While it may be listed as a 2006 “Built Monster 1000s”, I’m calling this build “the Gulf Classic” for what should be obvious reasons.
Although details on this one are a little vague (to say the least), this 2006 Ducati is still clearly something special. The Duc blatantly features the frame, swing-arm, spoked rims, tank and tail section from a 2006 Ducati 1000 Sport Classic. I don’t know Ducati engines well enough to say whether the bike’s power-plant came from a Monster (guessing based on the bike’s name that it’s a possibility?), though to me it looks like a Sport Classic engine. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than myself in this area can shine some light on exactly what this machine’s orange frame is housing? The seller makes it clear however that this two-wheeler has a salvage title leading me to believe there’s a good chance some frankensteining may have occurred.
There are however a handful of certainties I can share with you about this mysterious scoot. This thing is loaded with premium aftermarket goodies such as a full Zard exhaust, Rizoma reservoirs (and likely other minor parts) as well as components from Yanashiki, Ducabike, and Speedymoto (clutch-cover maybe?) though the seller fails to specify what exactly. I can tell you that the brakes (and levers) are all made by Brembo.
The iconic powder/baby blue and orange “Gulf” color-scheme, complete with the Gulf’s classic logo, looks great on this modern classic and helps it to stand out as something genuinely unique. The custom clutch-cover and carbon rear fender further compound the Ducati’s neo-modern aesthetic. The minor touches such as metal brake-fluid reservoirs, (presumably) LED signals and bar-end mirrors and quick-release gas-cap definitively establish this build as an obvious custom. The meticulous attention to detail is a big part of what makes this bike really shine, the beautifully painted front fender, the tasteful and factory-esque decals on the tank and tail, down the the rims and hubs painted or powder coated to match the frame, it’s these little touches that together make up the sum that is the Gulf Classic. The bike is a fascinating example of the merging of old and new that’s become popular in recent years.
The show-room cleanliness of this motorcycle is also pretty impressive. Everything down to the engine looks pretty spotless, the seemingly new grips look like they’ve never been touched. So while this custom is plenty worthy of exhibition, the presence of frame sliders would suggest this build was made to do more than be ogled over. If you don’t mind the headache of a salvage title (or a little mystery), this “Gulf Classic” can be the newest addition to your stable for $13,000, available here at the Garage Company in Los Angeles, California.