Few shops know Italian classics quite as well as Brooklyn?s Moto Borgotaro. Owner Peter Boggia has been wrenching on Italian machinery for over two decades, having cut his teeth at the Moto Guzzi Chuck House in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Peter?s custom Guzzis have graced our pages before, but Moto Borgotaro builds much more than just traverse-twin beauties. The 1979 Ducati 900 GTS café racer you see here is a prime example. It perfectly showcases Peter’s love for all things design?and his exceptionally good taste.

Two iconic designers in particular inspired Peter’s approach to this build. The first was industrial designer Dieter Rams, the godfather of the ‘good design’ principles that went on to inspire everything from the iPod to Ikea furniture. The second was American artist Donald Judd, one of the most influential minimalists to ever live. ?I decided to go with a minimalist approach,? he explains. ?Thinking less about motorcycles, and more about the design language of industrial designers and fine artists. I also wanted a classic low silhouette that was purpose-built, with a nod to both the new and old school Ducati designers and engineers.?

In keeping with this inspiration, Peter knew he wanted a well-designed but economical chassis, with a worry-free motor to match. He decided a bevel-driven Ducati would be the ideal platform for his vision, and hunted down a 1979-model Ducati 900 GTS in the classifieds.
Once Peter got the bike into his shop...