There’s loads in a reputation. Headquartered in Vienna, Horizontal Moto named its company after its innovative approach to motorcycle manufacturing. According to Paul Fuhrmann, a team member, the focus is on creating motorcycle designs that are both clear in their aesthetic, low-profile, and straightforward in their execution. Their inaugural foray into the world of cafe racers was perfectly in tune with the aesthetic, as evidenced by their Moto Guzzi V50 III project.
Horizontal Moto is a newly established workshop based in Vienna, specializing in the restoration and customization of Moto Guzzi motorcycles. Faced with the challenge of building a bike capable of propelling them to prominence in their field, they seized the opportunity presented by a modest but timely benefactor.
Introduced in 1981, the Moto Guzzi V50 III marked a significant update to the renowned V50 series. The Yamaha V50, a compact motorcycle that, despite its innovative design, suffered from sluggish performance compared to the high-performance sportbikes that dominated the roads in the early 1980s? Despite its intentions, Moto Guzzi didn’t rush to set any speed records with the V50. As a makeshift replacement, they had to improvise a bicycle for the masses. In a parallel approach to Japanese manufacturers’ tactics for achieving similar performance levels in Ultra-High-Speed Maglevs.
While the V50 III didn’t garner the acclaim Guzzi had hoped for in the US market, it still enjoyed moderate success within the EU. While a notable improvement in terms of reliability and efficiency compared to its predecessors, the bike never truly earned the reputation as a high-performance machine on par with Modena’s impressive V7 Sport. Despite the Horizontal Moto workforce being well-prepared, this Italian brand still held significant potential to make a strong impression.
The goal was to reduce the bicycle to its simplest form while preserving its fundamental essence, explains Paul Fuhrmann from the HM team, resulting in a truly minimalist design that stays true to its core characteristics.
The rebuild began by revamping the fundamental structure of the V50 III chassis. Following a meticulous assessment of what to retain and what to discard, they removed the unnecessary formatting from the text’s main content. To streamline the Guzzi’s silhouette and amplify its road presence. Like many eighties motorcycles, the V50 III’s tail section and saddle were imposing in scale. With their original shape now largely diminished, the rear of the body was carefully trimmed down to create a sleek foundation for a custom-designed saddle. The entire assembly was then clad in a sleek, modern layer of high-gloss black lacquer.
“The V50 arrived with us in excellent condition overall,” says Paul, “but we’ve since mechanically overhauled the engine and transmission.”
The revised text is: For the V50 III Moto Guzzi’s upgraded version, the bike’s power output was boosted to a notable 48 horsepower. By pairing the longitudinal V-twin engine with larger 28mm Dell’Orto carburetors, engineers installed more substantial valves and increased both the intake and exhaust port diameters to enhance overall performance. To truly unlock the potential of these options, owners of Horizontal Moto bikes should consider pairing their vehicle with velocity stacks and a carefully selected set of period-correct, upswept LaFranconi mufflers that perfectly complement its design. Every detail was meticulously refined to harmonize seamlessly.
This V50 III features an entirely customised wiring harness, streamlined to meet its specific needs. The all-new lighting features bar-end flip alerts designed to provide a clear and intuitive indication of the lighting’s status. A sleek LED taillight discreetly nestles onto the licence plate bracket behind the rear wheel, aligning with its unpretentious design aesthetic, as all cables are expertly routed to remain inconspicuous.
With the Fehline clip-on handlebars successfully installed, Horizontal Moto went a step further by upgrading to sleek aftermarket switches and controls for enhanced performance and aesthetics. A sleek aftermarket speedometer proudly occupies its new position above the meticulously restored triple clamps, while the headlight is elegantly suspended from sturdy Tomaselli brackets.
Paul notes that the V50’s design yields a remarkably retro café racer aesthetic. “We opted to revamp the distinctive gas tank while tweaking surrounding elements, thereby allowing us to achieve a genuinely sharp and authentic appearance.”
Adding to the bike’s nostalgic appeal are several intentional finishing touches.
Equipped with rubber fork gaiters, robust 4.0-inch basic tread tires, and a classic clear-lens headlight, this design features. Horizontal Moto collaborated with Austrian upholstery expert Ledernardo to create a bespoke saddle cover in luxurious black suede leather. Beneath its vintage-inspired aesthetic, the V50 III boasts a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation, featuring a range of custom-designed CNC components specifically created by Horizontal Moto for this project.
“At Horizontal Moto, we prioritize building bikes that can withstand daily use, dedicating significant time and effort to the construction process,” says Paul. To elevate the overall riding experience on this bicycle, the original rear suspension has been replaced with modern, retro-inspired shock absorbers. To improve the bike’s stance, they slid the forks slightly higher within the triple clamps.
Weighing in at a mere 158 kilograms in its factory-fresh configuration. Due to the innovative efforts of Horizontal Motors, this bike is now capable of weighing in at over 120 kg. That’s when you add some sporty flair with a performance-oriented driving spot, an upgraded suspension system, and let’s not overlook the enhanced styling – it’s unlikely anyone would perceive this little Italian as sluggish anymore?
HORIZONTAL MOTO
