Calling the Moto Guzzi Breva 750 a ‘commuter bike’ is a bit cheeky, but it does fit the profile. Manageable power, neutral ergonomics and a low seat height make it the perfect ’round-towner for beginners.
But?like many in its class?it’s hardly a looker. It’s almost as if manufacturers deliberately build blandness into their entry-level offerings, hoping to inspire riders to upgrade later on.

If that was the plan here, it’s backfired spectacularly. Natalie Fleetwood bought this Breva a few years ago precisely because it was so easy to get along with. But when she got bored, she didn’t trade the Moto Guzzi in. Instead, she handed it to her husband, Simon, and told him to get busy.
“Natalie decided she wanted a proper shed?built cafe racer?tailored to her size and taste, but keeping the soul of the Guzzi,” Simon tells us. The couple lives in Fremantle, Australia, where he spends his days as an industrial designer.
“Building bikes is more lifestyle than business for me,” he explains. “I have owned bikes and modified them all my life, but I guess its become more focused over the last ten years, since the new café racer scene developed. I was very inspired by a recent trip to Glemseck.”
Simon had to go deep to shake off the Breva’s commuter styling, so he started by stripping it down to just the frame, motor and running gear. The spindly conventional forks and single disc brake were the fi...