This week we decided to look for bike that’s ready to ride. We didn’t want a project or a bike that’s ready for display in some concours show. We wanted to look for a bike that we’d like to bid on, buy and ride. What did we find? A hot rod Moto Guzzi 850T.
This 1975 Moto Guzzi started life as a stock 850T before it was rebuilt with a host of high-performance upgrades. According to the auction, this matching-numbers bike was rebuilt with new pistons and rings, a LeMans flywheel and final drive, lifetime fork seals and more at 17,000 miles. The bike now shows 48,000 miles and wears an unusual “preying mantis”-style fairing along with a Sargent seat and twin-disc front Brembos. The frame has been powdercoated, while the bodywork carries the original brown and gold paint.
While it may not fit everyone’s taste, the bike is an unusual example of a workhorse of a bike with thoughtful performance upgrades and a bit of hooligan styling. It’s bold (and brown and gold), but we like it.
