entertaining racing.
As one fan has said:
“The only thing I can compare it to, given I’m from Texas, is a dozen or so Cowboys making the miles to get a haul home. Anything could happen out there. It’s wild.”
Below, we interview John for the full story on this Ducati Super Hooligan.
Project Multipass: In the Builder’s Words
(Answers by John Goldsberry of Behind Bars Customs. Highlights by us.)
Please tell us a bit about yourself and your workshop.
When I was about eight years old my Dad got me an ATC 70 and I have been riding ever since. I started stunt riding when I was sixteen years old, and have also raced a few local motocross races and AMRA desert races. I was always working on my own bikes, but attended Motorcycle Mechanics Institute at age eighteen, and started working at a Ducati dealer shortly after graduation. At age 23, I became the youngest (at the time) certified Ducati Master Technician and Desmosedici certified technician in North America.
I love Ducatis and am heavily influenced by the history of Ducati along with Moto GP, flat-track, and off-road racing. My wife and I currently live in Los Angeles, California with our two rescued pit bulls but we are relocating to San Diego, California in February of 2017. I currently have a small workshop at our house with pretty much everything I need for now and I plan to build a similar set up in San Diego.
Why was the bike built?
I bought the bike, a 2007 Ducati Multistrada 1100S, to flip it. While I had it, I rode it out to a supermoto track to photograph friends. I ended borrowing a race suit and taking it on the track to see what it could do. After backing her into corners, doing wheelies on the straight, and jumping the dirt sections, I saw the potential that was hiding under the big fairings.
I wanted to test the bike’s limits further, so raced a Hell On Wheels MC flat track race. It looked out of place, and the announcers nicknamed the bike “Big Red,” but it ran great! That night, I decided instead of flipping it, I wanted to build the bike for Super Hooligan class races.
What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The design concept behind Project Multipass was both function and aesthetic. I wanted a street legal bike that I could use to race TT and flat track. When I stripped all the fairings I understood the design I wanted. It needed a grungy, Mad Max feel, while still retaining some of that strange Multistrada style. I knew I wanted no fairings, a motocross style front number plate and dirt bars. I wanted people to see that you can take a bike and transform it into anything you want. I also want to make some heads turn and have fun banging bars on the racetrack.
What custom work was done to the bike?
The biggest change to the bike, is that I shortened and strengthened the back section of the frame. The back section was changed for cosmetic reasons and because the exhaust was no longer going to be mounted under the tail section. I hand-formed the front and rear number plates because both were somewhat of a strange design that I wanted.
While jumping the dirt section at the supermoto track, I cracked the front engine mount. Given the lesson learned at the supermoto track, I repaired and strengthened the front engine mount. I fabricated external engine supports so the engine could sustain the abuse of jumping.
I removed all the fairings besides the stock fuel tank, and routed all the wiring including the battery, to under the fuel tank. I also removed all the frame tabs to clean up the lines on the frame. I shortened and modified the exhaust and then wrapped it. I relocated the rear seat latch so the line of the rear seat/seat cowl flows better. I fabricated frame tabs under the tail and mounted a Motobox LED license plate frame, that includes running light, brake light, turn signals, and license plate light all-in-one.
I powder-coated the frame and wheels sun gold. I also powder-coated engine covers and a few other parts gloss black. I then painted the rest semi-gloss black with worn edges to show a gold base layer. The ECU was flashed by Rexxer USA, because I wanted the bike to run no ignition, dash, or O2 sensors. This required wiring a new ignition switch, starter button and switches for the lights, which are all mounted on the sides of the air box. This tucked everything inside the trellis frame nicely. The front brake line was also custom-made for the bar risers and high bend Pro Taper bars.
List of changes made/parts used
Besides the list of custom modifications, we added a few parts for this build. The most noticeable are the Continental TKC 80 tires. When I go to the flat track races I will be using flat track style tires and the bike will be lowered. I installed LED light pods that were added for headlights and they are mounted to the sides of the frame. MotoBox USA sent me one of their license plate frames that has everything you need, all in one frame.
I routed all the wiring under the tank which included the battery. I wanted to run a lighter battery so I used a featherweight lithium battery from WPS. I installed a Hypermotard 1100 oil cooler and lines so I could mount the oil cooler behind the front tire. I used bar risers and Pro Taper Pastrana bend bars for comfort and looks. To keep my hands and levers safe, I got some Acerbis supermoto handguards. These are sporting MOVE OVER (backwards) on the front of the handguards for the wonderful California traffic. I will be adding more aggressive/wider foot pegs, a skid plate and front fork guards in the near future.
Classify the bike
If I had to classify this bike, I would say this would be a cross between a street-tracker and a scrambler. This is my version of a hybrid flat-tracker/street-tracker with an apocalyptic flair.
Was there anything done during the build you are particularly proud of?
I love this entire bike! When you ride it, it just gets even better. It’s big, filled with torque, loud as hell, wheelies all over the place and looks like you just don’t care. I will be more proud of this bike when I win some trophies with her.
Follow the Builder
- Follow Behind Bars Customs: Facebook | Instagram | Web
- Other Links: Pro Italia (Ducati Dealer) and Stand Up for Pits
Any idea from which bike the front end comes?
I *think* those are the stock forks?
Hello Rob,
These are the stock forks as this bike is an S model and comes with awesome Ohlins front and rear suspension. Good question!