Mark Dugally is the true embodiment of “performance” in the world of performance art. His avant-garde creation, known as “Project Somma,” originates from MADercycles, his renowned Los Angeles-area shop. The inspiration for this masterpiece stemmed from Dugally’s visit to Pompeii, the ancient Roman city famously obliterated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
With a background in graphics artistry, Dugally has now honed his skills to work with unconventional mediums such as steel, aluminum, and carbon-fiber, giving birth to extraordinary handcrafted machines that redefine the boundaries of custom-bike building. Describing their operation, he proudly claims, “We are the epitome of unique, infused with badassery and a touch of raw ferocity.”
For this remarkable project, Dugally chose a 2002 RST1000 Futura, an Aprilia sport-tourer equipped with a potent Rotax 1000cc V-twin engine, boasting 113 horsepower. While the alloy frame and engine remained largely untouched, the defining feature lies in the distinct hump-shaped bodywork.
Covered entirely in Line-X, the same robust material used to line pickup truck beds, the bodywork exudes an aura of strength and durability. The addition of metal accents, treated with a bronze-type finish or left to weather naturally, contributes to the impression of archaic armor-plating. Mark Dugally’s Project Somma stands as a truly one-of-a-kind creation, an unmatched representation of an Aprilia bike unlike anything else in existence.
Source: Bonhams
