Rough Crafts do it again with the 'Jab Launcher'

It’s fair to say that Taiwanese custom shop, Rough Crafts have a solid reputation for building some of the cleanest, meanest looking bikes in the business. A reputation that has been solidified with the latest build to emerge from their prestigious workshop.

Dubbed the ‘Jab Launcher’, the base machine is a 2016 Ducati Scrambler Icon and has been plastered in trick parts to make the bike both more aesthetically pleasing and handle much better too.

It’s the second bike from the shop this year to steal headlines after the MV Agusta Dragstar 800RR left us drooling back in July.

TOP STORIES

• Video: Listen to the new Ducati V4
• Podcast: British Grand Prix special
• MCN Fleet: GSX-R1000R gets a short back and sides
• Win! Loads of lovely goodies
• Injured rider back on the road thanks to Minster Law

“The build was for a very good friend, who has always liked Ducatis and racy-styled street bikes,” said Winston Yeh, who’s the face behind Rough Crafts.

“Something like a Panigale is too much for him as he never sees himself taking it to the track, so when the Ducati Scrambler was unveiled, he instantly told me that it would be the best base for his cafe racer.”

Winston recalls some significant changes were to take place, “The plan was simple; to make the base bike lighter, cleaner and tougher.”

The swingarm was replaced with a single-sided unit from a Ducati Monster 1100 and was paired with a custom shock from Gears Racing that would set the right stance for the bike. The Monster swingarm is also 4cm longer than the stock, meaning the new rear shock had to be made specifically to take this into account.

To accompany the new shock came a set of forks from an 1199 Panigale, which were blacked-out to match the dark theme of the bike and allowed for adjustability in the suspension. CNC Racing triple-clamps allowed the forks to be fitted to the Scrambler’s headstock.

Rough Crafts @winston_yeh #DucatiScrambler “The Jab Launcher”

A post shared by Rough Crafts (@winston_yeh) on Aug 20, 2017 at 2:59am PDT

A pair of carbon BST wheels helped reduce weight and also improve the handling. Taking control of stopping the bike was a task given to a set of Beringer brakes on both the front and rear of the machine, matched with a pair of upgraded WSBK discs from Brembo on the front.

Winston added, “The stock Scrambler drop curve seat which was inspired by the vintage Ducati Scrambler never appeals to me since it always looks kind of heavy, so we made a carbon fibre side panel set, and matched it with a cafe seat and tail kit which straightens the side line without any cutting or welding to the frame.

“We even kept the stock tail light because it works really well with the line of the bike.”

To keep the front clutter to a minimal, the LCD gauge was relocated to the tank.

“We always like a clean cockpit, but the modern electronic system makes removing the gauge a huge headache,” the Taiwanese-born, custom bike builder continued. “So we decided, instead of going through the pain of replacing the original, we modified the gas tank to relocate it instead, which opens up the front end and gives it that super stripped-back look without losing any function.” 

A Sprint Filter performance air filter helps the bike to breath easyier but that’s about as far as the engine modifications go, “We didn’t do anything internally, but just reducing weight and upgrading the suspension and brakes makes it an incredible ride. It’s almost like a completely different bike.”

Have a browse for your next bike on MCN Bikes For Sale website or use the MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.