Silver bullet

Inspired by the classic wind tunnel warriors and ‘dustbin’ racers of yesteryear, Illinois-based custom bike creator Craig Rodsmith satisfied his 20-year-plus desire to build such a machine with this Guzzi goliath. Starting with a 1969 Ambassador frame, Rodsmith heavily modified the existing structure, which included reshaping it into a delicious upswept rear end, and then, the body, tank, seat, dash, and, of course, that fabulous fairing, were all hand-formed and left bare, to allow us lucky spectators to see the truly outstanding craftsmanship draped all over the bike. Aside from the fairing, countless minor details, from the handmade gauges to the curves of the leather-clad seat, embellish this elegant-yet-aggressive Guzzi. And then, there’s the engine — an 850cc unit built out to 950cc, equipped with 36mm Dell’Ortos and a Garett-style turbo system, and finished with a stainless-steel exhaust system — all custom, of course. Rolling on the only wheels for a true classic, Borranis, the overall aesthetic is alluring, aerodynamic, and, above all, drop-dead gorgeous…

Photos: Chris Carona