Stronza Bella: Ducati Monster S4

Super Roadster from Never Ending Cycles…

In 2001, Ducati unleashed the Monster S4, a weaponized version of the brand’s beloved naked roadster. Gone was the old air-cooled SOHC two-valve twin. In its place went a liquid-cooled four-valve 916 sportbike engine producing more than 100 brake horsepower, placed in the high-tensile steel frame of the ST4 sport-tourer — the strongest frame in the Ducati lineup. Add to that Brembo brakes and top-spec suspension, and a true Monster was born.

“The idea behind the S4 was simple: stuff the all-conquering superbike engine from the 916 into a Monster chassis and create a Ducati that lives up to the name stamped on the gas tank.” –Motorcycle.com

Our friends Ben and Jess Schattschneider of Never Ending Cycles service all makes and models out of their Wisconsin-based workshop, and even have a new “back on the road” program to revive old bikes, mostly family heirlooms.

Showstopper: Honda CB750 Restomod Café

Ben is no stranger to custom client builds such as the “Showstopper” Honda CB750 we previously featured, but for the 2025 show year, he decided to build a machine for himself instead of a client — a bike that could represent the workshop itself.

“I have a couple personal bikes that have been in shows, but never set out from the beginning of a project to actually build my own ‘show bike.’ Throughout the build as the dollars climbed, I would remind myself that this bike will be our showpiece and marketing/promo build for as long as we are in business.”

He started with a 2001 Monster S4, taking inspiration from the retro design of the GT1000 SportClassic.

“The idea was to make the bike have a vintage flair with a newer model design.”

Ben gives us the full rundown of the modifications below. Highlights include a refurbished and repainted engine, detabbed / modified / powder-coated frame, SportClassic spoke wheels, custom fiberglass bodywork painted in a pearly Ford white thanks to Troll Tailored Fabrication, custom-made rearsets from Larry Curik of Lone Star Choppers, completely new lighting and electronics (Microtec ECU, Motogadget M-unit blue, and a Motoscope Pro frenched into the front fairing), and much more.

Nearly every component was sand-blasted and powder-coated, and the red-stitched leather seat has the look and feel of a worn-in baseball glove. As with many builds, the road wasn’t always a smooth one — quite the opposite, in fact — but the blood, sweat, and tears proved their worth in the finished product.

“This build was a true labor of love; it fought me a lot along the way. Simple things that somehow became almost impossible, but she is a beautiful Italian supermodel, Stronza Bella. ‘Beautiful Bitch.'”

Unlike a lot of show bikes, which are built more to look pretty than perform, this machine was dyno-tuned to perfection, producing a very stout 116 whp at 11,000 rpm — a Monster worthy of the name!

Stronza Bella took 2nd place at Chicago’s Motoblot festival this past summer — congrats to Ben (and Jess, who supported him all the way) for the well-earned recognition!

Below is our full interview with Ben about the build, including many more details and photos. Credit for the beautiful fall shots goes to Luke Wein Photography.

Ducati Monster S4: Builder Interview

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

We now service all makes and models as well as our new “back on the road” program which specializes in revival of old bikes mostly of which are family heirlooms.

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

2001 Ducati Monster S4.

• Why was this bike built?

I’ve always wanted a Monster and picked this up on a trade. The intention was to just ride it and possibly repaint it at first. Then looking ahead to this year’s “show bike,” I had either a Sportster cafe to build or the Monster.

I have a couple personal bikes that have been in shows, but never set out from the beginning of a project to actually build my own “show bike.” Throughout the build as the dollars climbed, I would remind myself that this bike will be our showpiece and marketing/promo build for as long as we are in business. That softened the blow. It turned out better than I expected.

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

I’ve always love the Monster design and trellis frame of the Ducati. I also really like the GT1000 SportClassic with its spoked wheels and classic design. The idea was to make the bike have a vintage flair with a newer model design. Spoke wheels were a must — if it’s vintage, it has spokes. I knew I wanted a solo seat vs the passenger cover, as well as the cafe tail. The fairing gave the bike a sleek look, but still kept the lines I was looking for.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

This is a long list. The entire bike was disassembled, down to the frame and engine. The engine was refurbished with new seals and belts, and then painted gloss black. The frame was modified to remove extra tabs and shorten the tail section. It was powder coated in a Starcraft Nickel to give it a flat and slightly textured look.

Once it was a roller we fitted the gray with red laces SportClassic spoke wheels. This made the entire build come to life.

The front fairing and seat were modified using fiberglass and painted to match. The inside of the fairing now houses the Motoscope Pro digital gauge which is frenched in to look like it’s from the factory.

The rear seat cowl is also out of fiberglass and is part of the original seat pan. The seat was shaved down to follow the lines of the frame and wrapped in leather with a red diamond stitch. I wanted it to look like a worn-in baseball glove.

All new electronics on the bike starting with a new Microtec ECU, a Motogadget M-unit blue and handlebar switches, as well as a breakout box to control the gauge functions.

Custom-made rearsets were outsourced to Larry @lonestarchoppers, to eliminate the rear footpeg and muffler mounts.

The 5/16 steel cages were built in-house to replace the timing belt guards.

The paint and body work done by Kyle @troll_fab turned out amazing. The color is a Ford white with both red and gold pearl. In the light it actually changes colors

Not one piece on the bike was left original except for the beautiful Öhlins front forks.

Many hours of blasting and powder-coating. The brake calipers, timing belt pulleys, sprockets, bars, levers — it goes on and on.

The exhaust unfortunately has gone through three changes so far and probably still more. The original look was way too loud and the second attempt failed when is what built incorrect. It now has a full Termignoni exhaust which looks ok and sounds amazing.

The lighting on the bike upfront is an LED with a 7” headlight and sequential turn signals by Kellerman, and the rear has a hidden LED strip under the tail as well as a Kellerman stop/tail light and sequential indicators on the cowl.

Lastly the bike was dyno tuned and makes roughly 116whp. It is a torque monster with the 4-valve 4-cam set up.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Stronza Bella. This build was a true labor of love; it fought me a lot along the way. Simple things that somehow became almost impossible, but she is a beautiful Italian supermodel, Strong Bella. “Beautiful Bitch.”

• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?

116 whp at 11k rpm. 70 lbs of torque and 0-60 3.1.

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?

To ride this bike is similar to a poorly trained horse. It’s a little jerky at lower rpms as most Ducatis are; it loves to trot and really loves to full on gallop. Okay, enough with the metaphors. The bike has a beautiful stance and standover height. I’m 5’7” and very comfortable on it. You aren’t too stretched out over the tank either.

The first thing you notice when you stand the bike up is the softer suspension and sag. Once riding the Öhlins do what they do best and stiffen when needed and soften as well. The sound of the motor, the open dry clutch are a symphony, long before you even shift into first gear.

The bike, as I mentioned, doesn’t enjoy low speeds. It takes a bit of getting used to. Remembering that Ducatis don’t have valve springs lets you rev the bike into the low teens rpm range. Once you are at 4k it comes alive. Handles great and just keeps pulling as much as you want to throw at it. Really an exhilarating machine. And what’s even more fun, is that being fuel injected it starts every time! Going slow through downtown Oconomowoc turns all the heads.

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

I’m very proud of the overall design. I love how the fairing and gauge cluster turned out. It looks like it was a factory injection molded piece. The seat is also a beautiful attribute.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Kyle Kunzer and his team at Troll Tailored Fabrication for the paint and fiberglass.
Mark formerly the DUC Shop for the ECU and plenty of help.
Larry Curik of Lone Star Choppers for the rear sets.
Jessica Schattschneider for supporting me through this expensive and time-consuming build.
Warren Hein from Mama Tried for letting me show it this year.
Kevin Dunworth and Larry Fletcher for having me in Motoblot and Valhalla where it took home the 2nd place purse.