Passion for motorcycles runs deep. For Ronaldo Ferreti, it’s a love affair that started during his childhood in Cuba. Surrounded by aeroplanes, thanks to his father’s work as an aviation engineer, he recalls the indelible smell of gasoline and the exhilaration of riding his father’s motorcycle—a red 1950s Jawa from Czechoslovakia. It was a taste of freedom and a connection to his roots that has stayed with him forever.
At the age of 31, a friend’s request to test-ride his new motorcycle sparked a revelation in Ferreti. After riding the bike and feeling the wind on his face, memories flooded back, and he realized that motorcycles were his true calling. It wasn’t long before he had amassed a collection of 9 bikes, but he yearned for a motorcycle that was a unique expression of his own style and creative ability.
Two years ago Ferreti purchased a bright yellow 2007 Ducati 1098, rented a community garage space and set about realising his dream. Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, buying a home, and planning a wedding, he dedicated over 250 hours of work to transforming the 1098. During the build, the motorcycle was carefully dismantled, refurbished, and rebuilt using a combination of aftermarket parts and OEM Ducati components.
As if the stock 160bhp power figure wasn’t enough, this bike’s Desmo V-twin has received a high-flow intake, a custom full exhaust system with cerakote titanium coating, and an ECU remap by Ducati NYC. The suspension has also seen an upgrade thanks to the front Showa and rear Ohlins shocks being rebuilt. Upgrades to the braking system included new Brembo callipers, new front and rear discs and bespoke cerakote black paint embellished with Ferreti’s own signature in gold. The controls are now carbon fibre CRG items and the clutch system has been upgraded using new plates, springs, caps, and a clutch slave cylinder.
Ferreti’s attention to detail extends to every aspect of this 1098 cafe racer project. Thanks to his work it now bears a strong resemblance to a 1979 Ducati 900ss, which was entirely intentional. To achieve the desired look he custom-built a rear subframe which can be detached from the bike with just 4 bolts. The fuel tank, sourced from a Ducati Sport Classic GT1000, has been paired with a 900SS style front fairing held in place by custom brackets. A modern LED headlamp with integrated turn signals adds a touch of modern tech to the classic fairing. The new monoposto tail unit, which was also sourced from a GT1000, includes a detachable storage compartment for added functionality.
To keep everything on this bike looking clean and minimalistic, Ferreti has rerouted most of the wiring out of sight. A lithium battery powers the system and it, along with the ECU, voltage regulator, and relays have all been discreetly relocated. Rather than inside the triangle of the frame, the electrics reside on a custom-made plate which is positioned above the airbox. The whole assembly can be easily moved aside to access the airbox and its construction has left the frame open for a classic, streamlined look, reminiscent of vintage motorcycles.
Aesthetically this custom 1098 captures the essence of a cafe racer but underneath its classic styling is a collection of thoroughly modern components. Among them, you’ll find premium BST carbon fibre wheels which drastically reduce unsprung weight and sharpen handling. To tie things together the bike also wears a spattering of Shift Tech carbon fibre dress-up parts. The addition of a keyless ignition along with front and rear LED lighting blends modern convenience with timeless design.
The bike’s black and gold colour scheme was chosen to evoke nostalgia and pay tribute to the 1979 Ducati 900ss. The gloss black paintwork is adorned with hand-applied Italian 23k gold leaf pinstriping, letters, and Ferreti’s own signature. The finishing touch, and perhaps the most striking detail of this bike is the trellis chassis which has been electroplated gold.
Thanks to a dramatic reduction in weight and increased horsepower Ferreti claims the bike is capable of 190mph. As he so eloquently puts it, “With no ABS or traction control, this bike is just RAW POWER!”
Photography by Zoltan
