Moto Guzzi?s magnificent Le Mans is a firm favorite with European custom builders, but we don?t see many V1000s. So this G5 five-speeder from France is a real treat.
It?s the work of Manuel and Yann of Sur Les Chapeaux De Roues, and it?s the color that grabbed us first?a pale minty green, much like the signature ?Celeste? shade of Bianchi. It?s a perfect match for the sylphlike new bodywork, with little remaining of Mandello?s somewhat heavy-handed and plasticky original.

The 949cc G5 had plenty of grunt, with contemporary road tests putting the top speed at around 118 mph (190 kph). This one?s likely to be even perkier, because SLCDR have completely rebuilt the engine with OEM parts. They?ve also ditched the square-slide 30mm carbs for larger Dell?Orto PHM 40s.
The exhaust pipework is new too, hooked up to mufflers from MotoGP suppliers SC-Project. And there?s a high performance Dynatek Dyna III electronic system, to send a more powerful (and accurate) spark to the plugs. It?s hooked up to a complete new wiring loom, with juice supplied by an Antigravity battery. Electrical accessories include Motogadget blinkers and a Koso speedo.

So far, so good. But riding conditions are a little more demanding than they were when this V1000 left the factory in the 1970s, so Manuel and Yann have given the suspension a substantial upgrade.
They?ve installed a set of 43mm Öhlins forks, clamped onto Yamaha YZF-R6 triples, and an equally supple Öhlins shock out back. Beringer hav...