Photo: Overdrive Customs via Pipeburn
Not all custom Monsters are created equal, and some examples stand proudly apart from the rest. Most builders will add a new seat, exhaust, and perhaps a few aftermarket accessories before they hit the paint job and call it a day. On the other hand, there are those who really take the time to make their projects stand out, and Matteo Massaro is one of them.
He runs Overdrive Customs in Venice, Italy, where this delicious Ducati Monster went from stock to custom. Matteo started with a 2000 model, aiming to transform it into a monochromatic café racer fit for an art gallery. Caffeinated Monsters are not uncommon at all, but this particular example is much cooler than most for several reasons.
The project wasn’t a commission, as our protagonist had owned the trusty Duc since 2003 and couldn’t let it go. When it came time for a custom build, the bike ended up on the workbench and its stock subframe was promptly amputated. Matteo then created a custom alternative from scratch, with top tubes extending far forward to achieve a level bone line.
The masterminds at Overdrive also modified the main trellis structure, before placing a repurposed Ducati 916 fuel tank on top. All the electronics are hidden under the tank, and the rear of the bike houses a small in-house-built tail unit. The seat is a simple, uncluttered affair, consisting only of dense foam padding with a central cutout.
Further down, Matteo installed a Ducati Hypermotard single-sided swingarm and a Brembo three-spoke wheel from a 916. Both wheels were wrapped in Michelin race rubber, while the rear brake was upgraded with an aftermarket wave-style rotor. A carbon-fiber fender also features out back, alongside a pair of billet aluminum rearsets that complete the cockpit setup.
Interestingly, the project creator hasn’t gone with clip-ons for this machine, instead opting for a flat handlebar with minimalist controls. There’s a small aftermarket dial mounted a little further forward, just above a custom-mounted LED headlight. The front and rear suspension are still stock, but have benefited from a revitalizing makeover, as have the brakes and engine.
As you'd expect, some new breathing equipment was also on the menu. Exhaust is now routed through custom heat-wrapped piping that ends in an Ixil muffler on the right. In terms of paint, Overdrive Customs' one-off stunner uses a mix of gloss black and silver, with the latter hue taken straight from Mercedes. AMG color palette. Black was used in most places other than the bodywork, including the frame, wheels, and forks.