Blog — Moto Guzzi

Rua Machines *8 Guzzi Nevada

We were having such a great time at our own show that we forgot about Portugal's largest custom event, Lisboa Art&Moto that was on the same weekend in May. What's impossible to forget though is the impact Portuguese builders have had on the European scene over the last few years. I have my own theories and some Lisbon and Porto locals have shared theirs but for now let's just say that there must be something in the water. Rua Machine must down gallons of the stuff as they've yet to fail in sending us bike photos that provoke an immediate...

La Busca Motorcycles Bottle o’ Smoke

Jez from La Busca Motorcycles does like a Guzzi, which is handy as we like featuring them. That v-twin motor is so good looking it can withstand even the most hamfisted custom job. Jez doesn't do anything by halves so his bikes don't rely on mechanical architecture to make a statement, or more importantly please the customer. This latest build is based on one of the ugliest faux cruisers of all time, the 750 Nevada. Jez has welded some words together so I'll let him take over and tell us about Bottle o’ Smoke. "The idea for this build started...

Paul Milbourn Customs Guzzi 'Titanium'

Superleggera isn't a term that even the most patriotic and loyal Moto Guzzi employee would have been able to use to describe even the racier versions of their old V11. It's the character and charm at the heart of this heavy old Hector that appealed to many though, including Paul Milbourn. Paul has form when it comes to completely over engineering bikes. He's the sort of chap I admire, eminently skilful with a distinct lack of self questioning. Why take an old air-cooled lump of a bike and remake it out of titanium? There's only one answer... because you can....

Moto Studio Guzzi 1000 SP 'Moto Lino'

Miami based Moto Studio have shot another stunning Guzzi across Bike Shed's bows. We make no secret, or apologies, about our admiration for their work and have always clamoured to feature their creations when possible. For a background on the team behind the bikes check the Bike Shed archive here. This 1980 Moto Guzzi 1000SP might be the latest to roll off the bench but it was in fact the first to project undertaken by Bruce McQuiston, Moto Studio's founder, five years ago “this was simply a pet project, an outlet for my sculpture background and motor-head mind set. One...

UMC-037 VIVO

A round barrel Moto Guzzi, is there a finer looking motorcycle engine. I struggle to think of one. There's something about the aero-esque cylinder configuration that gets me all worked up. Adam Kay, co-founder of Untitled Motorcycles and bossman of the London branch, shares this obsession and despite UMC being world renowned for their BMW builds, the chance to work on a Guzzi is relished. I know when one is gestating as my inbox lights up. Sender: Adam. Subject: Guzzi!!! Potential customer Beni wandered into UMC's Finchley (NW London) workshop asking for Adam, "Guzzi" was mentioned and the kettle got...

Fratelli Brambilla Guzzi Parabolica

These days Formula 1 finds itself in torrid times, greed and politics have spoiled what was once a rarely paralleled gladiatorial spectacle. In them good old days of two-foot-wide tyres, flames and gargantuan levels of bravely, engineering seemed at the pinnacle of purity. So imagine growing up in the paddocks of the F1 circus and watching your dad duke it out against Hill, Fittripaldi, Lauda, Hunt et al. Monza local Vittorio Brambilla had an illustrious racing career on four wheels but started out on two, winning the 175cc Italian Championship in 1958. No surprise then that Vittorio's sons Roberto and...

Moto-Studio 'Stormo 219'

Those who've followed Bike Shed from the early days will be aware of our penchant for Moto Guzzis and in particular those built by Bruce McQuiston of Moto-Studio. Choosing to shy away from the perhaps simpler task of customising round barrel 850 and 1000s Moto-Studio builds, those that aren't Ducatis, tend to be based on the later and more powerful 1100 Sport.This latest build began life as a carburettored 1100 Sport from the mid-nineties. I'm sure even loyal owners of won't deny that the stock bike looks ungainly, I haven't ridden one but from what I hear it's a bike...

Nick Sharp's Guzzi Le Mans

When the term shed built was originally coined there seemed to be two approaches to bike building. The make and do mend on minuscule budgets at one end of the spectrum and at the other were talented folk capable of putting the professionals to shame. Nick Sharp is the latter, a property renovation expert by day and shed dweller by night, as well as Bike Shed show volunteer, in fact if you've been to Bike Shed London or Paris Nick probably let you through the door. Dutch bumped into Nick at the Ace Cafe nearly five years ago when he...