Written by Martin Hodgson
Over recent decades Ducati has sat near the top of the Superbike pack, with the new Panigale V4R now the absolute benchmark and undefeated in WSBK competition. But when the company introduced the Sebring 350 in 1965 it was the biggest bike in their line up and often raced against multi cylinder machines with twice the capacity. So to pay tribute to the little bike that could, Stephen Brisken has taken a beat up ’65 and beautifully transformed it into a machine that is a perfect mix of cafe and racer.

?I purchased the bike from a professional mechanic friend in Eureka, CA. He collected some unusual machines. At this point I knew nothing about Ducati’s and had never seen such a cool looking bike. Of course it was not running and was incomplete. I thought about the purchase for quite a while having never jumped into such a project.? Stephen tells us. But the Sebring kept calling his name and eventually he snapped it up.
Back home he’d assembled himself quite the workshop. This was his second home garage and he was determined to make it a very usable building fit for purpose. ?I have enough space to have a bead blast cabinet, welding, drilling, polishing machines and a small wood working area. There is also a separate smaller space for wrenching on bikes. I have great light, heat and good air flow. I have been in this shop for about three years and it continues to evolve.?

To commence the build process Stephen decided that with t...