This page chronicles the build of our custom build, the Bullitt 821, which is a 2016 Ducati 821 Dark. The content below is a summary charting the progress of the build, starting with the most recent working backwards. We hope you enjoy!
Bullitt 821 :: Paint Update
Our Bullitt 821 build stalled out for a little while over the summer but we’re back on track and working hard to wrap it up soon. We had dropped our tins with painter buddy, Ronnie Simmons, and went back and forth for some time with the overall design.
The design concept was to take the gloss paint and raw aluminum combo from the Panigale R and apply it to the Monster’s bodywork. Well, the true original plan was to take an actual Panigale tank and a Monster tank, saw them both in half horizontally and mate them back together. My thought was utilizing the base of the Monster tank so fitment and fuel delivery wouldn’t be an issue and massaging the Pani tank to sit up top…seemed like a match made in heaven.
After many conversations and a whiskey or three, I decided to keep the trademark Monster profile but still wanted to apply the Panigale R-inspired design. Raw steel was exposed and we wanted to confirm that the tank was in good enough shape to leave it exposed. It was.
The ‘DUCATI’ letter was left in peekaboo steel and I decided to run the accent color in a bronze to match the engine case and swingarm.
The Monster 821 Dark comes in a matte finish and while I’ve done some many things matte in the past, I felt it was time to go gloss. We went high-gloss black, and did the raw steel in a matte finish for contrast. To keep consistency across the rear cowl and front fender, we laid down a silver to mimic the raw steel as close as possible.
Not being sure about the gloss decision until I saw the final product, getting it home and on the bench, the vision became clear.
Having the completed bodywork sitting in the shop was the fuel we needed to kick this build into high gear. After sending some bits out for ceramic and powder coating, we’re ready to reassemble and get this baby back on the road. That day can’t come soon enough.
Bullitt 821 :: Quick Update
It’s been way too long since we’ve provided any update on the Bullitt 821. We’ve been busy working away and have a lot to share soon. Paint is nearly done and we’ve got some more mods in the works.
So war we owe updates on the Ducabike rear sets, Competition Werkes slip-on and New Rage Cycles fender eliminator. As you can see from the pics here, we finally pulled those nasty frame stickers.
Black ceramic coating the exhaust is a must – see mock up below.
Can’t wait to share the pics of the new bodywork. Stay tuned for more soon!
New Bullitt build :: the Bullitt 821
So I was thinking it was time for an update on the Bullitt 821 then started going through the archives, only to realize we’ve never made a single post about the newest member to the family. I know we’ve shared a handful of photos to social but I was sure there was at least an intro post here. Well, without further ado, allow me to introduce you all formally to the Bullitt 821.
If you couldn’t tell from the name, she’s a Ducati Monster 821 Dark. I wavered on this or the Monster 1200 R but ended up going for the smaller 821 package. After falling in love with the Bullitt SP, our Hyper SP, I knew I loved Ducati’s water-cooled 821 powerplant. There’s no denying that the 1200R is a killer machine, but this one was calling my name.
The Bullitt 821’s maiden voyage to Alice’s Restaurant in the Santa Cruz mountains
We’ve got big plans for this little girl, let me tell you that right now. While some of them may in fact have to be scaled back, like the BST carbon wheels we were chasing, but many of them are trudging ahead.
Fresh meat!
Part of the thought behind choosing the Monster 821 was that this was by far the less common choice for customs out there. Yes, the single-sided swing arm is a work of art. Yes, it would be nice to have it. We actually had plans to add on the M1200 swingarm, but that’s another story. Yes, the suspension on the M1200S or M1200R is awesome, but we’ve got plans for that too. Stay tuned for more…
