Restomods by their very nature seem less complicated than totally custom-made bikes, however they’re normally more durable to get proper. Customization leaves you free to vary no matter you need, however a restomod calls for good judgement and even higher style. You have to know when to zig and when to zag—treating the unique bike with respect whereas making simply the best variety of modifications.
It’s a darkish artwork that Unikat Motorworks has mastered. Based in Wroclaw, Poland, the {custom} workshop’s newest venture is a basic Moto Guzzi V7 that’s been nipped and tucked to nice impact.
The job got here from a returning shopper, who had beforehand requested Unikat to construct a Godden GR500 speedway bike as a present for his spouse. This time round, he determined to deal with himself with a restrained and trendy restomod. Picking the 1969 Moto Guzzi V7 Special because the donor was a straightforward selection for the reason that bike and proprietor share a start 12 months.
Unikat imported the V7 in basic police bike trim from Italy, full with its cop-spec fairing and panniers. It seemed to be in good situation—though the crew quickly realized simply how a lot work could be wanted to make it mechanically sound.
Unikat’s first port of name was the basic Moto Guzzi V7’s cumbersome bodywork. The police fairing and panniers got here off instantly, as did the engine crash bars, and the humungous entrance and rear fenders. The crew stored the gasoline tank, however it wanted cleansing and resealing earlier than it was good to go.
The classic V7 was constructed again up once more with a pair of slim handmade fenders, and a sensible leather-based saddle. Unikat stored the OEM aspect covers, however fabricated further panels to take a seat the place the toolboxes used to. A custom-made baggage rack sits out again, simply in entrance of an LED taillight, with LED tail alerts hooked up to {custom} mounting tabs on the subframe.
Next, Unikat refurbished the entrance suspension and swapped out the shocks for a set of contemporary models, measuring somewhat longer than inventory. They opted to retain the unique wheels and brakes, however ultimately determined that the edges wanted changing. So they rebuilt the wheels with new San Remo rims, earlier than wrapping them in fashionable tires with classic seems.
Old elements and new elements sit side-by-side throughout this construct, however it’s laborious to inform them aside. Whatever wasn’t upgraded or changed, was on the very least restored to better-than-new situation.
It’s the identical story within the cockpit, the place the unique handlebars and controls are matched to leather-wrapped grips, Motogadget LED flip alerts, and vintage-style switches. The dashboard is an unique Moto Guzzi half too, though it’s the kind that was mostly discovered on civilian V7 fashions of the time.
The unique Moto Guzzi headlight and headlight brackets sit up entrance; a refined consideration that has a huge impact on the general aesthetic. Fresh wiring runs beneath the hood, making certain a dependable trip.
Although the 1969 Moto Guzzi V7 Special by no means got here in black, the V7 Ambassador did. But whereas the Ambassador featured pin striping and chromed knee sections on the gasoline tank, Unikat went for a extra muted, all-black paint scheme right here, augmented by delicate graphics. And it seems beautiful.
If there’s an ideal system for resto-modding a beloved basic, Unikat has it.
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Source: www.bikeexif.com