Motocicletta Unica: “Ducati Bastardo” from Poland’s Moto Meccanica 2M…
Few marques in the history of motoring inspire passion like Ducati. The motorcycles of the Bologna-based brand just feel alive in a way few machines do, as if blood races through them instead of engine oil. Fully 10% of the company works in the factory racing division, Ducati Corse, and even the company’s non-superbikes seem hungry for track time. No wonder the two-wheeled world is full of Ducatisti.
Our new friend Marcin Mazur of Poland is one such Ducati diehard. His first ride was on a Soviet-era Wierchowina moped at the age of 6, which he rode and rode until it ran out of fuel!
“From then on, a love for combustion engines had taken root in my heart.”
Fast forward to 2016 and Marcin opened his own workshop, Moto Meccanica 2M, specializing in Ducati and other Italian marques.
“The idea for the workshop was born out of a love for this brand, combined with a great deal of enthusiasm and passion.”
Though his workshop mainly focuses on repair and servicing, Marcin has long harbored a deep desire to build a one-of-a-kind Ducati. In fact, he says he spent nearly a decade building the bike in his mind before he turned the first wrench.
“The motorcycle was meant to be different from anything that had been built before, which is certainly not an easy task.”
Here at BikeBound, we’re incredibly fortunate that our daily lives revolve around motorcycles — and not just any bikes, but some of the most interesting, creative, and lustworthy hand-built creations on the planet — and we can safely say we’ve never seen a Ducati quite like this one.
Marcin aptly named the project “Ducati Bastardo” because it’s such a dizzying mix of different Ducati models. The bike has a 2001 Ducati ST4S frame, Hypermotard swingarm, 999 fuel tank and wiring harness, modified 996 race fairing, and the tail section is a Ducati MH900 unit. Then there’s the engine:
“The internals of my old Ducati 996 engine were installed in the crankcases of a Ducati Monster S4RS, and we mounted the cylinder heads from the Ducati ST4S.”
Marcin shaped the transparent timing belt covers himself, and his son Mateuz welded up the exhaust from ~200 separate pieces, capping the system with Zard silencers. Then there’s the livery, which Marcin hand-painted using markers a lá the art cars of Stilbruch Lack Custom Paint.
This is one truly unique Ducati that draws attention wherever it goes, and Marcin credits his son, his wife, and his friend Davidson for supporting the build in their own ways.
As you might imagine, completing the “Bastardo” after nearly 10 years of mental planning has been incredibly gratifying.
“I’m definitely proud of assembling an engine from three different Ducati models that works very well. Virtually every element of this motorcycle brings me joy because it has been personally fitted, custom-made, or painted by me.” -Marcin
Few people have the drive and perseverance to bring their visions to such striking reality, and we’re honored to showcase Marcin’s “Bastardo” and the story behind it. As they say in Poland, brawo!
Ducati ST4 / 996 Custom: Builder Interview
Below is our full interview with the man himself for those who want to read deeper.
1. Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My name is Marcin. My journey with motorcycles began when I was 6 years old, when my father’s friend let me ride a Soviet moped called a “Wierchowina.” I rode it until I ran out of fuel. Since then, a love for combustion engines has taken root in my heart.
I had been unofficially repairing motorcycles for quite some time, but my own workshop was established in 2016. At Moto Meccanica, we specialize in repairing and servicing Italian motorcycle brands, mainly Ducati. The idea for the workshop was born out of a love for this brand, combined with a great deal of enthusiasm and passion.
2. What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
When building the Ducati Bastardo, we based it on the frame of a 2001 Ducati ST4S.
3. Why was this bike built?
Apart from repairing motorcycles, I have always been intrigued by building unique, one-of-a-kind bikes. I spent nearly 10 years mentally arranging every detail of my project. Once everything was in place, I started building it. For me, building a motorcycle is a source of joy and fulfillment.
Of course, I believe that creating an attractive, eye-catching project is also a good advertisement and promotion for our workshop, as well as a demonstration of our skills. We want to show our clients that we are not just theorists, but also practitioners.
4. What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The goal was to create something new and unique. The motorcycle was meant to be different from anything that had been built before, which is certainly not an easy task.
5. What custom work was done to the bike?
The frame was modified to fit the swingarm from a Ducati Hypermotard. The internals of my old Ducati 996 engine were installed in the crankcases of a Ducati Monster S4RS, and we mounted the cylinder heads from the Ducati ST4S.
The fuel tank is from a Ducati 999, and the front racing fairing is from a Ducati 996 with an aftermarket headlight (I made the headlight opening myself using fiberglass and resin). The rear fairing is from the Ducati MH900.
I spent a long time unsuccessfully searching for transparent timing belt covers, so I eventually made them myself. I shaped the windows by bending them over an oak board, where I’d milled holes the size of the timing pulleys.
The wiring harness was adapted from a Ducati 999, and the engine is controlled by a more modern ECU. We also installed an aftermarket Motogadget speedometer.
The entire exhaust system, consisting of about 200 pieces, was welded by my son Mateusz, who works with me at the Moto Meccanica workshop. The motorcycle has an incredible, deep sound thanks to Zard exhaust tips.
I painted the motorcycle by hand using markers, inspired by the American Instagram profile @stilbruch_lack_usa.
6. Does the bike have a nickname?
I named the motorcycle the “Ducati Bastardo” because it is created from several different Ducati models, making it a “bastard” in the sense of being a mix. To make it sound more Italian, I named it “Bastardo” 🙂
7. Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
I currently don’t have that information. The Ducati 996 originally has 112 horsepower, but due to modifications to the engine, exhaust system, and electronics, we expect more 🙂 We’ll find out the exact figure after tuning the motorcycle on the dyno.
8. Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
It’s a lot of fun to see pedestrians admiring you 🙂
9. Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I’m definitely proud of assembling an engine from three different Ducati models that works very well. Virtually every element of this motorcycle brings me joy because it has been personally fitted, custom-made, or painted by me.
10. Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I would like to thank my son, who created the entire exhaust system for me, and my wife, who was very patient and understanding during this time, even when I devoted more time and attention to the motorcycle than to her. I also want to thank my friend Davidson, who bravely helped me with preparations until 4 a.m. before we left for WDW 2024.
More Detail Shots
Follow the Builder
Instagram: @motomeccanica2m
Facebook: Moto Meccanica 2M
Web: motomeccanica2m.pl
Photos: Bartek Zurek
Marcin,one of the finest looking bikes I have ever seen. So many amazing custom features that it’s almost overwhelming. Kudos to you and your son for your outstanding creation. 200 piece exhaust system welded in place. The 2 of you are like the Michelangelos of Ducati. Congratulations on a custom that is beyond anything.