2008 SDR Custom Build

So, this will be the thread where I document the (re)build of my 2008 SDR. I've been pondering a custom build for a couple of years. Was first inspired by the work of the guys who run Spirit of the Seventies, albeit via a project that never kicked off:



Have been playing with concepts since and did some very mild work via a custom Akrapovic set up with visions of shortening the tail section. Here's my bike (2008 SDR) as it stands right now:



Then I recently saw a custom Ducati 900ss (below) by Atom Bomb Customs down in Virginia and it resonated with me such that I called Clay Rathburn who runs the shop and discussed my ideas.



The SDR is being shipped down to him early next week to begin building something truly unique. I'll keep this post up to date with each stage of the build and will enjoy seeing your feedback - for or against. Me? I can't wait to get started.

I'll also get my shit together with listing all the parts that will come off this bike and be up for sale including that brand new tank and a bunch of Carbon Parts (Powerparts and Akrapovic).

This is me with a huge bag of popcorn, waiting for the show to start.

Same here, will follow with great interest!

Very exciting! Looking forward to the updates!

That Ducati is the nicest looking bike I've seen for a long time. Good luck with your build mate, looking forward to following your adventure.

What pipes are those currently on your SDr? I'm really curious to see the final outcome of the build also


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I was looking at mine the other day and thought it would be a great base for a project like this. So I will definitely be following your progress with this.

Good luck with the build.

I liked the Photoshop job at the top a lot as well but not the stupid price tag floated for it.

These things are all personal taste, for me everything below the seat / tank level of the Ducati is nice and everything above that line I don't like at all.

Look forward to seeing how yours comes out.

Very interesting, keep us informed please

Well, the bike has landed at Atom Bomb Customs. Clay has taken it for a good thrashing and concluded that, unlike his Ducati, the engine needs no work at all. I think we'd all probably agree with that. Brakes too. He loves how the poet comes in around 7000rpm.

I'm heading down there either Friday this week or early next week to discuss the project but suffice to say, the bike will be stripped down completely as a first stage.

First set of photos to come next week.

when building will Clay make it possible to have multiples made?
I know that the tank is one part that many may be looking to replace
just a thought - and kudos for being the first to take the big plunge

Interesting.
Really wondering about the lowering. Would this be at the expense of clearance or are you looking to lower the seating position, to, in effect sit lower int the bike than on top of it?

After months of pondering; the bike is under way. Almost stripped - airbag is now out (still in the photo) and the handlebars just to make it easier to move the bike around. We're going to go with a Rottweiler airbox and custom clip-ons. We're also keeping the SDR taillight which will be fitted into the new custom tail piece/subframe. New handmade tank and rearsets. Frame will remain orange and all wiring and battery routed under the seat. Keeping the SDR gel seat also but no the OEM seat mount. Also keeping the KTM dash. Likely to go with bare metal body work and All suspension will go off to Racetech for a rebuild.

This post will finally see some more action. Getting excited now

A short article about perspective - might help. How's it going?

http://www.bikeexif.com/build-cafe-racer

Talked to Clay a couple weeks ago and he said they'll be getting this project underweigh soon...

Love this thread!!!!!!

Performance of the SDR and look of an old school Café Racer.

Sign me up.

Will be watching, but hurry up !

Nitro

Yes, it's been a much protracted project with many business and person issues taking priority But the bike has been stripped and much of the wiring has been re-routed already. replacements parts have been selected. Overall style has not yet been decided upon and the Duke is a tricky one. The intentions to retain as much of its DNA as possible, so the orange framer will remain and we're retrying to work in some of the lines from the old tank and tail piece. Below are a few of the early sketches used for inspiration. There's a new set that I put up in a week or so that follow more the angles endless of the cafe racer styling.

[quote="Exitman"]Yes, it's been a much protracted project with many business and person issues taking priority But the bike has been stripped and much of the wiring has been re-routed already. replacements parts have been selected. Overall style has not yet been decided upon and the Duke is a tricky one. The intentions to retain as much of its DNA as possible, so the orange framer will remain and we're retrying to work in some of the lines from the old tank and tail piece. Below are a few of the early sketches used for inspiration. There's a new set that I put up in a week or so that follow more the angles endless of the cafe racer styling.






Wow, this looks cafe / street fighter mean. I'll be tracking this build...very interesting.

Yeah, this is the one we're basing the next set of designs on. Tail is wrong as we want to retain the OEM tail light and we're not using the OEM belly pan. Either nothing or a full carbon belly pan (painted).

........"we're not using the OEM belly pan. Either nothing ...."

With the newer, smaller, light weight batteries, it's possible to move all that crap that hangs behind the front tyre to under the seat and the tail section.

Very Cool!!!

Love the idea! New owner of a standard SD, but want it to become unique! I was thinking of something similar, but different. I was not only thinking of moving the battery but also wondered if the super-moto oil tank could replace that monster that's on the SD, both being LC8's and all. Could really clean up the bottom end. And your "tank" thoughts are interesting, too!

Like where you are headed!!



Abiding in Montana!

Ohhhh !

like that idea of moving the battery and getting rid of that BOX down low -

Watching from afar ...

This is where I got up to last year.

I was thinking about getting a large aluminium tank made together with a new tail unit. Strip the battery and electrics from the front and also get rid of the oil tank and put it under the seat.
It's not easy getting the aesthetics right. The engine, frame and running gear is so modern it doesn't really work doing an old school retro feel but when you try and keep the KTM 'edge' styling then it sort of doesn't work as a cafe racer. I tried a lot of things from old TZ style tail units through to sharp, upwards angled contemporary shapes. I just ended up respecting these bike designers when they get it right - it's not easy to do.


This is a custom tank someone made for the RC8

Here's some early thoughts.

Like that oil tank wrapped around under the seat -
lithium battery on top of that .
Planning a complete overhaul this winter including painting the frame but don't think i can get as ambitions ( lack of funds ) always lack of funds !!!!

http://rs403.pbsrc.com/albums/pp117/rob ... pg~320x480 a few nips and tucks to go but nearly there.

A few more renderings and getting close to getting back on this job:

I do like the last design which is something similar to what I have in my sketch book,but you will probably only get 5 litres of gas in there.Maybe a design like the Honda MotoGP bike with the fuel tank running low and to the rear incorparating some of the tail section.

Is this still in the works since Clay quit doing bikes full time?

Look at this. It's from the SD owners group in FaceSpace.

Apart from the exhaust that looks very promising!

well done, but not my cup o tea. If it were my project, I'd have relocated the battery under the tail, got rid of the chin spoiler, and trimmed down the tank/seat to be lower profile....but then people would really mistaken it for a Duc!