Moto Guzzi 850 Cafe Racer #37

The Moto Guzzi 850 cafe racer Project #37 is a one-off custom build by Herencia Custom Garage, fusing a Kawasaki front end with an Italian V-twin powerplant, quilted cherry-red leather upholstery, and a hand-formed stainless exhaust into a machine built for aggressive, purposeful riding.

The Concept

Herencia Custom Garage, the Barcelona-based custom shop led by Federico and German, built Project #37 to a specific brief: a sportbike-oriented Moto Guzzi for a rider who wanted aggression without compromise. The approach treats the 850cc Italian V-twin as a platform to be improved rather than preserved, grafting the best available components from other marques onto a chassis that was already capable of delivering the riding character the client wanted.

The Build

The front end is sourced from a Kawasaki, bringing inverted forks and a dual disc brake setup that the original Guzzi architecture never offered. A Honda CX500 fuel tank was adapted to fit the Moto Guzzi frame, its lines leading naturally into a custom tail and seat unit trimmed in quilted cherry-red leather. The upholstery connects the tank visually to the rear of the bike, creating a coherent line across the full length. HCG fabricated a custom stainless steel exhaust with curved pipes and intentionally exposed welds, letting the craftsmanship speak rather than hiding it under heat wrap. The electrical system was updated with a relocated Antigravity lithium battery to improve weight distribution, and a Motogadget speedometer replaces the original instrumentation with a cleaner, modern read.

Performance

The 850cc transverse V-twin remains the core of the build, chosen for its torque character and the physical presence of its air-cooled cylinders running exposed along each side of the frame. The Kawasaki front end brings a significant upgrade in braking and handling over the original specification. The stainless exhaust system improves flow while contributing to the visual identity of the machine. Every modification serves the brief: a focused, aggressive motorcycle that is as fast to look at as it is to ride.

Specifications

• Builder: Herencia Custom Garage
• Base: Moto Guzzi 850
• Style: Cafe racer
• Engine: 850cc transverse V-twin, air-cooled
• Front end: Kawasaki inverted forks, dual disc brake
• Tank: Honda CX500, adapted
• Seat and tail: Custom one-off, quilted cherry-red leather
• Exhaust: Custom stainless steel, hand-fabricated
• Battery: Antigravity lithium, relocated
• Instruments: Motogadget speedometer
• Build number: Project #37

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