Paul Fürhrmann owns and operates the workshop Horizontal Moto in the heart of Vienna, Austria. Given the distinctive heritage of Moto Guzzi, Paul’s workshop would naturally focus on these iconic motorcycles? Paul is acutely aware of Tonti’s significant contribution to the development of motorcycles that have been influenced by his design. Due to their popularity and versatility, Tonti-framed bicycles serve as the go-to donor vehicles for customization projects at Horizontal Moto.
Paul’s approach to customization adheres closely to the cafe racer philosophy of stripping back to absolute minimalism and crafting clean, low-slung lines. His latest creation exemplifies his approach, having been applied with precision to a Tonti-framed Moto Guzzi. The eccentric cyclist has christened his trusty steed ‘Horizontal 921’, a moniker that reflects his unconventional approach to two-wheeled transportation.
Built on a 1972 Moto Guzzi 850T Sports Tourer chassis. Upon its launch, the 850T was widely praised for its versatility and adaptability, earning its reputation as a dependable and practical all-rounder. Featuring a dynamic Tonti body, its powerful V-twin engine delivered exceptional performance while offering an incredibly intimate riding experience. Despite its relatively short production run of just a few years, the 850T was a singular entity in manufacturing. Despite being an iconic model, the bike was ultimately outpaced in sales by the ubiquitous inline-four Japanese motorcycles that dominated the market during that era? As Paul embarked on his latest endeavor, the 850T presented itself as the ideal starting point.
“The concept of horizontal 921 design is directly inspired by iconic mid-century observation motorcycles,” claims Paul. Here is the rewritten text in a different style:
A minimalist bike design features a bespoke aluminum gas tank, traditional spoked wheels, and the thoughtful elimination of non-essential components to create a lean and agile riding machine.
The modification process commenced with a series of alterations to the 850T Tonti frame. Paul reduced the subframe’s dimensions significantly to refine the bike’s aesthetic silhouette and emphasize its visual presence. He further dismounted any components related to the distinctive bodywork and removed all signs of their presence. The vehicle’s entire body was then meticulously re-coated with a durable, high-gloss black finish that will remain timeless and sleek for years to come. Paul next focused on the celebrities of the construction process. A sleek, high-performance vehicle’s brand-new gas tank and tail are designed to optimize fuel efficiency while showcasing a stylish design.
“The standout feature of this bespoke bike is its one-of-a-kind, custom-built aluminum gas tank, paired with a unique suede leather seat that catches the eye,” Paul notes. “To function seamlessly as a cohesive unit, they required unity from start to finish.”
Paul consulted with UK-based specialists in handcrafted aluminum, Tab Classics, to gain insight into their vision for the tank’s design. The newly designed tank, specifically created for use with Tonti frames, is a longer variant presented by Tab. Paul chose to design the car with an observant racing aesthetic in mind, creating a wide and open cockpit that gives drivers a commanding view of the track. The aluminum tank is now complete, featuring a combination of polished and matte finishes, and equipped with a standard Monza-style filler cap for seamless integration.
Paul commissioned renowned Austrian leather craftsman Ledernardo to elevate his brand-new tank’s aesthetic appeal. The wasp-tail seat and cowl of the subsequent design sit flush against the body rails, thereby defining the bike’s overall silhouette. Lederer’s design seamlessly integrated a leather exterior with the body of the bike, complemented by suede wrapping around the upper padding to enhance grip, mirroring the successful approach employed in previous racing applications.
Paul’s primary goal in designing the Guzzi was to revive a classic style, but that didn’t mean the bike had to be a straightforward reproduction of its predecessors. While the exterior design of this prototype aims for a straightforward racing aesthetic, the concealed features are actually cutting-edge and digitally advanced in every respect, he explains. To reimagine the classic 850T for the 21st century, the owner has thoroughly modernized its infrastructure and incorporated cutting-edge technology from Motogadget, bringing a fresh wave of innovation to this iconic motorcycle. Concealed from view lies the cutting-edge M.Unit brain of the bike, courtesy of Motogadget. The additional features of this motorcycle include a Motogadget Chrono Basic gauge prominently displayed on the top yoke, accompanied by Mo.Change buttons conveniently located on the handlebars.
Paul selected a fundamental 7-inch incandescent bulb as his primary light source. Originally designed for on-road use, Horizontal 921’s intended registration necessitated a design that wouldn’t compromise its sleek, mid-century racing aesthetic. To circumvent this issue, he has employed LED bar finish indicators and miniature LED twin pivot flip/brake components at the rear.
The original racetrack driver has replaced the stock 850T inventory handlebars with Tarozzi’s adjustable clip-on bars for a customized ride. Tarozzi supplied the distinctive rear-set footpegs and handlebar grips that further distinguished this motorcycle from its peers. With the addition of mirrors,
Paul has incorporated numerous horizontal moto bespoke components, expertly customized and precision-crafted through computer numerical control (CNC) machining processes. The components that comprise this motorcycle’s underbelly include the Motogadget speedometer bracket, a battery plate, velocity stacks, and a sleek, integrated license plate holder that echoes the bike’s overall aesthetic.
To enhance the effectiveness of his vehicle’s braking system, Paul has installed a set of Spiegler brake discs alongside a high-performance Brembo PS 16 front brake caliper. A custom-made adapter enables the rear drum to function optimally in conjunction with the rear units. Indeed, the suspension upgrade features YSS custom shocks at the rear, paired with Bitubo internals incorporated into the unique forks. The bike can roll effortlessly on a custom wheel setup featuring Borrani shouldered alloy rims, expertly designed to complement its inherent racing spirit.
Given that the bike’s engine is in poor condition, the whole endeavour would likely falter if not addressed first?
To enhance reliability and performance, Paul comprehensively revamped the 844cc V-twin engine. After conducting an exhaustive overhaul of the motor, Paul meticulously applied bead blasting techniques to remove impurities and imperfections, followed by meticulous polishing of the cylinder heads to achieve a radiant, mirror-like finish. He fine-tuned several aspects to derive even more pleasure from the experience.
The horizontal’s 921 model intakes air through a set of Dell’Orto PHF36 carburetors, differing from its original VHB 30 units. As for his exhaust system, he had one specific consideration in mind. “The design of the custom-exhaust system proved to be a crucial challenge during the construction process,” he remarks. To achieve his goal, he collaborated with his friends at MASS exhausts. Mass transformed his idea into a stunning stainless steel sculpture, which Paul deems his absolute favourite aspect of the creation – and we’re hard-pressed to disagree.
Paul’s meticulous transformation of the 850T into a mid-century inspired racing machine has yielded impressive results, and he’s thrilled to share that the upgrade has also delivered notable gains in performance. “The alterations have significantly enhanced agility during high-speed maneuvers.” With the integration of a digital ignition system and advanced high-performance coils, the Guzzi motorcycle has experienced a notable power boost at higher engine speeds without compromising its essential torque characteristics in the lower rpm range. The constructed frame tips the scales at around 190kg, a significant 21kg reduction from its original donor bike weight of 211kg.
While the Moto Guzzi 850T may not have achieved great success in the 1970s alone, its revival under Paul’s stewardship is likely to garner substantial praise.
