The top two Ducatis fees this weekend; an iconic 1974 Ducati 750SS and a neoclassical cafe racer based on the Ducati 996. Let’s also take a look at Harley-Davidson’s new 2,212 cc barrel engine and the new Husqvarna Norden 901 Expedition.
Ducati 750SS 1974 by Adam Lindemann Picture the scene: It’s Italy in 1972, and you’re sitting in the stands in Imola, waiting for the start of the inaugural Imola 200 road race. Before that, you saw Fabio Taglioni arrive at the track in a strange bus with glass sides. Inside, behind hand-drawn inscriptions, are seven fully covered, silver Ducati racing bikes.
Little did anyone know that this would become one of the most important races in Ducati’s history. What’s more, the all-new 750cc, bevel drive V-Twin decoder motorcycles you see when unloading, will go on to become one of the most iconic motorcycles in history history.
Two of those bikes will finish first and second at that race in Imola. First to cross the line was Paul Smart, followed by his teammate, Bruno Spaggiari. They dominated the race with their silver Ducatis, famously overtaking champion Giacomo Agostini on their way to victory.
To celebrate their victory, Ducati decided to build a similar 401 special edition in 1974, based on the bikes used at Imola. At the time, it was the closest thing to a factory race bike any normal Joe could buy (if they had the money). This bike is also known as the Ducati ‘Blue Frame’, due to the striking colors used to paint the frame.
Along with the history of the model itself, this particular bike is even more important. This is the personal bike of respected investor and art collector, Adam Lindemann. Naturally, owned by an art connoisseur, this bike is perfectly documented and has been verified by brand experts. Chassis and engine numbers are recorded in all 750SS registries, including Ian Falloon and Phil Schilling’s 750 Super Sport Registry.
The previous owner had owned this bike for 24 years and at some point it was sympathetically restored, mainly focusing on cosmetics. Best of all, this is the only Green Frame that was exported to Puerto Rico and it retains the original license plate from the 1970s. You can’t fake that cool look.
Mr. Lindemann is well aware of the fun factor—so much so that this beautiful piece of motoring history is being auctioned off by Christie’s as part of “ADAM: Works from the Adam Lindemann Collection.” The only motorcycle in the auction, it will be in good company along with works by Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, etc.
Come for art, stay for motorbikes. If only there were a few more zeros at the end of our bank balance, right? [Via]
Ducati ‘Euforia’ by Luca Pagani Luca Pagani is an Italian designer who teaches clay modeling at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Turin. So he’s the type of guy who can take an idea that’s spinning in his head and turn it into reality.
That’s how this neoclassical Ducati cafe racer has arrived. It started out as a simple sketch, then Luca turned into a digital drawing. From there, he tested his design on a number of sponsored bikes to find which one would work best.
Naturally, the Italian designer chose a Ducati. More specifically, it was a chassis from a Ducati 996. Combining it with an engine from the Ducati Multistrada 1000DS, Luca began designing a new bodywork.
For obvious reasons, Luca made his dreams come true on clay for the first time. When he is satisfied, the molds are removed and the bodywork is created in its final form.
The crank is the best part of the bike. It’s perfect, down to the side skirts and embedded LED headlights that match the bike’s modern vintage feel. Ingenious bodywork details attach the bibs to the fuel tank in a way that only a master designer can do.
The fuel tank is organic but still sporty and almost like it was shaped by the wind itself. The red leather saddle easily moves into the rear of the car, ending with a lightweight ducktail that certainly makes Kawasaki’s designers gasp. Painted in black, red and black bronze, the bodywork is flawless.
Under the rear of the car is a stainless steel double-walled exhaust, supplied by FF by Fresco. Winding around the engine and up under the saddle, that’s another gorgeous component.
If you like what you see, you’re in luck. You can order your own ‘Euforia’ from Luca—to the specs you see here or based on a Ducati Monster 937. We won’t change a thing. [Via]
Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle 135 Stage IV Performance Barrel Engine If you already own a 2021 or later touring Harley and have always wanted more power, you’re not alone. For more than a century, Harley has built high-displacement, over-engineered (abandoned AMF years) low-pressure engines. There’s a reason Harley Davidsons don’t scream their power numbers from the roof; their engines are geared towards monstrous torque, usability, and controllability. Until now.
Satisfied with the Harley Davidson Screamin’ Eagle 135 Stage IV Performance Barrel Engine. The new Donk delivers 194 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm and 130 hp at 5,500 rpm, at the rear wheels. For reference, The Motor Co.’s Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. for 115 Nm and 94 hp, while the larger 117 engine powering its premium touring cars produces 168 Nm and 102 hp.
HD really leans towards the saying “there is no substitute for displacement” with this one. The Stage IV engine has a whopping 2,212 cc capacity to generate blasts.
Developed in partnership with the MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers road racing series, the new engine features a 68mm throttle body matched with a CNC intake manifold. The ends have been moved to go with enhanced camshafts and high performance valve springs. High-powered fuel injectors deliver dinosaur juice to the forged pistons, with a 10.7:1 compression ratio.
The Screamin’ Eagle 135ci Stage IV Performance Barrel Engine can be bolted to an original 2021 (or newer) Harley-Davidson Touring bike. No special fabrication or relocation of the engine mount is required, and the motor is also covered by a two-year warranty.
All of these (and more) can be yours for just $7,999.95. That sounds expensive—but are you really putting a price on freedom? [Harley-Davidson]
Husqvarna Norden expedition 901 Adventure bikes aren’t usually the prettiest, but the Husqvarna Norden 901 delivers on that trend. The clean Scandinavian style makes a strong statement, especially when it’s artfully decked out on what is essentially a KTM 890 Adventure.
This week, Husqvarna announced this: Norden Expedition 901. Essentially an upgraded version of the Norden base model, it adds better suspension and a host of travel-friendly bits. .
Up front is an all-new WP XPLOR adjustable fork, with up to 240 mm of travel (20 mm more than the standard model). A taller touring windshield has been added, along with heated grips for colder months.
The Expedition boasts a larger, thicker slide than the standard model. As well as providing better protection for the engine and fuel tank, it also makes a great visual statement (and would look great when covered in mud).
To ease chain and tire maintenance, Husky has fitted a central rack to the Expedition model, improving the convenience factor. It also comes standard with a set of soft-baskets and mounting hardware. Lucky owners get 36 liters of storage space, ideal for day trips and overnighters.
For tech-savvy riders, the Expedition also comes with the Husqvarna Connector. This offers Turn-by-Turn+ navigation, calling functionality and music selection from the driver’s smartphone. And it also has its own unique paint job—the combination of metallic blue and white makes the original Norden look pedestrian in comparison. [Husqvarna Motorcycles]
