Today’s feature a custom Moto Guzzi SP1000 aka Metallica is the testament to the constant evolution of custom motorcycles. Evolution of modern day motorcycles is often seen as limited to only the engine and the performance.
Somewhere in that struggle of evolution and survival, creativity seems to be blurring. Custom motorbike builders often struggle with creativity when applying different style to the same bike. But that’s not the case with the Italian God father of custom Moto Guzzi’s, Filippo Barbacane from Officine RossoPuro. His creative custom portfolio is packed with 28 custom motorbikes, mostly with a Moto Guzzi base. All of these custom Guzzi’s have one thing common, they push the boundaries of Moto Guzzi modifications.
Each custom motorbike builder has their own build philosophy and at Moto Rivista we like capturing that. Therefore we asked Filippo to share his story, “A long story, born from passion, creativity and a love for design and motorcycling, but not only. A story that begins in 1993, a new scene in Italy and almost non-existent in Abruzzo and Pescara (home of Officine Rossopuro), it seemed unthinkable to devote yourself full-time to this art of custom motorcycles.
The desire to create is not only linked to the world of two wheels but to the innate character of a creative, driven to innovate and learn. So it’s not the idea of a new fashion, the idea of a style passenger, but to build dreams and desires of those who see in customizing and craft a form of expression, an art form.
From here the dream becomes reality in achieving something special. It starts with prototypes and mock-ups different in styles, ranging from pure sporting cafe racer, endure and motard.
An almost unique feature in our work and in the world of building momentum, where normally you specialize in one strand and yet there is a variety of different styles. This just shows that creativity has no limits, posts or patterns to follow, but as such, it can really explore every form that the mind can visualize and imagine. True creativity lies in the challenge of changing all the time and trying new ways.
This custom Moto Guzzi SP1000 was an idea I had for a long time. I wanted to make a very light motorcycle with a retro look but with modern technical solutions and also functional. The main idea was to have a bike with two chromaticity only black and aluminium, no paint and no plastic.
The electrical system has been completely mounted under the tank and to access you just remove the central part of the tank, which is divided into two pieces. The handlebar controls are also simplified. The right side bag contains a kit of wrenches which you can use to remove the entire body in few minutes. The engine and brake caliper support and the engine guard are special parts that you can buy for all Guzzi Tonti frames.
The exhaust system was produced by Mass Moto on my design and I’m the retailer. The logo is made of aluminum. This custom Moto Guzzi SP1000 has been sold to a customer in Monte Carlo, a great Guzzi lover.”
The finished Moto Guzzi SP1000 “Metallica” is a tasteful transformation in Officine RossoPuro style, all the details on this custom bike flows perfectly!
