This is the “Saga Racer,” a 1980 Moto Guzzi V50 II, built by Andrei Kouznetsov of Revel Custom Motorcycles in the UK.
This was a personal project for Andrei, a man who knows his way around modern Guzzis but wanted to work his magic on a lightweight classic and make a cafe racer. He chose the V50 II for its nimble handling and its honest, 490cc twin engine.
A Beautiful Custom Moto Guzzi Cafe Racer
Andrei’s vision for the “Saga Racer” wasn’t about tearing everything off and starting over. Instead, he wanted to create a traditional cafe racer by refining the parts that were already there. He worked to preserve the bike’s original charm and character, while turning it into a sleek and agile machine.
He salvaged as much of the original bike as he could, including that somewhat bulky factory tank, which he cleverly made look smaller by painting the lower section black. He then used the tank’s proportions as his guide, letting them influence the design of the custom seat, the rear loop, the headlight, and even the handlebar position.
The end result is a bike that now weighs a svelte 304 pounds dry, making it one of the lightest street-legal Guzzis in the world. The braking system was given a serious upgrade, and every custom part and design element was added with a single purpose: to create a harmonious and polished look.
This “Saga Racer” is a testament to the idea that sometimes, the best way to build a custom is to honor the original, and simply make it better.
Sources: BikeBound, Revel Custom Motorcycles
