Walt Siegl has constructed every part from 50s period Harley panheads to trendy KTM enduros. But when there’s one factor his New Hampshire-based store is understood for over the rest, it’s customized Ducatis. Particularly, his vintage-inspired Ducati Leggero builds.
Ducati Leggeros are emblematic to the Walt Siegl Bikes model. They’re equal components type and performance, design and execution, trendy efficiency and classic intercourse enchantment.
Each new Ducati Leggero that emerges from the WSM storage shares a typical and unmistakable design thread, but traditionally every new construct has been distinct from any that got here earlier than it. This 12 months, nonetheless, Walt is attempting one thing new.
“I’ve been working on my own for the previous couple of years, which I take pleasure in,” he tells us, “but it surely stretches the ready listing for my bikes to not less than two years out. This reality was discouraging to some potential shoppers and put quite a lot of stress on me personally. For the reason that Leggero is my most ordered mannequin, I made a decision to construct, for the primary time, 4 equivalent Leggeros—constructed to my most popular specs—as stock.”
It is a radical departure from the norm for Walt, and as such, required a radical reimagining of how the bikes themselves had been constructed. Discovering a technique to replicate the standard and craftsmanship of hand constructed components was a significant problem, and Walt needed to flip his present for design and engineering to the manufacturing course of itself.
Heavy-duty tooling for an autoclave system needed to be constructed by hand for the carbon fiber bodywork. New jigs needed to be constructed from scratch to make sure correct fitment of components that had been beforehand one-off items. Concrete molds needed to be forged for the distinctive aluminum tanks.
It was a monumental effort, however one which has clearly paid off for Walt. His earlier one-off builds have completely oozed the better-than-factory high quality and end that WSM is understood for. But in some way, for this new run of bikes, Walt’s potential to breed that very same degree of high quality at scale is nearly extra spectacular than the machines themselves.
Choose any one of many 4 bikes proven right here and also you’ll see what we imply. With none enter from his prospects directing the design, Walt was free to decide on finishes that intensify the floor high quality of every particular person half and materials, slightly than merely portray over them.
The swingarms, for instance, are lined in a transparent semi-gloss coating, which Walt says allowed him to showcase each the intricate welds, and the deliberate hand end utilized to the steel. The superbly formed carbon fiber bodywork is the same story, with the feel and high quality of the weave left on full show for the fairing, fender, and tail sections.
Like all Leggeros which have come earlier than, these newest 4 are additionally a love letter to the late 70s and early 80s Ducatis that Walt holds in such excessive esteem. The sweeping entrance fairing, slim tail, and distinct gas tank all hark again to the bygone period of early Ducati 750 and 900 Supersports.
Refined badging is tastefully utilized in a retro Ducati typeface. The dry clutches rattle away satisfyingly beneath their open covers. Walt’s newest Leggeros lack nothing when it comes to retro appeal—however as all the time, no stone was left unturned when outfitting these bikes with trendy efficiency.
Every of the 4 Leggeros is constructed round a chromoly WSM body. Their working gear consists of full Öhlins suspension entrance and rear, with solid OZ Racing wheels, coated gold to match. Brembo calipers clamp down on beefy Brake Tech rotors throughout, and run via braided Spiegler brake traces to Brembo grasp cylinders.
By way of engine efficiency, the brand new Leggeros are available two flavors. Two of the machines sport donor engines from Ducati 900 Supersports, whereas the opposite two use 1000 cc energy vegetation from GT 1000s.
The 900 engines have been bored out to 944 cc, whereas the 1000 cc vegetation preserve their authentic displacement. Each variations get the total efficiency therapy by Walt’s very long time engine builder, Bruce Meyers, and are completed with immaculate ceramic coatings on all outer surfaces. The listing of engine modifications is way too lengthy to dive into right here, but it surely consists of Meyers Efficiency pistons, and in depth blueprinting, porting, balancing and lightening.
Walt says the electronics for this run of Leggeros can also be a primary for the collection. Somewhat than utilizing the manufacturing facility efficiency ECUs which have adorned his earlier builds, these Leggeros sport upgraded Gas Tech ECUs and customized wiring harnesses from Racespec. These ECUs enhance the tuning potential for the 90-degree twin motors, and include the added bonus of good-looking touch-screen shows.
These pure Leggeros need for nothing in fashion or efficiency, and if you would like one for your self, we’ve acquired excellent news: you should purchase one, proper now. No two 12 months ready listing. No donor bike required.
In case you’re nonetheless on the fence, we don’t suggest hanging there for too lengthy. Two of the bikes have already bought, and if the present WSM ready listing is any indication of demand, this can be your final likelihood so as to add a brand new Leggero to the storage for a very long time.
Walt Siegl Bikes | Fb | Instagram | Pictures by Gregory George Moore
