A Japanese Builder Stripped This Custom Moto Guzzi to Its Bare Essentials

Less is definitely more.

Online custom motorcycle experts Bike Exif are based in New Zealand, but they were able to track down a customized Italian Moto Guzzi V11 Sport Scura built by Japanese shop Katsu Motorworks.

Most of Katsu’s work has been with custom Harleys, but the Guzzi’s owner saw the custom potential hidden beneath its porky lines and commissioned this hot build.

Building all those choppers apparently prepared Katsu for all the cutting needed to trim the Guzzi down to its now-svelte profile.

Bike Exif explained the shop’s modifications:

On the mechanical side, Katsumoto-san wisely left the stock wheels, brakes and suspension alone, simply adding some new Metzeler Racetec RR hypersport rubber to the mix. The motor and six-speed transmission are stock too, but the EFI system’s been swapped out for a pair of Keihin FCR41 carbs, as per the brief. They’re fed via a pair of stubby velocity stacks.

Up top, the Guzzi’s finished off with a classic Daytona headlight, a Motogadget speedo on a custom bracket, and Tommaselli grips. Katsumoto-san didn’t throw away all of the Scura’s ‘limited edition’ bits; you can still spot its red heel plates and carbon fiber front fender.

We can’t wait to see what other Italian-Japanese concoctions Katsu can brew up.

h/t: Bike Exif