The bevel era is part of Ducati folklore. The engineering prowess of Fabio Taglioni made the British bikes of the 1970s look prehistoric, and bestowed a rosy glow over the Italian motorcycle industry?just before the Big Four Japanese makers turned the superbike world on its head.
The ?round case? bevels are fondly remembered and sold well, but the later ?square case? bikes weren?t quite so popular. Designer Giorgetto Giugiaro restyled the engine covers, but most folks regarded the new look as a retrograde step.

Walt Siegl is well known for his expertise with Ducatis, and for his latest build, he?s had a crack at the square case. It?s called ?Bedeveled? and it was a commission from Bobby Haas, the man behind the incredible Haas Moto Museum in Dallas. ?Mr. Haas let me pick the concept,? says Walt. ?I chose an 80s style Ducati: I wanted to use one of the last of the glorious big Bevels, and build a racer around the square case engine.?

It would be a pure race bike, with no concessions to comfort. And although most builders would probably pick the ?round case? Desmo engine, Walt wanted the challenge of using the later style Bevel??to prove that one can still build a sexy machine around that engine design.?
Haas loved the idea.

Bobby and his museum director traveled from Dallas to the small town of Harrisville, New Hampshire, to visit Walt in his workshop. Heads were knocked together and design ideas tossed around.
As always, Walt wanted to build a sporting machine that ...