Night Storm Race-RR: Ducati Scrambler 1100

Gasoline Motor Co. builds a dark ‘n stormy Ducati…

The Ducati Scrambler 1100 is the alpha wolf of the company’s Scrambler series, featuring an air/oiled-cooled 1079cc desmodue engine that produces 86 horsepower and 65 foot-pounds of torque. The engine is derived from the one in the Monster 1100 EVO, but was redesigned with dual spark plugs, a single throttle body, and more.

“The perfect primary balance of a large-displacement 90-degree Ducati twin is one of motorcycling’s great sensations. If you’ve never ridden one, there’s something almost organic feeling about the way the engine configuration translates reciprocating motion into visceral presence. The 1100 feels like a Ducati.” —Cycle World

The 1100 also boasts a substantial electronics package, including four levels of traction control, three riding modes (Active/Journey/City), and Bosch cornering ABS. With larger dimensions, plenty of aluminum highlights, and only 3-5 plastic parts on the whole bike, it’s clear what Ducati had in mind with the 1100:

“The Olympus of the Scrambler world.”

Enter our friends at Gasoline Motor Co., who offer custom commissioned builds, workshop services, and an arsenal of parts out of their warehouse in Sydney, Australia:

“Through two wheels, thoughtful process, and tiny welds, we’ve found a way to make work like play… Our purpose is to create the difference between living and feeling alive.”

We last saw them when we featured their Triumph Bonneville Scrambler. Now the team is back with this custom Ducati Scrambler 1100 cafe racer, nicknamed the “Night Storm Race-RR” — a new style and approach for the workshop. Says Jason Leppa:

“We’re evidently crazy about the result as it is a very fresh direction for us, and we hope you will be too.”

The bike has been modified into a “minimal modern street racer,” intended to perfect the detail of the OEM machine, tailoring it to the individual rider/owner rather than to create a wild custom. Says the crew:

“With Gasoline Motor Co. customs, the serious fabrication work is never done to be outlandish or even noticeable at all.”

The tail unit was built from scratch, housing a slim aluminum seat pan with a foam and rubberized seat. The whole unit can be swapped back to the original bench seat to carry a pillion passenger when necessary.

“Although slim, the seat is a super comfy, and the length of the seat pan was considered to suit the height of the owner.”

The under-tail exhaust was inspired by that of the Ducati 999R and hand-built from 2-inch stainless tube.

“Often the star of many builds, the exhaust was completely hidden in this case. A strong point of difference that keeps your mind wandering when you initially see the bike. It’s like, wait, where is the exhaust?! It also keeps the vicious persona of the bike a secret until it motors past you in the street.”

The team fabricated a headlight shroud with Kellermann Atto turn signals that all but disappear when not in use. The small fairing is intricately detailed with patterns and colors:

“It sets a precedent against the hundreds of 2-dimension retro colour block paint schemes we’ve seen and not remembered.”

The same goes for the paintwork on the rest of the bike — a highly layered array of satin, gloss, matte, glitter, metallic, gradient, and patterned elements:

“At times it appears chaotic, but the overall theme is fluid and reminiscent of an angry night sky. The lines add an aggressive sports bike sensibility to an otherwise retro styled machine.”

For the license plate and underlying bracket, they wanted to make things as unobtrusive as possible, opting for the aid of Johnny Japan Kansai Fabrication and a rear wheel floating bracket.

The handlebars are tipped with a pair of discreet Motogadget glassless mirrors, and they relocated the off-center OEM speedometer to center of the triple clamp and risers. Says Jason Leppa: