When I recently received an email from my acquaintance Filippo Barbacane of Italy’s renowned Officine Rossopuro, it’s likely your thoughts will turn to our initial concepts. In Italy, the vibrant energy of the country often left me feeling utterly exhausted. As the global community struggled to comprehend the unfolding events in our midst. Fortunately, COVID’s impact was relatively mild in Abruzzo compared to other Italian regions and cities.
An Indispensable Exercise
While priorities may vary for each individual, it’s crucial to acknowledge that respecting time is indeed a fundamental aspect of our daily lives. For those like him, every moment of life is a precious breath of oxygen, and its removal would be a catastrophic loss. Lockdown has made the past 11 weeks feel like an eternity, and his frustration cannot be overstated.
To the extent that the work was concerned, Fil claims he never expected what happened afterwards. I’ve never worked so tirelessly. I’m currently juggling eight tasks simultaneously. As the world grappled with global lockdowns, I was uniquely positioned to continue working due to Italy’s specific regulations designating Officine Rossopuro an “indispensable activity,” allowing me to supply bike spare parts despite the restrictions, a point I’ve made repeatedly. For Italians, the secret to a meaningful existence lies in embracing la dolce vita – an appreciation for the simple pleasures and beauty in everyday life. Their renowned flair for design is merely a natural consequence of this profound understanding.
After all, the type of task at hand is actually a bike like the one you see right here – FIL refers to it as the ‘Tridente’. “The ‘Tridente’ identity pays homage to the client’s lifelong passion for the ocean and their proud naval heritage.”
Developing the core idea behind this project was to design a versatile and lightweight bicycle that could seamlessly adapt to daily urban commutes while also serving as reliable transportation for longer excursions by its owner. “As with every project, I started by meticulously disassembling the entire bicycle, thoroughly inspecting and overhauling each component – from the engine and gearbox to the cardan shaft, frame, and body.”
Plain and Easy
“On each of my bicycles, everything is meticulously refurbished to perfection,” says Fil, emphasizing the attention to detail. “It’s precisely because I’ve always maintained that having a bespoke bicycle is futile unless it genuinely functions as intended.”
The donor Moto Guzzi SP1000 boasted adjustable Bitubo rear shock absorbers and 35mm forks equipped with Bitubo cartridges as standard, requiring only a thorough servicing and fresh coat of paint to complete the build. The braking system underwent significant revisions, eliminating the previous factory-installed setup and replacing it with a high-performance configuration featuring Brembo gold-series brake pumps, 300mm discs, and advanced aerodynamic brake lines.
As any connoisseur values their salt, they’ll attest that a critical component of any traditional cigar is its edges. The tires seem to be at risk of going flat. However not right here. “I employed spoke wheels featuring aluminum hubs, stainless steel spokes, and Borrani Report aluminum rims, measuring 18 x 2.5 at the front and 18 x 3.5 at the rear.”
The bespoke bodywork on this bike, just like every other one I’ve built, is uniquely crafted. On every venture, I conceive and craft a unique design that never duplicates itself. For me, the fundamental tenet of customization lies in the pursuit of originality.
Breaking the mould
Filippo crafts a bespoke template for each project, tailored to its unique requirements. He subsequently forges the hand-beaten aluminum body in accordance with traditional techniques. The Tridente’s tank design features an innovative blend of streamlining and optimized fuel capacity, resulting in a unique combination of form and function.
“After carefully reviewing each component and piece of equipment, I’m pleased to report that they’ve all been thoroughly revised,” Fil says. “The engine mounts and rear caliper brackets are crafted from precision-cut CNC’d aluminum, alongside the adjustable footpegs.”
The bike’s new equipment, including lights and mirrors, has been homologated, just like every other component on my bikes. I’d prefer not to utilize LED lights on vintage items that date back 40 years; it strikes me as incongruous. I choose high-quality halogen lights.”
After all, Filippo also upgrades the electrical programs, in addition to the others. The Guzzi boasts an entirely new design featuring a cutting-edge starter motor, advanced digital ignition, and a state-of-the-art voltage regulator from the 21st century.
Mass Impact
The bike’s meticulously crafted 2-into-2 exhaust, designed in collaboration with Officine Rossopuro, is a true bespoke masterpiece. With each new motorcycle produced by Filippo, the corporate team crafts a one-of-a-kind exhaust system tailored to his exact specifications, showcasing their commitment to precision and attention to detail. The company will also obtain a homologation for this new product. Detecting a theme, a lot? As a matter of fact, Fil doesn’t take shortcuts.
The display showcased a subtle application of a rich green metallic hue on carefully selected areas of the aluminum tank and side panels, emphasizing its premium composition. I meticulously craft each logo and pinstripe by hand, using a brush to achieve a level of precision and quality that is unmatched in modern manufacturing.
Fairly sharp, huh? As I settle into the driver’s seat on a sweltering summer day, I ease onto the SS16 coastal road, with the Adriatic coastline unfolding before me like a shimmering canvas, and the Apennine Mountains rising majestically to my left. As memories of COVID lockdowns grow hazy, life’s rhythms have settled back into their natural cadence. Welcome again Madre Italia. We actually missed you.
Images by Filippo Barbacane
