Photo: Mandrill Garage
China is a massive country, both in terms of landmass and population. It is therefore quite difficult to say who might be the nation’s most prolific custom bike builder, but that honor may just go to one Luo Hao. He’s the founder and frontman of Mandrill Garage over in Beijing, a workshop that’s been in operation since 2012. Not long ago, Luo was approached by Ducati and tasked with creating a superb giveaway bike.
Inspired by the 750SS which took Cook Neilson to victory at Daytona in 1977, he came up with the breathtaking custom tribute pictured above. As a starting point, Mandrill was provided with a Scrambler Icon and told to let his imagination roam free. Luo’s makeover began with some digital renderings, then it came time for the donor to be dismantled and placed on the workbench.
First things first, the original swingarm made way for the gorgeous trellis item of a Ducati Monster S4RS, which was mated to the Scrambler’s chassis without too much hassle. Rear-end suspension duties are now assigned to an adjustable shock absorber from Ohlins. The same brand makes an appearance at the front, as well, with a premium pair of upside-down forks sourced from a new, V4-powered Duc.
Sturdy Brembo brakes are also present in that area, comprising radial calipers and drilled rotors. To finish off the rolling chassis, Mandrill Garage added a set of Y-spoked Marchesini wheels from the aforementioned S4RS, with grippy Pirelli tires hugging their rims. With the footgear installed, the project’s author moved on to the bodywork.
The 750SS inspiration couldn’t be more apparent here, thanks in no small part to the handmade fairing installed up front. It’s placed on bespoke aluminum mounting hardware and joined by a carbon fiber front fender lower down. The stylish fuel tank fitted center-stage is a custom-built part, too, and so are all the garments placed further back. Most notably, there is a classy one-off tail section flanked by carbon fiber number boards.
Lighting comes from LED componentry fore and aft, while the cockpit area is now home to clip-on handlebars kitted with top-shelf Brembo master cylinders. To bring the sporty ergonomic package full circle, this setup is complemented by the repurposed rearsets of another Ducati Monster. Then there is that plain black leather saddle, looking rather handsome without distracting one’s eye from what’s around it.
As for the exhaust system, it’s been put together using a Hypermotard’s headers and a high-grade silencer from Arrow. The last piece of the puzzle was, of course, the paint job. It is a clear nod to Neilson’s race-winning 750SS, from the blue and silver hues adorning the bodywork, right down to the gold wheels and number 31 graphics on the rear plates.
First things first, the original swingarm made way for the gorgeous trellis item of a Ducati Monster S4RS, which was mated to the Scrambler’s chassis without too much hassle. Rear-end suspension duties are now assigned to an adjustable shock absorber from Ohlins. The same brand makes an appearance at the front, as well, with a premium pair of upside-down forks sourced from a new, V4-powered Duc.
Sturdy Brembo brakes are also present in that area, comprising radial calipers and drilled rotors. To finish off the rolling chassis, Mandrill Garage added a set of Y-spoked Marchesini wheels from the aforementioned S4RS, with grippy Pirelli tires hugging their rims. With the footgear installed, the project’s author moved on to the bodywork.
The 750SS inspiration couldn’t be more apparent here, thanks in no small part to the handmade fairing installed up front. It’s placed on bespoke aluminum mounting hardware and joined by a carbon fiber front fender lower down. The stylish fuel tank fitted center-stage is a custom-built part, too, and so are all the garments placed further back. Most notably, there is a classy one-off tail section flanked by carbon fiber number boards.
Lighting comes from LED componentry fore and aft, while the cockpit area is now home to clip-on handlebars kitted with top-shelf Brembo master cylinders. To bring the sporty ergonomic package full circle, this setup is complemented by the repurposed rearsets of another Ducati Monster. Then there is that plain black leather saddle, looking rather handsome without distracting one’s eye from what’s around it.
As for the exhaust system, it’s been put together using a Hypermotard’s headers and a high-grade silencer from Arrow. The last piece of the puzzle was, of course, the paint job. It is a clear nod to Neilson’s race-winning 750SS, from the blue and silver hues adorning the bodywork, right down to the gold wheels and number 31 graphics on the rear plates.
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