Back in the 90s, Moto Guzzi was mostly associated with old school, rumbling v-twin engines. Ducati had stolen the sporting crown, and the Mandello factory was increasingly out of sync with the market. Production figures tumbled: highs of over 45,000 in the early seventies fell to a dismal 3,274 units in 1993.
As part of an effort to turn things around, Guzzi revealed the 1100 Sport. Still an air-cooled v-twin, it pumped out 90 hp and offered a more relaxed alternative to the Ducati 916.

These days, the 916 is a bona fide icon. But not everyone wants a backbreaking sportbike that doesn?t come alive until you hit 6,000 rpm. So the classic Guzzi has a small but devoted following, and is well served by aftermarket specialists like Ghezzi-Brian.
This 1100 Sport shows what can be done if you?ve got the motivation and the moolah. It?s owned by electronic engineer Simon Thackeray, who hails from the cathedral town of York in northern England.
Simon bought the Guzzi new in 1997, so he?s not the kind of guy who chops and changes his bikes. ?By 2017, it?d done 105,000 kilometers, and I needed to change the clutch for the second time,? he tells us. ?It was strip down time.?
Simon?s wife was also tiring of the Guzzi pillion, and was happy for him to buy a BMW GS to increase comfort levels.

Simon spotted the Ghezzi Brian ?Sport Monza? conversion kit and ordered most of the options?including a GPone aluminum swingarm. But that was only the start before his engineer?s mindset kicked...