The 2022 edition of Revival Cycles Handbuilt Motorcycle Show is happening this week from April 8 to April 10. This year the show promises to be the biggest yet with 200+ amazing custom motorcycle builds on display. It goes without saying that this is the ideal opportunity for the hosts to show off some of their own work. So along with a few of their past custom favourites, Revival Cycles will be debuting a brand new build.
The latest Revival Cycles bike that visitors to the 2022 Handbuilt Motorcycle Show can check out is this highly modified 1975 Moto Guzzi T3 which the team has affectionately named, the Alloy Guzzi. The Guzzi first rolled into the Revival workshop back in 2016 for a few tasks but the project quickly snowballed to avalanche proportions.
“It was a small project that blew out…in a very big way!” says Revival founder Alan Stulburg. “Back in 2016, we started by fabricating a more elegant gas tank mounting solution, re-working the mono-shock geometry and bracing the frame to help move the owners project forward.”
On the completion of those few tasks, the owner of the bike returned to check out what Revival had done. After seeing the quality of their work and their ingenious problem-solving the T3 project grew into a complete custom build.
Starting with the chassis, Revival removed the lower frame rail, added additional structural bracing and fabricated a CNC transmission mount. The rear frame tube was also deleted and custom brackets were added to hold various electrical components. The subframe of the chassis has been heavily modified too. With the aid of a 20mm longer Lemans 1000 swingarm, the rear suspension has been converted to a mono-shock setup that utilises a RaceTech G3S shock.
“Next up came a pair of CRS (Cafe Racer Suspension) forks to help balance out the modern mono-shock,” says Alan. In keeping with the project’s vintage vibe, the CRS forks are a modern interpretation of 1970s Cerrianni items. CNC milled from billet aluminium they utilise cartridge internals and allow external adjustments to the front end compression, rebound and preload. Holding the whole setup in place is a set of CNC machined triple clamps which Revival fabricated in house.
In addition to the suspension improvements, the Guzzi received a big brake upgrade. To achieve this Revival jumped on their CNC again and fabricated a set of front end brake mounts. Hanging off the new mounts are Brembo discs and callipers which are actuated by more Brembo gear.
For the bike’s wheels, Revival again opted for more classically styled components. Laced to the freshly blasted T3 hubs via stainless spokes are flanged alloy Borrani rims. Fresh bearings, seals and a set of Continental Road Attack 2 tires complete the wheel package.
The next cab off the ranks was an extensive engine renovation.
“The original engine was in rough shape, with nothing other than the block and crankshaft being usable,” recalls Alan. “An 88mm big bore kit turned the original 850 into a 950, a pair of +2mm longer Carillo rods topped with one-off forged Ross racing pistons increases power and reliability, topped with a pair of heavily reworked cylinder heads flowing through Kibblewhite 44mm/37mm intake and exhaust valves, respectively.”
Complementing all of the internal work are Dellorto PHF 40 mm carburettors that are right at home on the custom intake spigots. As for the striking new exhaust, it’s a custom-built 2-into-1 Titanium system that expels via a hidden titanium muffler beneath the transmission. This configuration helps to keep the bike’s centre of gravity down low without sacrificing any ground clearance.
“Transferring all the newfound horsepower is a RAM low inertia clutch and a rebuilt and reworked transmission featuring low drag ceramic bearings and many new parts,” Alan adds.
Once the team had the T3 rolling again attention was diverted to the fitment of some new bodywork.
For storing the go-fast juice, the team acquired an Evan Wilcox Aluminum Lemans replica fuel tank. To get it sitting just right it’s been carefully reworked and their efforts clearly paid off. The tank sits dead flat on the frame rails and hovers within sniffing distance of the cylinder heads.
Extending from the rear of the tank and establishing the perfect cafe racer bone line is a bespoke alloy tail unit. Its proportions have been carefully calculated to establish the ideal seat height for the owner and integrated into the design is an LED taillight. In keeping with the bike’s theme, the rest of its bodywork is all aluminium too. This includes the handmade front fairing, front fender, headlight ring and 2 piece belly pan. Stainless steel brackets and hardware hold everything securely in place.
The reworked T3’s classic racing vibe isn’t all for show though. Alan tells us that the front fairing was added to both visually balance things out and provide a place to mount a racing number. This is because the owner has every intention of racing this beauty at vintage race meets.
“The cockpit is a mixture of old and new, with a mechanical Veglia racing tachometer surrounded by modern LED warning and indicator lights. The Domino grips pair well with the Revival LTD. upholstered seat, finished in Alcantara leather stitched with a Moto Guzzi V8 green thread,” says Alan, but the list of tweaks and upgrades don’t end there.
“A pair of heavily reworked Tarrozzi rear sets allow adjustability of the foot controls and a very planted feeling through the footpegs. The Tomaselli twin pull throttle is nestled next to a set of Revival Signature Type 1 Switch housings, connected to a MotoGadget Mo.Unit basic. All of the custom cables were built using the Revival Signature Cable kits for a clean and finished look and the wiring is handled by a Revival Signature Wiring kit.”
Along with their many talents, the Revival team know a thing or two about electrics and this T3 showcases that ability. The custom made wiring harness utilises Mizu connectors for steadfast weatherproofing. The headlight is one of their own Signature Secret 7 inch LED units which despite its modern internals has a convincing vintage look. The charging system has been upgraded using a Euromoto Electrics configuration and cranking amps come via a 12 cell Anti-Gravity battery. To enhance the bike’s tunability there’s a programmable Power Arc ignition system and all the turn signals have been converted to LEDs.
It’s evident that the Alloy Guzzi’s owner is clearly a Guzzista of the highest order. Along with commissioning this incredible build, he’s visited the hallowed grounds of Guzzi’s Lake Como factory and museum. On that trip, he was enamoured of Moto Guzzi’s V8 Dustbin. Infact he was so taken by it that he asked the guys to coat the frame of his bike in matching industrial green paint. To showcase the bike’s alloy work all of the bodywork has been left raw. But by using a mix of brushed and polished details they’ve given it a truly unique look.
If you’d like to see this bike in the flesh (we sure as hell would!) head to the Revival Cycles Handbuilt Motorcycle Show at 305 South Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas this weekend.
