Custom Ducati Scramblers Revealed at Verona Motor Bike Expo

Ducati presented three custom interpretations on its new Scrambler at the Verona Motor Bike Expo. Created by builders Deus Ex Machina, Mr. Martini and Officine Mermaid, the one-off specials highlight the Scrambler’s potential as a platform for customizers.

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The three builders were given free reign to reinterpret one of three versions of the Scrambler. Deus Ex Machina was assigned the Full Throttle, Mr. Martini used the Classic while Officine Mermaid was given the keys to an Urban Enduro Scrambler. The results were three different looks that showcase the Scrambler’s versatility.

“We’d been waiting for the Ducati Scrambler for some time: in 2010 we did some drift riding with bikes on the Harold Park horse-race track in Sydney together with our friends from Ducati and back then we promised that a Deus creation would be made by developing one of their models. And today we’ve maintained that promise thanks to the Ducati Scrambler: we finally found a bike made with evident vintage inspiration but with the DNA and technical features of a real motorcycle.

“These characteristics allowed Emanuele and Peter to follow their instincts, particularly after getting their hands on the bike and dismantling it to reveal a fantastic frame. Our project started from there, the result of free and innovative ideas where the main focus is on the aluminum bodywork, with a single-piece tail, number-plate support and a headlight inspired by speedway bikes. An asymmetric mudguard completes the project, together with lots of little details such as the positioning of the conic filter within the frame, the disc brake and, of course, the dedicated exhaust.

“The name however comes from Carby, creative director of Deus Australia, who was in Milan at the time; he saw the project when it was almost complete and fell in love with it, naming it Hondo Grattan, after the horse that won everything on the Harold Park race-track. Who knows, in the not-too-distant future, perhaps our bike will end up on that track too.”

Verona’s Mr. Martini went the café racer route with the Ducati Scrambler Classic. Nicola Martini of Mr. Martini describes the Café Racer:

“I decided to take part in the project because I was fascinated by the idea of working with this Italian brand and in particular by the opportunity of working with the young, dynamic and easygoing Scrambler team. Thanks to the bike’s versatility, I decided to revolutionize the basic concept, from Ducati Scrambler to Café Racer.

“The style is reminiscent of American rather than British design, owing partly to the fact that the roots of the original Ducati Scrambler project date from the seventies. Although the style is that of a Café Racer, this bike has a combination of elements that make it unique; In fact, details such as the high exhaust and knobby tires retain a decidedly Ducati Scrambler flavor. This fusion gave our bike its name: S.C.R. – Scrambler Café Racer.

“We’ve changed the nose fairing, the tail-piece, the whole of the exhaust, the foot-peg and handlebar mountings and the rear suspension unit and have, of course, given the bike a new color. The Scrambler Café Racer is in ‘total black’ including the saddle, undertail and timing belt covers.”

The Urban Enduro was the starting point for Officine Mermaid’s project, and the design team went in a raw, rough-edged direction. Dario Mastroianni of Officine Mermaid describes the Scratch:

“We decided to customize the Ducati Scrambler because we immediately earmarked it as a uniquely convertible Italian bike. We’ve infused it with our unmistakeable Officine Mermaid style, with a kind of rough-and-ready look that’s spartan and basic. We named it using the English word Scratch, to convey the idea of it being scraped or damaged.

“This can be seen straight away from the fuel tank, which we stripped of paint and treated by hand – a procedure we use only on our most exclusive bikes. The metal mudguards have been left rough (a bit like us) and then hand-brushed at the workshop. We’ve left only what is essential on the bike – anything that wasn’t necessary has been eliminated.

“Even the exhaust, for example, while derived from the original, has been reduced to a minimum. For the front we’ve chosen a traditional stanchion fork with a wide 21” wheel and an 18” wheel at the back, while the saddle and handlebars are made of vintage green leather with a decidedly Western style. Our Scratch has a main rally-style headlight and a smaller lateral spotlight.”