One-Off Custom Ducati Cafe Racer Oozes Appeal

The 2007 Ducati Monster S4R Testastretta was very fast, beautiful, and built to a high specification. Then, a Florida-based custom Ducati specialist took it to a new level with this unique custom cafe racer recently for sale on eBay.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Testastretta?

For this second iteration of the S4R, Ducati wisely used the fine 998-cc V-twin motor from its 999 Superbike. With around 130 horsepower and enough torque to satisfy the thirst of any wheelie freak, it easily met the criteria for the new S4R. But Ducati believed the way the engine revved didn’t  suit the new bike’s character. So, it brought the engine back to the drawing board.

Despite sharing the same cubic capacity as the motor from the 999 model, the Testastretta got a bigger bore and shorter stroke to make higher revs. To make the most of this alteration, the cylinder heads had to be completely redesigned to allow greater flow at higher rpm, and the valve angle had to be reduced, which resulted in a narrow head—or “Testastretta.”

Detail and Precision

The S4R Testastretta was a hit with reviewers. Upon its release, it was widely declared a fine-handling and very fast piece of Italian exotica. However, it clearly wasn’t quite exotic enough for Florida-based Unico Moto—a builder of outlandish cafe racer motorcycles.

Unico is the Italian word for unique. The Orlando-based company describes its mission like this:

Unico Moto is a place where unique ideas are transformed into reality with unparalleled detail and precision.

Despite being significantly altered from new, the one-off motorcycle for sale on eBay retains a factory look. The Ducati cafe racer contains an exhaustive run-down of all the work that went into this stunning machine. Here are the highlights:

• Relocated battery and ECU
• Frame cut and extensively altered to accommodate custom seat and tail section
• Custom seat with subtle red stitching
• Custom grilles made to follow the contours of a distinctive Ducati 749 fuel tank
• Forged Marchesini wheels and high-end Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4 tires
• Custom exhaust by Unico Moto

Plenty of carbon fiber, CNC, and satin or matte powder coating work covers just about every visible surface.

The eBay listing includes a video showing the bike being started and revved. If the sight and specification of this machine don’t leave a lasting impression, then the sound emanating from its custom exhaust will. It is about as appealing as sports-style motorcycling gets.

Any Downsides?

This Ducati cafe racer is a custom build, so some parts will be awkward to repair or replace. Handle with care. Like any Ducati with manually opened and closed valves (desmodromic valve operation), you need an accurate record of how long the timing belt has been on there and how far the bike has been ridden during that time. Major servicing and setting-up is for Ducati-certified personnel only.

The S4R is a desirable machine that was built for only a few years. Now consider the quality of work, the parts used, and the fact that this cafe racer is one-of-a-kind. That adds up to a unique investment.