Brazed Beast: 1975 Ducati 860 GT “Oilcat”

1975 Ducati 860GT “Oilcat” from Icarus Motors…

For the 1975 model year, Ducati introduced the 860 GT, which combined Fabio Taglioni’s original stressed-member 750 GT frame with a larger 864cc bevel-cam-drive V-twin. Interestingly, Ducati achieved the larger displacement by adding a pair of their 450 single-cylinder sleeves and pistons.

“As anyone who has done so will tell you, the only thing that beats riding a good 450 MkIII single is riding two. The 860 engine has all the single’s virtues of endless torque, mechanical refinement and sheer force of character — squared. The 860 is undoubtedly one of the world’s finest motorcycle engines.” –Period tester

Less lauded were the aesthetics. The angular lines of the stock machine was the vision of Giorgetto Giugiaro, an automotive designer who has the original VW Golf, Lotus Esprit S1, BMW M1, and DeLorean to his credit, among others. In this case, however, Giugiaro’s angular, “folded paper” styling were unwelcome to fans of the “round-case” Ducati 750 twins, and initial sales were poor.

This ’75 Ducati 860 GT comes from our buddy Ian Sutton of Icarus Motors, who got his start as a bicycle frame builder — a background that, as you’ll see, led to some very neat, uncommon detailing on this build.

“My fabrication background started with bicycle frames. Something I did for about a decade that focused on extreme precision and dedication to flawless finishing of every detail.”

Many of the earliest motorcycle designers and builders began their careers as bicycle builders (not to mention the Wright brothers), and that tradition has been kept alive by such folks as Gary Littlejohn, Tony Pereira, and our buddy Steve “Brew” Garn. We met Ian in person at the Wildsville Scramble in our home state of Georgia, and we were immediately interested in his frame-building background and how that might transition to custom motorbikes.

Up until now, most of Ian’s motorcycle builds have been aimed to participate in the Vintage 1000, a series of 1000-mile off-road events on pre-1980 motorcycles organized by our friends at Speed Deluxe Vintage Adventures:

“Most of what I’ve built for motorcycles has been about reviving old dirt bikes to take part in Vintage 1000 events, which require having a rig solid enough to carry you and your camping gear over a thousand miles of dirt. I would make racks, side panels, tanks and fenders to suit that goal, very utilitarian. The Oilcat was a chance to mess around with form, though it functions pretty sweet too.”

Baja and Back: 5 Days on the Vintage 1000

When Ian picked up the donor bike from Bobby Costello (@costellofab), it was already far from stock — a Frankenstein street tracker with Harley Sportster wheels, GSX-R forks, fiberglass tank, and a homemade exhaust system.

“I had no desire to restore it to a thoroughbred Italian, but something unique for the street sounded like a good direction. The bevel twin 860 motor was maligned for its looks but I think it’s perfect for blending analog style with modern-ish tech.”

Thence began the creation of the “Oilcat,” which we enjoyed following via Ian’s social media. We were especially intrigued at the fabrication of the upper triple clamp and fairing brace. Ian dug into his frame-building roots and brass-brazed these elements like you would on a traditional bicycle frame. The brass fillets at the joints are especially neat, and pretty rare to see on a motorcycle build.

Ian also shaped the aluminum tail, seat, tank, fairings, and front fender by hand. He paired an analog tach with a motogadget digital dash, and the old Dellorto carbs were swapped for a set of Smartcarbs.

Add a Sachse ignition system, Öhlins rear shocks, and LED lighting, and the “Oilcat” combines modern tech with old-school brazing and hand-beaten bodywork into a singular machine. Our buddy Chastin Brand, hand-painter extraordinaire, laid down the logo, while Cheryl Lyons upholstered the saddle — two of Georgia’s best.

The overall effect is striking — an angular, hand-built street sweeper that would like right at home in post-apocalyptic films like Mad Max or Blade Runner. Not surprisingly, the “Oilcat” was accepted into the 2026 Handbuilt Show, where it was one of our favorite builds on display.

Ian says that big air-cooled L-twin makes the bike a lot of fun to ride, too.

“Feels like a muscle car, with its loud rumbly motor that feels too powerful for the brakes to properly keep in check.”

Ian is humble about his own craftsmanship, but we’re excited to see more builds roll out of his basement shop.

“At this stage it’s all about gaining experience and seeing if I can make something that fits my own style. This one does that, but I have a lot to learn to improve and keep pushing future builds further.”

The “Oilcat” showcases a fresh vision and uncommon skillset, and we’re thankful to Ian for sharing the build with us. Below you’ll find out full uncut interview with Ian himself, as well as more photos courtesy of our buddy Drew Perlmutter.

Ducati 860 GT Café Racer: Builder Interview

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

My fabrication background started with bicycle frames. Something I did for about a decade that focused on extreme precision and dedication to flawless finishing of every detail. When I started building motorcycles it was more about beating out steel and aluminum panels to fit the silhouettes in my head, and then leave as much of the texture and scars of that process in place rather than smoothing it out and covering it up. I build out of the basement shop at my home.

Most of what I’ve built for motorcycles has been about reviving old dirt bikes to take part in Vintage 1000 events, which require having a rig solid enough to carry you and your camping gear over a thousand miles of dirt. I would make racks, side panels, tanks and fenders to suit that goal, very utilitarian. The Oilcat was a chance to mess around with form, though it functions pretty sweet too.

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

1975 Ducati 860GT.

• Why was this bike built?

Personal project, but may let it go once I am ready to build the next idea I’ve got brewing.

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

The bike was already a mix of parts from all over that had been brought together to make a flat tracker. Harley Sportster wheels, GSXR fork, fiberglass tank and homemade exhaust. I really liked the style when I bought it, but I was only riding it around town and wasn’t about to learn flat track racing on such a big rowdy machine.

I had no desire to restore it to a thoroughbred Italian, but something unique for the street sounded like a good direction. The bevel twin 860 motor was maligned for its looks but I think it’s perfect for blending analog style with modern-ish tech.

• What custom work was done to the bike?

Handmade aluminum tail, seat, tank, fairings, and front fender. Upper triple clamp and fairing brace made from brass brazed steel.

Analog tachometer paired with a motogadget digital dash. The Smartcarbs are super advanced compared to the Dellortos it had originally. Sachse ignition system with proper ignition advance curve. Öhlins rear shocks. LED lighting.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

Oilcat.

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

Feels like a muscle car, with its loud rumbly motor that feels too powerful for the brakes to properly keep in check.

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

At this stage it’s all about gaining experience and seeing if I can make something that fits my own style. This one does that, but I have a lot to learn to improve and keep pushing future builds further. This one has details that I haven’t seen other builders do and that feels like a good place to be.

• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

Bobby Costello for selling me the bike and his continued tutelage of vintage Ducati wrenching.
Chastin Brand for his paintwork
Cheryl Lyons for the seat upholstery