Written by Andrew Jones
Craig Rodsmith, our favourite Aussie customiser and all-round bloody talented nice guy took a trip from his US shop north of Chicago to visit the home of Moto Guzzi – his manufacturer of choice – in Mandello del Lario, north of Milan. We spoke to him about his Guzzi obsessions, what it?s like to work with the 97-year-old factory and how he sees the custom landscape looking now that manufacturers and customisers seem so friendly.

What the latest with you"

I?ve been quietly dabbling in another project with the Haas museum and I?ve also been collaborating on a pretty cool new build. This time it?s a custom Vincent build with the son of a man who?s been called ?a legendary American builder?.
A real Guzzi Racer. Note the cam belt drive around the exhaust Can you tell us any more"

It?s basically a hot rodded ?49 Rapide engine with some serious internals: a 1200cc, 5 speed setup that?s been stuffed into a Terry Prince frame. They want it to be a testament to this legend of Vincent performance fame. OK. I probably shouldn’t say this, but it’s for the late and legendary Vincent builder ?Big Sid Bibberman?. They want to call it the ?Big Sid Rodsmith Special,? which is quite flattering, to say the least! Personally I like the Aussie connection with Phil Irving ? the Vincent?s engine designer ? Terry Prince and little old me.
It?ll be a combination of old Vincent elegance and brute strength, with modern amenities such as sus...