From Sport-Tourer to Tribute

The Ducati ST2 isn’t usually the starting point for a Paul Smart homage, but that’s exactly why this build works so well. Robin Ludwig of Rind Performance grabbed a humble 2000 ST2 and reshaped it into a sharp tribute to the Ducati Paul Smart 1000 LE. Even the name, “Paolo Accorto,” plays off Smart’s name in Italian and hints at the personality baked into the finished bike.

Stripped Down and Reimagined

The first move was shedding the bulky touring fairings and trimming the ST2’s long, soft silhouette. With the bodywork gone, the trellis frame finally comes alive, and the whole bike starts leaning toward SportClassic vibes in all the right ways. Clean, tight, and ready for a new identity.

A New Face Inspired by the PS1000LE

Up front, a Paul Smart–style fairing wraps around a premium LED headlight, mounted with custom hardware that keeps everything tidy and intentional. Aftermarket clip-ons and bar-end mirrors sharpen the stance. The carbon fender stays from the original ST2, a small reminder of where this thing started.

Compact Tail, Café Attitude

The rear end gets completely reworked with a squared-off café tail perched on the subframe. An Alcantara seat keeps it sleek, and a billet tail tidy handles lighting without adding clutter. The transformation from sport-tourer to café-inspired custom becomes impossible to miss from this angle.

S2R Swingarm and Marchesini Wheels

A single-sided trellis swingarm from a Ducati S2R changes the whole geometry of the bike. Matching five-spoke Marchesinis complete the look, wrapped in Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP rubber. The upgrade not only modernizes the stance but also pushes the build firmly into performance territory.

Subtle Engine Upgrades

Rind Performance kept the ST2 powerplant mostly stock but tightened up the supporting hardware. A smaller radiator handles cooling duties, and a bespoke two-into-one exhaust system cleans up the underside far better than the original arrangement. It’s purposeful, neat, and visually cleaner than the factory Paul Smart setup.

Finishing Touches

The teal blue frame and silver bodywork seal the deal, echoing the livery of the PS1000LE without feeling like a copy. Old-school Ducati graphics add the right amount of nostalgia. It’s a smart, restrained tribute built from an unlikely donor, and that’s exactly what makes Paolo Accorto such a standout.