Workshop Legends: Eternal City Moto Show 2025

Eccellenze su Ruote | Excellence on Wheels…

The final weekend of September played host to the ninth edition of Rome’s Eternal City Motorcycle Show, held at the Rome Convention Center known as “La Nuvola.” A record number of attendees — more than 30,000 this year — strode among the 300+ bikes on display.

Eternal City Moto Show 2025 — Fuchs Workshop

Of special interest to us was Workshop Legends, a new international showcase for cafe racers, scramblers, and custom bikes of all kinds, showcasing visionary design and craftsmanship.

We were lucky enough to have our friend and invited builder Tom Boissel of Cus’Tom Motorcycle on hand to capture the action.

“The building was incredible. Downstairs was the ‘regular’ motorcycle section, including manufacturers, equipment, and accessories; and upstairs, the custom section. There was something for everyone: choppers, baggers, low riders, scramblers, cafe racers… and artists (helmet painting, paint stripping, and clothing). There was also an American car exhibition, a stage for the awards ceremony, and a dance show for the Saturday night party, reserved for exhibitors.” -Tom

Our friend Andrea “Dopz” of Emporio Elaborazioni Meccaniche workshop. He brought together several preparation workshops on various themes: old school, neo-retro, futuristic, etc., including a pair of builds brought all the way from Japan.

“A refined and curated itinerary leads visitors through three narrative areas — Past Present, Present, and Future Present — that transcend traditional distinctions between cafe racer, scrambler, naked, and streetfighter philosophies. This innovative approach showcases the inspiration of the invited custom builders.” -Eternal Moto Show

From Japan, Cherry’s Company presented a pair of visionary BMW R nineTs; Cédric Trenquier of the emerging French workshop Cevennes Retro Motors brought a Ducati 1100 Scrambler, and for the first time in Italy, Axel Budde of Germany’s Kaffeemaschine Motorcycles exclusively revealed a pair of Moto Guzzi Le Mans III’s.

The Italian contribution was equally impressive: Workshop Legends featured some of the best names in the customs world. Officine Rossopuro and Plan B Motorcycles previewed their latest innovations, combining tradition, craftsmanship, and even electric propulsion. Alongside them were a host of legends of Made in Italy specials from Bottega Bastarda, Custom Creations, Dino Romano, Fuchs Workshop, Manara Artworks, Motocicli Audaci, and more. There was even an Enduro Special area that included a BMW R80 G/S designed by Dopz of EEM.

An international jury of industry experts judged the specials on display. There was the official Workshop Legends 2025 award as well as the equally coveted International Pick, personally awarded by Kurosu Kaichiroh of Cherry’s Company.

Additional prizes were up for grabs, including one offered by main sponsor Liqui Moly.

“Plan B won several awards, Cevene Retro Moto also won prizes with its magnificent ‘Shimura’ (which I forgot to take a picture of), and the best prize went to Gallery’s ‘Lucifer,’ an incredible motorcycle based on an old Harley. The prize is also fantastic: an all-expenses-paid invitation to exhibit at the Yokohama Hot Rod Festival!” -Tom

Tom says the bikes on display were simply staggering, and the camaraderie of spending time with fellow builders made everything all the more special.

“We must thank Andrea [Dopz] for his kindness and for masterfully leading this exhibition. He also invited all of us (the Workshop Legend preparers) to eat at a typical Italian restaurant before the Saturday evening party.”

Tom’s Guzzi Dolce Riva and Yamaha RD350 “Old Fox” — both of which we’ve featured here on BikeBound — looked incredible among the other Workshop Legends.