We Dig Revival Cycles’ Flawless Ducati 900SS “J63” and We'll Bet You Do Too

As time went by, we’ve come across plenty of unique Ducati 900SS-based ventures that’ll leave just about any self-respecting rider truly lost for words. Given its solid characteristics, it’s no wonder Bologna’s behemoth became the weapon of choice for many workshops when undertaking the painstaking task of crafting a bespoke piece of two-wheeled artwork.

One such masterpiece hails from Austin, Texas, and its authors are none other than Revival Cycles’ gifted moto artists. These fellows are no strangers to the realm of custom motorcycles, having amassed an impressive selection of builds since the company’s birth. Besides specializing in meticulous motorcycle customization, the firm also deals with the distribution of top-grade aftermarket items and casual apparel.

All things considered, it goes without saying these folks mean business. In the past, a few of Revival’s most notable exploits have adorned these very pages, including a bonkers Ducati ST4 subjected to an outlandish sidecar conversion and one handsome Triumph Bobber, to name a couple. This time around, we’ll be diving in for a closer examination of the crew’s accomplishments on a 1997 variant from Ducati’s fierce 900SS lineup.

In stock guise, the 1997MY SuperSport is brought to life by a ruthless SOHC L-twin monstrosity that boasts a healthy displacement of 904cc and two desmodromic valves per cylinder head. At about 7,000 revs, this air-cooled, four-stroke mill will be more than happy to deliver as much as 84 hp and 62 pound-feet (84 Nm) of twisting force at approximately 6,400 rpm.

A six-speed transmission is tasked with handing the engine’s generous oomph over to the rear 17-inch wheel by means of a chain final drive. Ultimately, this whole ordeal leads to a generous top speed of 130 mph (210 kph). Without going into any other details, it’s quite safe to say the 900SS is no damn toy.

To kick things off, Revival’s pros removed the bike’s original bodywork in its entirety, exposing the gorgeous L-twin powerplant. The 904cc fiend itself has been completely refurbished, receiving new bearings and gaskets, as well as ported cylinder heads, rebuilt valves, and a modified crankshaft module. Thanks to a pair of Dellorto PH36 carbs and a fresh stainless-steel exhaust system, the engine also breathes a little more freely.

As soon as work on the powertrain wrapped up, the guys went about upgrading the SuperSport’s electrics with an assortment of modern items to bring it into the 21st century, including a top-grade wiring loom, LED lighting, and an aftermarket ignition setup. Furthermore, Motogadget’s beloved range was raided to obtain handlebar switches and a Motoscope Classic gauge.

Up front, suspension duties are handled by a SportClassic’s telescopic forks, while the machine’s rear end received dual shock absorbers from Ohlins’ catalog. The standard wheels have been discarded to make room for laced counterparts that wear high-performance Avon rubber. At the front, the brakes were treated to an array of Brembo components, joined by Discacciati units on the opposite end. To bring about a meaner riding stance, Revival Cycles also installed clip-on handlebars and rear-mounted foot pegs.

That’s cool and all, but the sexiest feature on this beast is, by far, that one-off alloy bodywork. To accommodate the bespoke parts, the team went as far as to fabricate a new frame from scratch, which is rather astonishing, if you ask me. You will find a drool-worthy fuel tank and venomous tail section running parallel to the ground while a single-seater leather saddle sits in between. Each and every aluminum panel was meticulously polished to achieve a mirror finish.

Last but not least, the creature was named “J63” to give it a personality of its own. Needless to say, we really dig it!