Enthusiast Kevin Jones of KJ Performance has spent £80,000 on this bike over the last five years. It began as a 916SP in 1997, but has now become what he describes as " probably the best privately built 996 in the UK "

He said: " Just about everything has been replaced. It’s now a fully blown, proper Corsa. The only bits left from the original machine are the frame and sub-frame. I sold the original engine a few years ago and built this motor using a set of Neil Hodgson’s racing crankcases along with brand new Corsa internals – it’s basically a 1999 British Superbike championship specification engine. "

The engine work alone came to £12,000, but give 154bhp at 11,000rpm. The exhaust is Kevin’s own design in titanium, and the fuel injection is a special Magnetti Marelli 60mm twin-point system which would set you back £3000.

The Ducati’s engine isn’t the only area of the bike where big money has been spent. The Ohlins forks are identical to those normally seen gracing the front ends of WSB racing machines – and cost £5000 – while braking is by radial-mounted AP Racing calipers, which retail at a cool £1000 each.

But the rear end is even more special. The shock is also by Ohlins – but you won’t find its like in your local tuning shop. " It is a TT44 – a unit that even BSB Corsas don’t run, " said Jones proudly. " Unlike just about all other Ohlins units, it has both high and low speed compression damping. K-Tech Suspension adapted the shock to fit. It’s a universal shock that can be used by both cars and bikes. "

The swingarm has been changed for a £1650 magnesium racing item, with a special axle which cost another £805. He’s also added a £350 thumb brake from Harris Performance. " It’s a comfort thing really, " he said. " And it gives me a better feel of what the rear brake is actually doing. "

The paint job is Jones’ design. " Addy at Ultrapaint did it for me. He prepares bikes for GSE Ducati too. He’s a real perfectionist and doesn’t use any stickers, all the lettering is painted and it takes two further coats to finish it. All in it cost me £1000! "

The bike may be special, but it does get used on the road thanks to a daytime MoT.

" First gear is very tall but then you buzz through the box with the quick-shifter and you’re doing 160mph before you know it, " said Jones. " It’s geared for about 180mph and has ballistic acceleration. It just blows all other road bikes away. The GSX-R1000 is pretty quick but it just gets left behind out of any corner. "

Understandably, perhaps, Jones refuses to ride it in the rain. " I’m obsessive about keeping it clean and I won’t take it out if I think it’s going to get wet, " he said.

After spending the equivalent of a house on his machine, Jones is now considering selling it – for £30,000. Having built this bike, he’s keen to build some more. He added: " I can build anyone a bike like this. "

Contact: KJ Performance, 01296-39916.