All-Aluminum Guzzi from Moto Furia x Apiata Metalshaping…
The Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello “Aviazione Navale” (Naval Aviation) is a limited edition machine from the iconic Italian manufacturer that pays tribute to the naval heritage of the company’s founding partners:
“It was during their military service in the Italian Royal Navy’s Aeronautical Arm that the two friends Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi, and pilot Giovanni Ravelli, decided to go into motorcycle manufacturing once the World War ended. Ravelli was killed in an accident in 1919 and was unable to achieve his dream. Guzzi and Parodi chose the Eagle as their symbol in memory of their companion.” -Moto Guzzi
From an aesthetics standpoint, the bike’s livery was inspired by the F-35B strike fighter, and only 1913 of the models will be made in honor of the year the aviation arm of the Italian Navy was formed.
In terms of performance specs, the Aviazione Navale is a standard V100 Mandello, though there’s little “standard” about the company’s new liquid-cooled 115-hp V-twin, matched with a modern chassis and Kayaba manually-adjustable suspension.
Moto Guzzi engineers share space with Aprilia and their MotoGP team, so there’s some serious R&D happening behind the scenes.
Recently, we heard from our friend Jake Apiata, the Kiwi expatriate who began his career as a machinist building Le Mans replica cars (C and D-type Jags, as well as the Ford GT40!) in his native land of New Zealand, then worked for none other than Lazareth Auto Moto upon his move to France. For the last six years, Jake has operated his own small shop, Apiata Metal Shaping, which focuses on the metal-shaping side of things. We’ve seen his work in such builds as the FrenchMoto Royal Enfield “Stellar” and Harley-Davidson Adventure Sportster.
Now he’s just finished this incredible Moto Guzzi V100 “Le Mans” for Switzerland’s Moto Furia, a large multi-brand dealership out of Lausanne. The bike was envisioned as a modern homage to the classic Moto Guzzi Le Mans, and as always, Jake hand-shaped and flame-welded the bodywork completely out of aluminum.
As you may notice, the polished aluminum fuel tank and tail section are one giant single piece — the largest Jake has ever done! The airbox and mudguards are also custom aluminum pieces. Meanwhile, the exhaust system was TIG-welded from stainless steel and the saddle and grips are custom handcrafted leather pieces. There are 52 custom parts on the build and a total of some 600 hours of work!
The resulting machine is simply stunning — modern Guzzi performance wrapped in a bespoke aluminum form hand-shaped by one of the finest metal-shapers in Europe. If the standard Aviazione Navale is based on the F-35B Lightning, this polished aluminum version recalls the radial engine aircraft of a century ago — prop-driven designs that Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi themselves would recognize.
Best of all, Moto Furia will be giving away this V100 Le Mans this summer. To enter, all you have to do is buy a T-shirt. Details here: www.v100lemans.ch. Below, we talk to Jake for more details on the build, and credit goes to LIMN Photography for the images.
Guzzi V100 Mandello Custom: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I’m from Invercargill, New Zealand, the home of Burt Munro. I started as a machinist for a small business building replica Le Mans classic cars such as C and D type Jaguars and the Ford GT40. It was a great way to learn. Once I moved to France I worked for four years for Lazareth Auto Moto and started my own small business after that in 2018 with the desire to work more with the metalshaping side of things.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Moto Guzzi V100 Aviazione Navale.
• Why was this bike built?
A professional customer build for MotoFuria in Lausanne Switzerland to celebrate their ten year anniversary. The bike was made also to be sold as a prize for a lottery that will be drawn this summer.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
It’s a homage to the classic Moto Guzzi v100 Le Mans and built entirely out of aluminium as I do with all my builds.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
- Custom polished aluminium bodywork
- Custom aluminium fuel tank
- Custom aluminium airbox
- Custom mud guards
- Custom leather seat and grips
- Custom polished stainless steel exhaust system
- Rizoma fluid tanks
- All made in my workshop from raw materials
- Aluminium flame welded
- Stainless steel TIG welded
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
As I usually do, I have not modified the suspension, as the standard bike has very high quality components. The bike rides exactly as Moto Guzzi intended, only with a very unique look and a lot more noise!
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
The one piece tank and tail section was a very big piece. I wanted to avoid having a join them so I built it out of one piece. It was the biggest piece I have ever had to polish and I thankfully managed to do it without damaging anything.
Follow the Builder
Moto Furia Suisse: www.v100lemans.ch
LIMN Photography: www.limn.photography
Apiata Metal Shaping: @jakeapiata
Thomas Caniedo, Project Manager: @thomascaniedo
