We?re constantly amazed by the skills of some after-hours builders: folks who have full-time jobs, but spend their evenings and weekends crafting bikes to the level you?d expect at a pro workshop.
One of the most talented part-time builders is Edi Buffon, an engineer who lives in Sydney, Australia. We loved his Kawasaki KZ250 from a year ago, but he’s excelled even more with this magnificent Gilera bobber.

Edi has been riding and modifying motorcycles for 20 years, but it wasn?t until about four years ago that bike building became a serious hobby. ?The goal is to turn it into my main source of income,? he says, ?but I?m still working on that dream.?
There aren?t many Gileras in Australia?or indeed outside Italy. When this machine was built in 1957, Gilera was riding high on its racing reputation, with multiple World Championship trophies on display at the factory. Its road bikes were pricey compared to many others, and were based on an overhead-valve single?originally 125cc and gradually enlarged to 175cc.
?I was looking for a new project and came across a 1957 Rossa Extra 175 on eBay,? Edi tells us. ?One look at the motor and I had to make the purchase!? The seller lived close to Edi, and turned out to have two motors, the wheels and other bits for a really good price.
Edi works solo out of a small shared workshop space. He had no design preconceptions when the tiny Italian arrived on his doorstep, but he does love the style of rigid frames. And he knew he cou...