Photo credit: Gannet Design
The iconic motorcycles of the old days continue to inspire custom builders to create new pieces of art.
And when clothing brand Vanguard approached Gannet Design to imagine an homage to the Moto Guzzi V8 of mid-1950s, and with Numbnut Motorcycles managing the fabrication process, we knew the result would be great!
So, here it is, the Vanguard Moto Guzzi V8.
After a lot of work and hours spent designing and fabricating by hand the custom parts needed for this V8 project, including the tubular frame to support the fairing, this modern Moto Guzzi – the original bike is a California 1400 – shares a deep resemblance with the bike Dr. Giulio Cesare Carcano developed for the Moto Guzzi Grand Prix racing team.
It all started with an illustration by Ulfert Janssen of Gannet Design, and in Amsterdam, Holland, Numbnut Motorcycles took care of things stripping down a modern Moto Guzzi, modifying the fuel tank, bringing life into to that streamline fairing with a fresh coat of green, installing a set of Firestone Deluxe Champion tires and fabricating a single seat covered in brown leather.
Numbnut Motorcycles also tweaked the way this Moto Guzzi “V8” handles by installing a pair of adjustable rear shocks by YSS, and the engine breathes better through a pair of open pipes finished in black matt paint.
The foot pegs were repositioned farther back by a massive 80 cm, and together with the lower clip-on’s this puts the rider in a racier position while riding this Moto Guzzi.
The completed bike isn’t your regular customized project, and everything fits right into place. It’s really a very well thought and tasteful homage to the iconic Moto Guzzi V8 that reached a top speed of 276.80 km/h with the help of a V8 engine with just 500 cc.
Take a look at the video below and tell us what you think about this Vanguard Moto Guzzi V8