Anthony Warnock is an ex-WSBK/MotoGP mechanic and now runs Corse Motorcycles in Perth, Australia. His specialty is late model Ducatis, having worked in Europe on the racing scene for 12 years, and for the factory itself in 2003. When he returned back to his home town, he was given the opportunity to set up his own shop—something he’d always dreamed of.
Anthony met Nat Graham-Helwig, the owner of this Ducati custom, through a mutual friend. Having worked on some of Nat’s bikes in the past (including a 1198S Corse) they became good friends.
One day, the two got talking about café racers and Sport Classics, and the next thing Anthony knew there was a 2006 Sport Classic on his bench. As Anthony puts it, “Once Nat gets something in his head, it all happens pretty quickly.”
The first goal was to build something that was different from what people had done in the past with the Ducati Sport Classic. But not defer too far away from what the bike originated from. “We looked at every part of the bike and discussed color, finish and whether we’d change it, then what options we had. We made sure we did the little things too, whether people noticed them or not.”
Because of his racing experience, this bike had to perform at the highest levels. “Having spent 12 years building race bikes in WSBK and MotoGP,” Anthony explains, “it was imperative that this bike was not just a timeless café racer to go for a cruise on, but also one I’d be more than happy to take to a local track day and throw some laps with the bigger boys.”
To get to this level, these two perfectionists spent a lot of time testing different parts and options. Like trying four sets of bars to get the seating position right, and clearance away from the tank. “We tried four different seat designs, and the paint scheme changed possibly ten times before we locked in what you see here.” In the end, both Anthony and Nat are happy with the end result. “It’s subtle but unique. It sounds and rides beautifully, and draws a crowd wherever it’s parked.”
No doubt in my mind that this Ducati will be turning heads in Perth for years to come.
Images by Hien Nguyen.
Complete list of upgrades:
• Tank & rear cowl painted in a two tone paint scheme with a gold pin stripe.
• Re-trimmed seat with white stitching with diamond quill design.
• MotoCreations Shotgun exhaust.
• Wasp Power Up Kit with twin K&N filters and power commander.
• Powder coated black headlight and instrument dials.
• 14t front sprocket, rear sprocket and 520 chain with SpeedyMoto sprocket cover.
• Woodcraft Clip-Ons.
• Brembo RCS clutch and brake Master Cylinders and levers.
• Rizoma Clutch, brake and rear brake fluid holders in black with brackets.
• Goodrich brake and clutch line kit.
• Discaccati billet front brake calipers, new rotors and titanium hardware.
• EVR clutch plate, springs, and clutch cover.
• EVR clutch slave cylinder.
• NCR oversized oil cooler.
• Öhlins front forks, rear shock, steering damper.
• Black wheels with Metzeler K3 Racetec tires.
• Pro-Bolt engine bolt kit.
• Rizoma billet timing covers with perspex windows.
• WASP Tail Tidy with Rizoma indicators.