Horizontal 923: Le Mans II Café Racer from Vienna’s horizontal moto…
Lino Tonti was an Italian motorcycle engineer who developed sport and racing bikes for such companies as Aermacchi, Benelli, Bianchi, F.B. Mondial, and most notably Moto Guzzi. In his prewar years with Benelli, Tonti worked on the company’s supercharged four-cylinder road racer, while his work at F.B. Mondial helped the company defeat MV Agusta in the lightweight Grand Prix championship of 1957. However, Tonti is best-known for his contributions to Moto Guzzi, where he developed the famed Tonti frame that bears his name.
In 1969, the Mandello-based firm decided they needed to develop a faster, sportier machine capable of 200 km/h (124 mph) and weighing no more than 200 kg (440 pounds). Moto Guzzi’s now famous V-twin could make enough power, but their current frames were too high, heavy, and flexible.
Tonti took on the challenge, sequestering himself in his private workshop with a couple of friends until a masterpiece was born: the Tonti frame.
“Made with large diameter, straight tubes, welded together in triangles, it proves to be one of the most rigid motorcycle frames ever. The frame tubes run closely around the engine and make the Guzzi one of the lowest superbikes. Park it next to a BMW boxer and you’ll think the German is some weird kind of two storey motorcycle.” –This Old Tractor
The frame was first used in the V7 Sport, which would become the ancestor of all Tonti-framed Guzzis. In fact, Tonti broke his leg in an early crash and had it set in the riding position just so he could continue to do testing on the V7 prototype — what a legend!
Over the years, the Guzzi engine and Tonti frame have attracted a passionate following of admirers, enthusiasts, tuners, and builders. One of the most diehard is Paul Führmann of Vienna’s horizontal moto, who uses Tonti frames exclusively for his projects:
“horizontal moto is all about the straight line from the headlight to the tip of the tail, which is reflected in my motorcycles. The focus is on classic Italian V2 engines from Moto Guzzi and their long, beautifully simple frames from the 1970s and 80s — bikes which have been fascinating me for years due to their sound and design.”
Back in 2021, we showcased Paul’s “Prototype 1” V50 cafe racer. Today, we’re thrilled to feature horizontal moto’s freshly completed “Horizontal 923,” based on a 1980 Moto Guzzi Le Mans II. Very little of the original machine has remained untouched, and the level of craftsmanship is quite extraordinary.
Paul, who did the vast majority of the work himself, gives us an extensive rundown of the modifications below. The engine was completely rebuilt with advice from tuning legend Peter Horvath of Horvath Guzzi; it’s now 950cc with a lightweight flywheel, high-torque cam, optimized oiling and cooling, and 41mm Dell’Orto carbs.
Up front, the 45-year-old Guzzi is running conventional Showa forks with four-piston brakes, held in place with some gorgeous CNC-milled triple trees.
Out back you’ll find upgraded YSS rear shocks and a widened swingarm to accommodate the 3.5″ high-shoulder spoked wheel with 130 tire.
The aluminum fuel tank, rear end, suede leather seat, and brass trimmings were all handmade with the help of German and Austrian craftsmen, including Friedhelm Lammers, Carl Auböck, and upholstery workshop Ledernardo. The exhaust is a custom stainless system, and the electronics were converted to Motogadget components.
The bike features a veritable arsenal of CNC and 3D-printed parts listed below, while the emblems are cast brass. The finished build, christened “Horizontal 923,” is one of the cleanest, most streamlined and gorgeous Guzzis we’ve seen — a work of functional art from a Guzzista of the highest order.
Best of all, this custom Guzzi is fully road-legal and registered in Austria — a feat itself, as we know from Paul and other Austrian builders. In fact, the name “Horizontal 923” is a nod to when the bike first rollout of the workshop: September 2023.
“It’s a subtle way to mark the moment it came to life and was ready to hit the road. The time since then has primarily been spent navigating technical inspections and approval processes to get the bike legally registered in Austria.”
If you’re interesting in owning this one-of-one Tonti-framed Guzzi cafe racer, it’s currently for sale. You can contact Paul Führmann via the horizontal moto website or any of the social account listed at the end of this page. Below is the full uncut interview with Paul, as well as more gorgeous shots of the bike. Viel Spaß!
Horizontal 923: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My name is Paul, I have an engineering background and spent several years in industry and corporate roles. I own and operate horizontal moto, a motorcycle custom workshop based in the heart of Vienna, Austria. My workshop is dedicated exclusively to classic Moto Guzzi motorcycles, reflecting my passion for these iconic bikes. The name “horizontal moto” represents my commitment to creating motorcycle designs that embody sleekness and elegance — and embrace horizontal design lines.
Having delved deep into Moto Guzzi’s history and legendary V2 aggregates, I appreciate the significant contributions of Lino Tonti’s frame design, which has become a must for customization projects at horizontal moto.
In line with the cafe racer philosophy, I approach customization by focusing on simplicity and clean lines. I would like to share my latest ‘Horizontal 923′ with you. It is another prime example of this aesthetic. Built upon a Tonti frame, it embodies the essence of minimalism while retaining a captivating allure and aerodynamic design.
I do all work (besides outsourced components) myself. Completely outsourced jobs are the exhaust system, fuel tank, and seat (cooperation with Carl Auböck). The exhaust was built by a specialized manufacturer in Bavaria according to my requirements. The fuel tank was built by Friedhelm Lammers, who also built parts for Kaffeemaschine & Co. The suede leather seat is a piece of art by Ledernardo, a Viennese bespoke motorcycle upholstery workshop.
Some smaller outsourced jobs are glass pearl blasting of cast aluminum parts, frame sanding and paintwork, cast brass manufacturing for emblems, balancing crankshaft/piston assembly.
I do projects based on my own design idea and keep iterating and refining the design during the building process, so no upfront client order. However, once the project is finished it is up for sale — so is this one as of now.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
- Complete engine tuning and transmission overhaul (upgrade, increased displacement to 950ccm, lightweight flywheel, high-torque camshaft, expanded intake channels, enhanced CNC milled oil pump, redesigned and optimised engine ventilation and oil separation system, 41mm Dell’Ortos, every single part has been assessed and refurbished or replaced) with continuous advice from Moto Guzzi tuning legend Peter Horvath, who has been pushing the limits of Moto Guzzi bikes for over 40 years.
- Upgraded suspension, all CNC-milled front end with custom horizontal moto triple trees, 45mm Showa fork and four-piston brake calipers. New high-performance rear shock absorbers and low clip-on handlebars with integrated electrics, steel-braided lines throughout, stainless discs, custom-machined raised footpeg assembly with footrests from Radical Speedshop, 3.00 front and 3.50 rear high shoulder spoked rims with 110 and 130 tires respectively, including widened swingarm to fit large rear tire.
- Completely new and top of the line electrical system and components (all motogadget), including keyless start, etc.
- Handcrafted and polished stainless steel exhaust
- Various in-house designed CNC-milled components and 3D-printed design elements, such as:
- CNC: triple trees (by horizontal moto), battery plate (by horizontal moto), cylinder protector (by horizontal moto), front brake adapter (by horizontal moto), rear brake mount (by horizontal moto), intake manifolds (MVS), velocity stacks (HMB), fairing mount stem (by horizontal moto), rear sets.
- 3D Print (all by horizontal moto): Front light clamps, rear light adapters, grids for velocity stacks. …probably I still forgot some, but that should be most of it.
- Handmade aluminum fuel tank, rear end and suede leather seat
- In-house designed and manufactured aluminum & brass details (such as brake fluid mount, fender brackets etc) with Carl Auböck | Auböck Motorrad. Carl represents the 5th generation of the Auböck family from Vienna, who is globally renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship and artistic skills in metal object design. For generations, they have been masters of their craft, creating exquisite handcrafted works of art. Specializing in various forms of artistry architecture and design, the Auböck family has left an indelible mark on the world of object design.
- Fully registered with Austrian authorities and street legal (which is one of the greatest challenges)
More Photos
Follow the Builder
Web: Horizontal-moto.com
Instagram: @horizontal_moto_wien
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Horizontal-moto
The round barrels are hard to beat.
Right-side up forks never looked so good.
Great bike.
Beautiful build, simple, essential, let’s move to Austria.
This bike is super nice. I do have some reservations over the Japanese looking emptiness behind the V stacks and under the seat.
But it’s a great Guzzi.
“Fully registered with Austrian authorities and street legal (which is one of the greatest challenges).” Austria is probably the most strict country on the world for custom bikes. I can’t imagine the effort put into legalizing this beauty.