Generally known these days as a developer, producer, and seller of bevel-drive Ducati parts, Australian company Vee Two also produced parts for the Pantah-engined bikes and briefly dabbled in producing their own limited-production machine, the Vee Two Squalo. Based around the Ducati 900SS engine and six-speed transmission, it was a bit of a kit bike that you could order to build yourself, or as a complete machine. Styled without much subtlety by John Keogh to suggest the gills and eyes of the shark that gave it its name, the bike was really the Superlight Ducati should have built…
The Squalo engine included the usual period Ducati hot-rod tricks: a 944cc kit, hot cams from Vee Two, and a set of flat-slide Keihin FCR41 carburetors all tuned to produce an honest 90hp at the rear wheel, a fairly massive increase over the standard bike’s 70 rear-wheel horses. Forks and yokes from the 888 SP3 and Öhlins suspension meant excellent handling, while Dymag magnesium wheels saved unsprung weight for even better handling. But the biggest change was to the frame. Supplied by OVER Racing of Japan, the entire aluminum trellis frame weighed just 16.5lbs, with the braced swingarm adding an additional 10lbs.
With lightweight bodywork fitted, the complete Squalo weighed in at a shocking 330lbs dry, and a still featherweight 370lbs wet. The extreme light weight, combined with the quality suspension, brakes designed for a much heavier machine, and the significantly increased power, added up to a bike that offered performance and handling far beyond what the Ducati SuperSport of the time could provide, along with exclusivity and striking looks.
SELLER
The Squalo was designed and built by Vee Two, an Australian company specializing in high-performance Ducati modifications. The original Squalo, created in the late 1990s, was a bespoke motorcycle based on the Ducati 900SS, featuring a lightweight Over Racing aluminum frame and a tuned 944cc engine.This 2000 model year Squalo comes equipped with magnesium wheels, aluminum triple clamps and WP Forks. Öhlins rear shock and WP steering damper. The engine is a 900 SS SP with a 944 big bore kit. Keihin flat slide carburetors, Over Racing frame and rear set pegs.
It is supposed to be the only Squalo in existence that is painted dark blue and not black. For some reason the painter wouldn’t paint it black. It is also said to be 1 of 3 that were made in Australia and shipped to the US and is of course the only one in the country that is road legal.
The bike has recently had a new battery installed, the carburetors have been cleaned, confirming the accelerator pump functions, the idle is stable, and there is smooth throttle operation and easy starting. All hydraulic fluids were flushed, and the oil and filter were changed as well. New 2015 tires with zero miles.
Price $18,000 USD
If you have any questions: Please call 203-531-5252
While the looks may not be for everyone, this Vee Two Squalo is undeniably trick, with some of the very best Ducati tuning parts of the period thrown into the mix to create a rip-roaring custom that should be able to tear up a set of canyon roads or a tight track, or post up at a bike meet and set chins wagging, no matter where you go: supposedly, fewer than 100 were sold worldwide. I thought these were the coolest things going when I first got into bikes, and I was very excited to be able to write this one up. Considering what nice Ducati Superlights are going for these days, the $18,000 asking price for this genuinely super-light Ducati SuperSport seems awfully reasonable, considering the craftsmanship, componentry, heritage, and rarity. And you get all of those cool shark-gills thrown in for free!
-tad
