DB1R
Bimota Other (1986) San Leandro, United States
A forgotten factory racing frame wakes up in the 21st century.
On May 4th 2018, this 32-year-old frame finally became a complete motorcycle. After searching for a DB1 frame for nearly a decade, I came across this example about five and half years ago. Beaten-up and slightly twisted, at one point it was buried under a pile of Italian motorcycle parts in a trailer.
At first, the goal was simple: build a street-legal DB1 with 17” wheels and a single-sided swingarm. Starting with a factory racing frame (1 of 10 known to have been produced) was a bonus I wasn’t expecting.
Special thanks to my father - Mike Cecchini (Bimota News USA in the 1990s), Bimota Classic Parts, DK Design, Desco Atelier, Robert Grauer, Gonsel's Machine Shop, Dr. Desmo, Syd’s Cycles, and Gowanloch Ducati. Without their insight, abilities, and passion, this motorcycle wouldn’t exist today.
Specifications:
Curb weight: 350 lb. (159 kg); 55 lb. lighter than the donor Ducati; 25 lb. lighter than a DB1. Horsepower: 87, halfway between a DB1R (92) and a DB1SR (82).
Ducati S2R 800 - single-sided swingarm, engine, fuel injection, gauges, etc. Bimota Classic Parts - rear suspension rocker, front subframe, seat, etc. BST carbon fiber wheels - front 5.1 lb., rear 6.9 lb., South Africa. Brembo - GP2 calipers, 320 mm rotors, master cylinders, Italy. MotoWheels - caliper adapters, CA Spiegler front brake line, OH. DK Design - paint, bodywork modifications, etc., CA. AirTECH - bodywork, CA Desco Atelier - swingarm modifications, fuel cell modifications, etc., CA. Robert Grauer - steering head bearing adapter, CA. Gonsel's Machine Shop - rearset plates, CA. ProItalia - rearset controls, CA. Dr. Desmo - front and rear reservoir caps, IL. Battery Tender - lithium iron phosphate battery, 1.76 lb., FL. QD - stainless steel exhaust system, Italy. Showa - front forks, gold anodized, Japan. Penske - rear shock, PA. Oberon - clutch slave cylinder, England. SpeedyMoto - triple trees, CA. Woodcraft - 1.5” rise clip-ons, MA. Bestem - carbon fiber front fender, GA. Gustafsson Plastics - windscreen, FL. Frame Man - frame straightening, CA. Aluminum fuel cell - 4.5 gallons, Germany. Titanium - toolkit, unsprung hardware, etc.
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17 months ago
I've since found the frame number under the paint and it turns out to be DB1R #201. "1986, #00201, engine DM650L-612149, a "Corsa" per Bimota factory paperwork, bike was imported into Florida, USA alongside bike #00200 in February 1986.[39] Raced by Davide Tardozzi at Daytona in March 1986. Raced by AMA racer James Lombardo, PA, from 1986 to 1990.[40] #00201 was thought to be destroyed in a crash/fire on the banking of Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina in 1990. Parts that survived the crash (except for the damaged frame that was later repaired/repainted) and new parts were assembled/restored using NOS Strada frame #00700 with new factory bodywork sourced at the time of the crash and the original factory-built race engine restored by Fast by Ferracci, now in the Bimota Spirit Museumin North Carolina. The original frame (#00201) was stored at Cycle Specialties in Athens, GA for many years until PB, GA, sold it to GR, NY, at Barber Motorsports Park, AL, in October 2011. Then sold to AC, CA, in October 2012 and built into a street bike, using engine RAA5008020, completed in May 2018.[41]"
17 months ago
@Scratchingman Thanks! Just seeing your comment. The bike has rear turn signals in the license plate frame and a left bar-end mirror. The donor bike was already registered so this should suffice from here on out.
52 months ago
That thing looks absolutely amazing! Do you need indicators and mirrors to get it registered?
52 months ago
Stunning build
73 months ago
That single-sided swingarm looks absolutely amazing. I can’t imagine what it was like seeing it in person for the first time over 30 years ago. Crazy to think you got it down to 350lbs, 4lbs/hp! Amazing story.