Back to Classics

05/06/2026

Most people know Ducati. Far fewer know that there was a time when Ducati might not have survived at all.

In 1985, Claudio Castiglioni and Cagiva stepped in to rescue the Bologna manufacturer, while simultaneously building one of the most successful rally-raid motorcycles of its era: the Cagiva Elefant.

The result was a machine that conquered Dakar, inspired the modern Ducati DesertX, and became one of the most charismatic adventure motorcycles ever built.

We've just published a new article and documentary exploring the remarkable story of Cagiva, the Castiglioni family, and the legendary Elefant 900 I.E. Lucky Explorer.

Read the full story here https://www.backtoclassics.net/news/how-cagiva-conquered-dakar-and-helped-save-italian-motorcycling/

27/05/2026

There was nothing quite like a bevel-drive Ducati in the late 1970s. 🇮🇹

The Ducati 900 SSD Darmah combined the raw character of the legendary 900 Super Sport with a more refined and practical approach to sport touring. Underneath the futuristic bodywork sat Ducati’s iconic 864cc bevel-drive Desmo V-twin: loud, mechanical, charismatic, and unmistakably Italian.

Today, the Darmah remains one of the most distinctive motorcycles ever to leave Borgo Panigale. The flowing tank and seat unit, and those gold wheels still look like they came straight from a retro-futuristic concept sketch.

In this short reel, we pay tribute to one of Ducati’s most elegant oddballs.

Would you ride one today?

18/05/2026

Before Ducati became a dominant force in MotoGP and World Superbike, there was a bold and fascinating experiment in the early 1970s: the Ducati 500 Grand Prix racer.

Designed by the legendary Fabio Taglioni, this machine marked Ducati’s return to Grand Prix racing after more than a decade away from the world stage. It was raw, ambitious, elegant engineering... and the beginning of the L-twin racing philosophy that would later define the brand.

We took a deep dive into the story behind Ducati’s first true GP twin cylinder racer, the challenges it faced, and the role it played in shaping the future of the company. A forgotten chapter perhaps, but an incredibly important one in Ducati history.

Read the full article here: https://www.backtoclassics.net/news/ducati-500-grand-prix-racing/

13/05/2026

After spending the last year in hibernation, this 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6 finally woke up again.

In this short video, we give the car its first cold start in a long time before carefully driving it back into the workshop and onto the lift, where a full service and maintenance program is about to begin.

The goal is simple: bring this wonderful GTV6 back to proper form, mechanically and cosmetically, before eventually offering it for sale to its next caretaker.

There’s something special about hearing a Busso V6 come back to life after a long silence. The sound alone makes the workshop feel like an Italian opera house with oil stains. 🎭🔧

More updates on the project will follow soon.

07/05/2026

What began as a relatively straightforward service has quickly spinned out of control. Ducati 350 Desmo 'Silver Shotgun'

What started as a straightforward service quickly spiraled into something much bigger…In this video, we dive into a 1972 Ducati 350 Desmo “Silver Shotgun” pr...

06/05/2026

This 1974 Moto Guzzi 750 S is a perfect example. A machine from a time when riding was raw, mechanical, and deeply connected.

Beautifully restored and presented in near-original condition, this 750 S combines authenticity with subtle upgrades where it matters. The result? A motorcycle that not only looks the part, but rides exactly as it should.

In a superb mechanical condition, this is a rare opportunity to own a true piece of Moto Guzzi history.

Timeless. Analog. Pure.

Now available on our website: https://www.backtoclassics.net/collection/moto-guzzi-750-s/
🎥 Full video coming soon.

25/03/2026

Our new website is live! 🎉 👉
https://www.backtoclassics.net/

Over the past couple of months, things have been a bit quieter on our end. Not because nothing was happening, but because a lot was happening behind the scenes.

Between a private move, a busy workshop full of ongoing projects, and building this new website, we’ve been fully in it.

Now that everything is coming together, we’re excited to share this next step with you.

Starting end of April, we’ll be back with regular content, new projects, and more from the workshop.

Thanks for your patience and for sticking with us! We’ve got a lot to show you. 🔧

09/02/2026

✨ Dive into a piece of motorcycle history today!

The Ducati 125 Grand Prix was pure art on two wheels, crafted by engineering genius Fabio Taglioni — a design that redefined racing elegance and performance in its era. 🇮🇹🔥

🔗 Check out the full story here: https://www.backtoclassics.net/news/ducati-125-grand-prix-a-fabulous-design-by-fabio-taglioni/

02/02/2026

We’ve reached a crossroads in the ongoing Alfa Romeo 75 build 🍀🍀🍀🍀
And this one will define the car.

Busso V6 or Nord 2.0 Twin Spark?

🟥 Busso V6
More torque. Legendary soundtrack. Smoother, more relaxed. Heavier, but effortlessly fast.

⬜ Nord Twin Spark
Lighter. Revvier. More tuning headroom. Better parts availability. More… race-oriented.

Heart or head? 🏁🏎️
Road car or weekend weapon?

If this were your Alfa 75 🍀🍀🍀🍀, which engine would you choose and why?
👇 Let us know. We’re listening.

28/01/2026

Finished: 1978 Ducati 900 Super Sport. Fully restored to original specs, just as it left the factory.

All that’s left is good weather and an open road. ☀️🏍️