6.27.2014

Top Shelf: Ducati 900ss Custom by Atom Bomb






Located in Richmond, Virginia, Atom Bomb specializes in the construction of fully custom vintage British motorcycles built from discarded, damaged, and forgotten Triumph and BSA relics. This breathtaking Ducati 900SS custom is actually a personal project of craftsman Clay Rathburn. Clay’s original plan was to source a 999 frame to house the 900′s 2v mill, but, since he had a blueprint of the 999 frame, he decided to build one from scratch instead. Using a mix of tubing sizes and wall thicknesses, he was actually able to brace it better than a stock 999 frame. 

Since it was a personal project, the budget was limited, forcing Clay to mix and match suspension components. Up front are a set of Showa forks from a late-model Suzuki GSX-R, set in the 900SS triple trees. The GSX-R also supplied the Brembo monobloc radial brake calipers, matched to floating Brembo rotors. An Aprilia RSV front wheel was mounted up front, with a Ducati 999 rear wheel, swingarm and shock out back. Clay also fitted an Öhlins steering damper via Atom Bomb mounts.

Clay then set about fabricating all bodywork from aluminum, starting with the tail. The shape of the tail was dictated by the bike’s 1098 taillight. Despite the tank’s small appearance, it carries 4.5 gallons of fuel. Other bespoke bits include the foot controls and the front fender brace, which holds a powder-coated Ducati performance fender. In addition, the bike is also fitted with Keihin FCR carbs, Fast by Ferracci high compression pistons, ported and flowed heads and manifolds, CA Cycleworks heavy duty head studs, and an Ignitech programmable ignition with CA Cycleworks coils.


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