Ducati Monster 900ie custom - PROJECT
Yes, that's right; this is Conti's first ever custom bike build! We call it 'Genesis,' but Simon has dubbed his debut creation 'sCM 1.0'.
The 24-year-old Italian took the basic Monster 900 running gear (believed to be an early '00s 900ie) and clothed it in a very individual combination of steel, aluminium and carbon fibre to create the "finished" article. We say "finished" reservedly because this bike has been altered, adjusted and reconfigured a number of times - even since theis article was first compiled. Conti's creation holds true to the adage that projects are never truly finished, just abandoned! Despite this, it's no less impressive.
Taking a step up from your standard custom build, Conti not only made his own bodywork, but also fabricated an entirely new frame. Feeding the factory Ducati's trellis frame dimensions into an AutoCAD program, Conti created a loose replica in a melange of industrial and organic shapes. This was then CNC-machined to create the final design you see here with its distinctive asymmetrical cutouts. What you can't see is the large hoop of chunky tube steel which holds these pieces together and also connects to the custom headstem. Conti says this provides the essentially rigidity needed to ensure the perforated outer frame doesn't flex.
The fuel tank continues the theme of the frame surrounds, fabricated from aluminium in a mix of shapes and angles that gives the finished result a multi-faceted appearance. Originally, all this was hidden by a smooth carbon fibre cover, with special cutouts for twin pod-style air filters which sprouted above the tank. While this has since been removed, the original Monster engine has been dressed up with a number of carbon fibre parts.
The bodywork was another example of the changing nature of this project. After the carbon fibre tank cover was ditched, a handcrafted aluminium bellypan followed soon after. The carbon fibre forward body section has been retained, serving as a mount for the oil cooler, while providing complementary weather shielding to the bobbed front mudguard.
The exhaust system, another example of Conti's artistry and outside-the-square thinking, originally terminated in a single muffler mounted transversely under the minimalist seat. This was changed to an exposed 2-into-2 arrangement with no silencers, before being changed again. The latest version retains the sinuous pipes, but these now feed into a large single muffler, placed under the engine.
On the topic of the seat, the earliest images of Conti's creation show what appears to be a carbon fibre solo seat, but a change of thinking saw that replaced with a moulded sheet of metal with ventilation cutouts and small rubber grip tabs. More recently, the bum-numbing nature of that seat has led Conti to add a layer of foam padding for comfort.
SCM 1.0's front wheel is a blacked-out Marchesini item, while the rear appears to be a Carrozzeria rim. Early images showed the rear wheel was originally powdercoated black, too, but has since been altered to bare metal appearance to match the buffed rear swingarm and the rest of the bare metal touches on this bike. Suspension has been tricked up a little, with a remote res Ohlins unit at the rear, and modified shocks bearing Simon's own 'Conti Racing Accessories' label at the front.
Originally, SCM 1.0 had a set of clip-on bars fitted, but their sleek profile was diluted by the upright factory reservoirs. Realising this, Conti replaced them with a more aesthetically-pleasing single 'bar, with pair of aftermarket mirrors slung underneath. The insect-like vertically-stacked headlamps (which look like they're off a Sachs MadAss scooter) continue the semi-organic theme of this bike, while at the back, a tiny LED tail light is tucked under the seat.
Unfortunately, Conti hasn't provided much more information on the specs or components of this build, so there's nothing else we can really add, apart from the fact that SCM 1.0 is very, VERY different! But is his creation cool, though? We'll let you decide!
Source/Images: Bike Exif
