Death Machines of London’s Latest Custom Bike Is a Vintage Speed Demon

Just look at this thing.

Photo: Ivo Ivanov for Death Machines of London Limited

British bike lover James Hilton is back with a brand-new Death Machine of London that looks like it could fly off the track. 

The Airforce was built to commemorate Moto Guzzi co-founder Giovanni Ravelli, a WWI fighter pilot and motorcycle racer who earned the nickname “The Italian Devil” for his love of all things fast. 

Photo: Ivo Ivanov for Death Machines of London Limited

The vintage custom has the bones of an early ’80s era Moto Guzzi Le Mans MKII—the company says that the bike’s engine was found in “remarkable condition” after being discovered in a southern Italian junkyard. 

The frame and front wheel were then coated in custom “Airforce Grey,” and the wheels were created from California Hubs laced to aluminum rims. The ultra-slim treads are made from period Firestone tires. 

Photo: Ivo Ivanov for Death Machines of London Limited

The body’s exterior metal panels were left raw and received only a brush treatment. More on styling and design comes courtesy of Death Machines of London:

The front fairing slots into the side of the fuel tank, creating uninterrupted flowing lines.

The lower concave curve of the fuel tank is mirror polished to reflect the high-gloss paint finish on the inside of the front fairing – the only part of the bodywork that is given this treatment.

Photo: Ivo Ivanov for Death Machines of London Limited

The belly-pan is double-skinned, enclosing the exhaust pipes. Finally, the Italian leather seat features a hand-stitched pattern based on air-flow to enhance the impression of movement. 

The speedometer has been redesigned and precision etched in nickel silver and brass, with dimmable radial illumination through a dedicated controller.   

The finishing touch is its irrefutably awesome key: a quarter-inch guitar jack with a built in immobilizer proximity sensor.  

Photo: Ivo Ivanov for Death Machines of London Limited

Check out more photos of the Airforce in the gallery above. And for more custom bike porn, see the stunning shots from Death Machines of London’s previous projects—the “Up Yours Copper” Thruxton and Moto Guzzi Airtail—below: 

Share: 
Tags: