Does this Duc look familiar? If you have a sneaking suspicion that this isn’t the first time you’ve seen an almost all carbon 1098S in the pages of SSB, you’d be right. A little over a year ago we featured one of Jim Muhich’s Ducati superbikes and it received more fan mail than the North Pole before Christmas. In the spirit of giving, we felt a return visit to an underweight Italian model would undoubtedly be well received.
Finding a similar build for the new year proved easier than buying HGH at the Jersey shore. It turned out Jim’s Cycle and Performance built two nearly identical carbon fiber covered 1098S featherweights. Regret from selling the first led to going even further with the second, explained Jim: “We bought two at the time; one to ride and the other to build. After we sold the first one we had nothing to take to shows. I decided to go ahead and do another because my guys at the shop liked the way the first Duc was set up so much that they thought it was crazy to have sold it in the first place. With the second one we also made a lot of changes.”
Sticking to the “light is right” theme, carbon fiber found its way onto just about every nook and cranny where it wasn’t already placed from the factory. From BST wheels to a carbon fiber kickstand, the pounds were whisked away until the bike weighed nine pounds less wet then it did originally dry. The massive weight reduction drastically changed the ride, as expected: “This is one of the lightest bikes we’ve ever built. The only drawback of living in [Chicago] is if a good gust of wind hits you on the freeway it just blows you all over the place. If you are out and the wind is 35 MPH you actually have to lean into it to ride straight. It’s also a wheelie monster. It’ll definitely come up all the way through fourth without any problems.”
Ducati red hoses and frame...
Ducati red hoses and frame plugs painted to match the frame break up endless carbon components.
The unique bits are what are so intriguing about this carbon fiber redux. Take for instance the LeoVince headers and midpipe mated perfectly into angled Resound cans (the pipes are from Latvia). Add to that a Microtech ECU tuned for more midrange above 3,000 RPM and you’ve got 159.8 thrusting ponies.
Ceramic rotors dissipate heat...
Ceramic rotors dissipate heat faster than Brembo binders shed speed.
If stopping power is more your speed you’ll rejoice at the front. A cross-drilled Sicom T-Drive rotor (also found on rear) and big buck Brembo binders are far from an everyday setup. Anodized black Öhlins legs aren’t so bad either. The Sitcom carbon fiber/graphite composite rotors won’t be something you see often but are well worth the coin if extreme weight reduction is your goal. Whether you agree or disagree with the cross-drilled pattern, there is no arguing with their beauty. They’re claimed to be extremely light, dissipate heat quickly and aid in a total package of reduced rotating mass.
This bike is made for a closed course—unfortunately risking a carbon fiber yard sale on track has kept it out of a single pit lane. Wrecking such an aesthetically awesome piece of machinery would be a shame (though so would never riding it full out). Much of its “at a glance” appeal comes compliments of carbon fiber bodywork and the DP aluminum tank, which is lighter and holds more fuel than stock. An untrained eye might miss the fact that Jim wrapped the front fairing and belly pan with 3M brushed titanium vinyl that he then coated with ten percent black clearcoat. This easy to miss enhancement complimented the brushed aluminum tank, which was also layered with the same clearcoat.
Since completion this outrageous Duc has garnered crowds of attention. Getting it to where it is wasn’t cheap—staggering actually—but the final product is a stunning example of Italian excess.
If you have never heard of...
If you have never heard of Resound exhaust systems blame it on poor Latvian advertising firms.
At first glance these bikes are exactly the same: similar horsepower, nearly identical weight and almost indistinguishable looks. After much scrutiny the real differences separate a staggering carbon custom from what could be a manufacturer-made prototype. Jim’s latest 1098S was designed as a mock prototype the executives at Ducati could have happily unveiled back in ’08: “To me it’s all about the detail. I tried to make it something like the factory would release. I don’t go for the bling effect anymore. Years ago I went for all the chroming and polishing but lately I’ve shied away from that.”
Obvious differences between the two include the clutch case, vinyl wrap, seat, rotors and exhaust, but dig deeper (or see spec sheet) and you will find an impressively long list of changes that amounted to approximately $30K in aftermarket upgrades—it costs a lot to look this good.
2008 Ducati 1098S
Front End: BST carbon wheel, Sicom brake rotors (320mm), Spiegler brake lines, Staubli quick release brake line couplings, Brembo RCS master cylinder, monobloc calipers and remote adjuster, Moto Corse reservoirs, Öhlins R&T 803 forks and steering damper
Rear End: BST carbon wheel, 520 RK chain, Alth sprockets with quick change carrier, Sicom ceramic rotor, Spiegler brake line, Staubli quick release coupling, Rizoma brake reservoir, Öhlins TTX shock, Sato Racing adjustable rear link assembly, FG Gubellini aluminum subframe
Motor: LeoVince headers/mated to Resound mufflers, Microtech ECU, Pipercross air filter, Brembo clutch, EVR slave cylinder (30mm) and slipper clutch assembly
Paint: Jim’s Body Shop
Accessories: DP aluminum tank, titanium bolts, carbon fiber tank quick release, Gilles rearsets, Sato Racing brake lever, Nichols Manufacturing triple trees (30mm offset), carbon fiber air ducts w/o baffles, CNC rear sprocket hub cover, AEM titanium cush drives, Saddleman seat, Carbonvani carbon fiber fairing stay, custom LED taillight, 55-watt HIDs, HealTech gear indicator, Moto Corse frame plugs and screen, Rizoma clutch cover, Melotti Racing bar ends and license plate holder, Shorai battery, Ducati silicone hose kit, KurvyGirl Dzus fasteners, Cox Racing guards, Kyle Racing throttle tube, Double Dog Moto carbon fiber kickstand, Speedymoto riser bars and water pump housing
Builder: Jim’s Cycle & Performance
Owner: Jim Muhich