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Ducati 848 Gets Prescribed an Extensive Aftermarket Treatment

Try not to look too ridiculous as you drool over this graceful work of moto art, okay?
Ducati 848 10 photos
Photo: Mike Salek
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Back in 2008, Ducati unleashed a fearsome machine on the realm of two-wheeled entities. Thanks to its remarkable performance and affordability, the mighty 848 earned a very special place in the hearts of many gearheads. It is powered by a DOHC L-twin colossus with a healthy displacement of 848 cc and four valves per cylinder.

This nasty animal is perfectly capable of summoning up to 134 untamed ponies at 10,000 rpm, while supplying a ruthless torque output of 71 pound-feet (96 Nm) at around 8,250 revs. The engine’s sheer oomph is fed to a chain final drive by means of a six-speed transmission, leading to a whopping top speed of 160 mph (257 kph).

Given its enviable characteristics, it’s no wonder this bad boy happens to be a hot pick for workshops looking to embark on an ambitious custom venture. One such exploit is the work of a gifted moto artist named Mike Salek, and the final result is a genuine testament to his meticulous abilities!

The customization process kicked off with the removal of each and every last body panel, followed by a comprehensive clean-up of the frame. As soon as he had everything looking clean, the project’s mastermind proceeded to contact a fellow enthusiast by the name of David Martinez. The duo went about fabricating the bike’s fresh bodywork units by hand using aluminum sheets.

Furthermore, the frame was enveloped in a satin grey finish, while the specialists over at Little Shop of Kustoms were tasked with treating the new bodywork to a sexy coat of ice pearl paintwork that hails from Porsche’s palette. The tasty aqua base is complemented by a selection of grey decals, matching the color of 848’s stock frame.

After tweaking the airbox, Salek crafted a rugged one-off exhaust system that wears a carbon fiber muffler from SC Project. You will find the Ducati 999’s handlebars and one handsome 6-inch aftermarket headlight adorning the bike’s front end. To top it all off, a Power Commander unit was installed and the entire beast was rewired with state-of-the-art electricals.

All things considered, we can probably all agree that Salek’s painstaking efforts have paid off.
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About the author: Silvian Secara
Silvian Secara profile photo

A bit of an artist himself, Silvian sees two- and four-wheeled machines as a form of art, especially restomods and custom rides. Oh, and if you come across a cafe racer article on our website, it’s most likely his doing.
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