Approximately three years prior, I would often visit my acquaintance Joel at his establishment, Customized Bike Electrics, located in Willeton, Western Australia. Joel leaned forward, his eyes fixed intently on the struggling Harris Kawasaki Magnum as he conversed with the owner. As I strolled through the store, my curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn’t help but take a closer look at everything on offer. As I chanced upon a sleek, streamlined Moto Guzzi V7 Sport in its entirety transformed into a racing machine, my attention was immediately piqued. As an ardent enthusiast of the iconic Guzzi, I noticed a handful of unconventional features that deviated from the norm. In reality, it was simply a matter of the production line’s design that the body, engine, and transmission were the sole components visible to the naked eye. The bicycle sat in a sorry state of disrepair, its once-shiny frame now dulled by rust and neglect. I touched on the topic in passing with Joel, marking the beginning of our conversation.
Years slipped away, and the memories of that bike faded from my mind. As if resurrected from the depths of its own history, the iconic Moto Guzzi motorcycle emerged anew. Meet Mr. Joe Albertini, a renowned Moto Guzzi enthusiast, whose impressive collection has left me awestruck over the years, featuring some of the most spectacular bikes I’ve had the pleasure to behold. The 1972 Moto Guzzi V7 Sport was imported to Australia by him from America. Prior to its time in Florida, the V7 had a rich history of racing across Europe.
Fresh from the transportation container, the Guzzi emerged with an array of intricate alterations already implemented. The bespoke features encompassing these components include the Astralite racing wheels, a tailored mono-shock configuration, and a high-performance 2-into-1 single-sided exhaust system, which currently adorn the motorcycle. This was a sleek, high-performance racing vehicle, devoid of any unnecessary accoutrements: no headlights, no turn signals, and most conspicuously, no registration plate. The motorcycle was further embellished by the addition of a solitary racing seat, a sleek fibreglass tank, and a streamlined bikini fairing. The tank remained unchanged until Joe decided to make a few adjustments with his friend Joel’s help.
As I received the bicycle at my workshop for the first time, I was taken aback by the unexpected discovery. “It was a humble, well-worn race bike with a rich history and battle scars,” Joel recalls. Since that moment, I realized the uniqueness of this project and was more than eager to embark on it. As a few days elapsed, my mind swirled with ideas, leaving me eager to dive in.
While others might have simply installed brighter lights on the racing version, Joe’s innovative idea was already taking shape. Throughout the next few years, every aspect of the bike underwent a comprehensive rebuild, from its foundation to its finest details. Every single component, from nuts to bolts, underwent meticulous scrutiny throughout the process, as the exhaustive listing of modifications necessitated involvement from numerous individuals.
The distinctive Stucchi Luigi fairing, originally designed for the Moto Guzzi V7’s compact engine, adorns the entrance in a stylish nod to its Italian heritage. The new cover precisely aligns with the fibreglass tank’s exact width. Aled collaborated with Resto Welding Providers to modify the fairings’ brackets, enabling a seamless integration with the 1972 body style. While Aled was on site, he took the initiative to create a custom bracket for the Motogadget Basic speedometer. Joel secured a replacement seat cowling from Ricambi Weiss, with Aled’s additional assistance in modifying the seat to seamlessly integrate with the vehicle’s body. Aled’s workload on the bike includes overseeing the electrical system, installing a stainless steel front fender, as well as various other components and brackets.
A custom-tuned Moto Guzzi V7 Sport, its performance enhanced by the installation of precision-engineered CNC high and low side fork clamps crafted by Bravo Sources’ expert designer, Clyde. With their astralite wheels freshly refurbished by Alliance Rim Repairs, the bike has been given a new lease on life. The vintage tyres have been meticulously replaced with modern rubber, courtesy of renowned Western Australian motorcycling experts at Tyres for Bikes. The brakes’ rebuild ensures a strong foundation, while the custom-made calliper mounts and stainless-steel braided lines significantly boost reliability, braking power, and overall sensation.
While attention will indeed focus on the elephant in the room – namely, the swingarm – Every motorcycle built to the Tonti frame design by Moto Guzzi has been characterized by the use of a twin shock suspension system in its rear end, specifically a swingarm configuration. Although the swingarm on this bike was not a factory-supplied component, unfortunately, there is limited information available about its origin. Within the early years of its lifespan, the V7’s unique aluminum mono-shock design appears to be a singular creation that stands out from the rest. It’s evident that what exists now is indeed clear, yet its seemingly impossible nature required adjustments during its development process.
Johnny Maclean, a featured builder on Return of the Cafe Racers, received a brand-new YSS Distant Reservoir Rear Shock, which was promptly dispatched by its new owner. Johnny fabricated and welded custom brackets to secure the reduced-height shock absorber mount on the swingarm, before sending it to Simon at Wheel Gleam for further processing. Simon meticulously deburred the oblong swingarm’s sharp edges before carefully polishing the calliper mounts and triple clamps to a high shine.
In Western Australia, a meticulously crafted Moto Guzzi build wouldn’t be complete without the invaluable assistance of Mario and Mark at Thunderbikes, whose expertise was instrumental in bringing the project to life. As Joe dropped by Joel’s store, he collected the sleek Moto Guzzi V7 Sport and carefully transported it to Mario’s well-equipped Bassendean workshop for further attention. As the V7 had previously endured a demanding career as a racing bike, it received a comprehensive engine and transmission refurbishment. You’ll be delighted to hear that Joe has decided to retain all of the engine enhancements from its previous life – including a lightened flywheel, lightweight pistons, and twin-spark-plug-equipped cylinder heads. While the engine can be bored out to 1000cc, its true nature remains that of a racing machine at heart.
While the engine was being serviced, the rest of the bike was temporarily relocated. All components including the frame, swingarm, forks, and braking system have been successfully dispatched to Ryan at Customized Modifications for installation and customization. Ryan skillfully merged the vibrant hues of purple and silver paint, carefully laying them down to create a stunning visual effect, and also gave attention to detail by adding a finishing touch to the wheels. The forks have undergone a comprehensive rebuild, with new bushings, bearings, and custom-fabricated spacers installed to ensure optimal performance and durability.
Now that the custom paint job has been finished, the modern engine and transmission have been successfully mated with the newly restored vehicle’s body. The newly ceramic-coated exhaust system, courtesy of CIC Ceramics in Welshpool, was carefully installed and secured with a robust MCS reverse-cone muffler, effectively capping off the system. With the installation of new lighting, wiring, and electrical components, including a state-of-the-art stator, advanced Dynatek Ignition system, high-performance coils, and a reliable starter motor, courtesy of Joel’s expert workmanship.
The entire system now operates in tandem with a comprehensive suite of features, including an M-unit paired with a keyless ignition accessed via an M-lock.
The item at the top had finally been obtained. Peter Ellery, another prominent local Perth-based bike builder, was mentioned alongside him. Peter designed and fabricated an aluminum battery bracket and a custom mount for the rear shock reservoir. To ensure a precise fit, he meticulously refined and aligned the gasoline tank and entrance fairing to achieve a seamless convergence.
Tony Wong, a seasoned area designer and close confidant of Joe’s, deserves credit for crafting the stunning color scheme that brings this space to life. With Simon’s expertise at Bike Panel and Paint, Tony’s innovative ideas took shape as a sleek masterpiece, with a radiant silver basecoat serving as the canvas for bold purple stripes that danced across the rear cowl, tank, and fairing. Lorenzo Poli’s introduction to the world of upholstery yielded exceptional results, with his craftsmanship telling a compelling story that requires no further explanation. The rich, supple leather upholstery, punctuated by vibrant purple stitching, harmonizes beautifully with the V7’s overall aesthetic.
With the freshly minted Moto Guzzi V7 Sport race bike in hand, I asked Joe about his satisfaction with the outcome. As his closing comment provides a fitting denouement to this sweeping narrative.
I’m thoroughly delighted with the bicycle. The collective effort invested in this endeavour has transformed it into a profound odyssey of faith, underscoring the transformative power of shared vision and dedication. It’s been an unparalleled level of expertise.
From its initial purchase to the moment I laid eyes on it, my vague concept had evolved into a fully realized creation.
Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege of shaping and refining this trusty bicycle, transforming it from a mere machine into an extension of myself. As the bicycle’s design evolves to harmonize seamlessly with diverse owners across multiple continents and centuries, it’s a truly humbling experience. Among many components, I’m just a small yet vital part of this bike’s incredible adventure.
The bike runs unbelievable. Despite its modern refinements, the bike still embodies the distinctive vintage Guzzi essence, boasting a delightful aspect-to-aspect wobble and an unwavering sense of stability. As my 16th Moto Guzzi ownership experience, this bike still conveys a unique essence of its own. Despite undergoing significant changes since its arrival, the vehicle has successfully preserved its original prestige and racing essence. Built for cruising down long, serpentine roads at full throttle. A restaurant racer, probably. As soon as you straddle this machine, the need for caffeine disappears in an instant. Is the catalyst for a thrilling adventure?
I am deeply grateful to each and every individual who has played a role in helping me achieve this lifelong goal. Far exceeding my most optimistic expectations, it has reached unprecedented heights. I’m thoroughly delighted with the finished product. A rare, one-off Moto Guzzi that presents exceptionally well and performs incredibly – utterly without equal.
CUSTOM BIKE ELECTRICS
Photography and narrative by Ben Pilatti
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