The first generation Ducati Multistrada is one of the under-appreciated gems of the custom world. It’s got a well-earned reputation as a bang-for-the-buck bike with ?good bones??mixing competent performance and handling with quirky looks. That Terblanche-penned aesthetic is admittedly an acquired taste, but luckily for us, a handful of custom builders have figured out how to fix it.
The Coppiello brothers at North East Custom in Padua, Italy have cracked the code not once but twice. Their first Multistrada custom was a sleek cafe racer with an almost-factory feel; this time round, they?ve gone in an entirely different direction.

This new build has a futuristic vibe with a hint of supermotard styling. It’s a sharp new look for the Ducati, without compromising the riding experience. And it’s a style that plays to North East’s strengths?the guys are keen off-road riders, and supermotards are basically dirt bikes for the street. Diego and Riccardo built this 2003-model 1000 DS for a client, and picked it specifically for its value. ?We chose the Multistrada because it has a good engine and chassis,? Diego tells us, ?but it?s also a cheap Ducati?perfect for our project.?

Inspiration for the design came from the triangles that are formed by the signature Ducati trellis frame. The brothers set out to echo those shapes by fabricating all-new angled bodywork out of steel.
The setup starts with a new fuel tank, equipped with the filler cap from a Honda ...