This Month's Featured Bike:
"Black Fog"

Mike Banker's 2002 Ducati Monster S4 Foggy Limited Edition

Design Intent:

To build a unique and decidely different Ducati Monster S4
as if it was a pre-production prototype by Ducati.

DML Builders:

Mark Savory at MotoCreations -- design, fabrication, assembly;
Stuart Baker (Duck-Stew) at Flight Cycles -- engine work;
Nate (DucPainter) at Frosty Finishes -- paintwork

DML vendors utilized:

SpeedyMoto, CA-Cycleworks and Dave Roosevelt at Ducati Seattle

Mike Banker note: This story of this bike began when I saw it on ebay, a salvage special. It was in such poor condition that I doubted that it was really a Foggy at first. I had run out of billet parts to slap on my '00 900 Dark, so I decided to borrow a pickup truck and drive up to New Hampshire and grab it the next day. I got a good price on it, but shortly after getting it home I started to have serious regrets. In an attempt to share my misery with the world, I posted some pics on the DML. The responses basically fell into three categories: humor, sympathy, and helpful advice. Some a combination of the three, but I was inspired.

I began a dialog with Mark at MotoCreations about advice on righting all that had been wronged on the rear suspension, a failed attempt at an SSS conversion. That turned into deeper discussions regarding an overall vision for the bike, and I soon realized it would require skills that I just did not possess. After all, a man's gotta know his limitations. I wanted a Dark Foggy, I wanted to finish the SSS, and I wanted Mark to do it. I was familiar with his work, but it was really his ideas regarding a pre-production theme and how he really seemed to understand what I wanted and then how to take it even further that convinced me. The result is everything I had envisioned and more; there is so much sublety that it's the kind of bike that, the more you look at it, the more you appreciate what Mark has accomplished.

What followed was alot of shipping parts all over the place, and alot of cross-country conversations and emails. The finished product has very little to do with me, and everything to do with the skills of Mark, Nate, and Stu. But the Black Fog will be no garage queen, that would be a worse sin than that which the original owner committed in the first place!

Side view of finished Black Fog

Front three-quarter view of Black Fog

MotoCreations note: This was a unique Ducati Monster for us! We are reknown for our Ducati-powered custom cruisers, but our Monsters and race-oriented bikes are not always as well publicized to the general public. The coolest thing about this project was Mike Banker allowing us to run with the pre-production theme on the bike. We didn't want any "blingy" aftermarket accessories that distracted one from seeing the overall look of the bike. This motorcycle is definitely about the subtle details that appear as you look at it longer. The rear tail chop. The chromoly rearsets that also act as swingarm pivot supports. There are a lot of small changes throughout. And the monochromatic colorization-- the cast grays, semi-gloss and then various shades of gloss paint increasing in shine the higher you get. "Black Fog" really pops in person -- pictures don't do it justice.

Mike -- we really hope you enjoy how "Black Fog" turned out. Hopefully you get the same reaction that we have from the Ducati and non-Ducati enthusiasts in its few appearances while here in Arizona.

Thanks, Mark Savory - MotoCreations.com

Showcasing a view of the modifications done

BoomTube exhausts, chromoly rearsets, SBK linkage and swingarm, frame gussets and engine detailing.

Flight Cycles note: Mike's 916 engine was in good used shape when I got it, but it needed freshening. The 2002 + up Ducati engine paint doesn't hold up well to spilled gas and oil, and was flaking a lot around the engine. So, the top end of the engine needed to come off and get it's paint stripped. After the engine paint was stripped, then acid etching primer was painted on before the final two coats of engine paint went on. During the rebuild, all new gaskets went on, timing belts and a fresh valve adjustment too. Cast-Iron grey went on the engine cases, with semi-gloss black on the side covers.

Stuart Baker - Flight Motorcycle Company

Left side of bike showing how everything got integrated

Ground level shot showing the undertail treatment

Frosty Finishes note: Mike originally contacted me about fixing a dented, leaky tank. We got talking and he figured out that I painted too. He told me about a project he was working on and had some ideas for the paint scheme that would retain some of the original Foggy look while incorporating the seat into the mix. It got pretty complicated, but I did my best to suggest that simple is best. I offered some suggestions/feedback as Mike came up with design ideas. Most of them were in keeping with the keep it simple theme.

The tank was a mess. Not only did it leak, but also it looked like it had been in a junkyard for years. He also had to locate most of the items I ended up repairing for him. His project bike was truly all that and a bag of chips, meant in a good way. In the end I think Mike came up with a real beauty, simple yet elegant. It's as a Monster was meant to be.
Nate Weiner - Frosty Finishes

Introduction:

Bike was purchased as salvaged in New Jersey. Someone had made an ill-fated attempt at building a SBK singlesided swingarm conversion to the bike. Damage was thus: swingarm pivot bolt unsupported and bent; non-functional exhaust system; shock linkage was non-effective; seat frame damaged due to swingarm torque and being dropped; gastank damaged; misc parts damaged; right rearset mounts missing; general condition was pretty poor; but the engine and forward frame / components looked in good condition.

Some of you might also remember the "What not to do to a Foggy" thread on the DML also: DML Foggy Thread

Check out the exhaust system welds and shock linkage assembly!

This is not how to properly support the pivot assembly for the SBK linkage assembly!

As the bike arrived at MotoCreations in Phoenix, Arizona

Check out the general condition of the S4 Foggy

There was a slight chainline problem...

Modifications:

There were many changes made to the frame and new components constructed at MotoCreations. The rear shock pivot assembly was properly done. New swingarm pivot bolt installed and stainless engine case swingarm inserts made to correct damage from prior work. Unique rear "tail chop" created to simplify the look at the rear of the bike. (note: no more frame tube ends!) Frame gussets were added, ala Foggy's early race bikes. Chromoly rearsets made to integrate with frame and support swingarm pivot bolt ends. Custom rear seat latch. Voltage regulator, shock reservoir and other components mounted. Gauge cluster lowered. U-clamp for headlight modified. Small clamps, brackets modified to hide wires and sensors better. Rear seat frame itself straightened from prior damage. Frame alignment check and verified on frame jig.

Plus misc other small tweaks, changes, etc as things went along.

The SBK upper pivot assembly properly located and welded

Some of the modifications in metal before powdercoat and painting

Why didn't the factory do it this way? Rear grab handles removed and rear frame tucked behind the taillight lens itself. Rear grab handles then slid back 2" and then reattached. No more beer tray frame kink or tubing. It looks so much cleaner.

Assembly:

The engine in the interim was routed to Stuart at Flight Cycles in Pasadena, CA. While there the engine paint was stripped, the engine given a once over and repainted with dark cast gray for the cases themselves, semi-flat for internal items and semi-gloss for outer items, such as the case covers, inspection covers, etc.
The intention was to create a black bike but with "depth" created by this style of paint treatment. The bodywork was repaired by Nate at Frosty Finishes and it is beautiful without a doubt. Again the emphasis was to create a black bike but with ties back to its Foggy heritage and a pre-production prototype design direction
with the frame and component modifications / parts.

BoomTubes made from SBK exhaust tubing and retaining all Ducati part numbers to confuse enthusiasts later

Parts via CA-Cycleworks, SpeedyMoto and Ducati Seattle. There were more "Christmas packages" like this as the bike went back together.

Parts back from powdercoating in 90% black -- done to allow the gloss black bodywork to be the initial highlight when the bike is first viewed

Aircraft stripper and removing of the original paint from the engine and other components

Finished engine at Flight Cycle before going back to MotoCreations for final assembly stage

Next stop is ForwardAir to Mike Banker in New Jersey!

This Month's Featured Bike: "Black Fog"

Click here for past featured bikes

This Month's Featured Bike:
"Black Fog"