A few years In the past, a cafe racer was usually a classic bike, modified with a nicer body, tuned engine, and a chunky single saddle. If you have a mental image, it could very well be a 1970s Honda CB or a 1980s BMW airhead.
But as mainstream factories outfit their bikes with power steering and clip-ons, many builders are moving on and abandoning the vintage vibe. They are aiming for more modern machines — and blurring the boundaries of a cafe racer.
This sleek Ducati Monster 600 from the UK epitomizes change. The cafe racer character is still there, but the retro aspect has been toned down.
Called the ‘Ghost’, this machine comes from Manchester-based builder Antony Ruggiero, a man who likes to hold a grinder in one hand and an iPad in the other. As a business designer, he runs For The Bold — a workshop with the popular YouTube channel that showcases his building process.
Antony decided to make Monster out of a desire to challenge himself.
“My YouTube channel is doing well and I just finished building the Prostate Cancer Foundation,” he says. “But my last four projects are what I call ‘simple’ builds. A bit of frame mods, tank and seat changes, and clip-ons. I want to push myself more than I did before. “
Like us, Antony was intrigued by the changing definition of a cafe racer. He decided to modify his own 1994 Monster 600, turning it into ‘a nostalgic yet modern version’ of a cafe.
He also wants to test the boundaries of classic styling elements – and techniques like modeling clay – by bringing in modern ideas and materials.
That means a carbon fiber coating, an attraction for angular lines and a neutral color palette. And a spotlight shines on the iconic trellis frame.
Antony tells us: “I started making shapes out of foam, following 2D sketches on my iPad, before molding the rest out of clay. “I am always amazed at the method that traditional car designers use. And I find I can bring ideas to a better life when I can create them myself.”
Antony used a split die to create a fiberglass prototype of the angular bodywork. When everything went well, the final billets were made of ultra-light carbon fiber. “Achieving symmetry is difficult — I am determined to do it with my eyes.”
The wheels require a bit more conventional measurement. Antony took the Yamaha XS650 shafts from Dime City Cycles and combined them with a custom drilled Excel rim. The tires are Avon Trailriders, a 90% on-, 10% off-road compound chosen to give it an aggressive look.
The refurbished forks are black and custom spacers align the wheels at both ends. Antony also made custom brackets to fit the rear brake and a custom sprocket that combines the XS650 axle with the Monster 520’s front sprocket and sprocket.
There are many 3D designs on this machine. Printed plastic parts include the vents, some brackets, and the bottom body; 3D files are also used for CNC aluminum cutting for the tailpiece, cambelt cover, tripod, and tank strap.
Antony shortened the rear end of the frame to narrow side visibility, but he extended the length of the tank by four inches – creating a sportier riding posture. The new fuel tank sits about 3 inches lower than stock and hugs the air filter closer.
Directly behind are custom seats, upholstered in black Alcantara with orange stitching to complement the vibrant colors on the trellis frame. Hidden underneath is a single TFX shock absorber, with the external reservoir discreetly attached to the frame.
The unusual exhaust system is from the Italian manufacturer QD. Called the Ex-Box, it conceals several sound chambers that have been tuned to limit decibels without impeding airflow — and set to low to avoid cluttering the overall lines.
With new controls, Domino throttle and compact LED flashing lights, this Monster 600 is now ready to hit the road.
It’s hard to get good views on a bike and many attempts have either failed or been too ‘busy’. But Antony has done it right here, with excellent visual balance and low precision paint work that allows the frame to speak.
If this is a glimpse into the future for cafe racers, we are it all.
For bold industries | Instagram | Photographed by Tom’s LawFilmed at THG Studios
