Sport Guzzi: Reset Cycles reinterprets the V100 Mandello S…
In 2023, Moto Guzzi introduced the V100 Mandello S sport tourer — the first thoroughly modern Guzzi in the brand’s long and storied history. The 1042cc “compact-block” V-twin is Guzzi’s first liquid-cooled production engine, making 113 bhp at 8700 rpm, and the S model boasts semi-active Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 semi-active suspension and a quickshifter.
Reviewers have been well pleased with the Mandello’s blend of modern performance and old-school Guzzi character.
“New from the ground-up, it’s beautifully crafted with design cues from Guzzi’s glittering history. Slits in its side panels mimic their 1976 Le Mans 850 and the top fairing tips a hat to the ‘81 Le Mans 850 III. It’s evocative stuff, right down to the V100 Mandello’s name that pays tribute to it home and a celebration of Guzzi’s 100th birthday in 2021.” –MCN
Enter our new friend Charles Poelmans of Netherlands-based Reset Cycles, who got his start building wild custom cars and restoring Italian classics, most notably Maseratis. After two decades in the automotive world, he stepped away to work a more traditional job as an employee.
“I gave it several years, but something was missing. I realized that building things with my own hands, working independently, and creating unique custom projects wasn’t just my profession, it was who I am.”
So Charles has rounded his way back to the customs world, opening a new workshop focused on two wheels instead of four. As one of his first projects, he decided to tackle his own 2024 V100 Mandello, which he’d been wanting to give a “sportier, more aggressive look.”
“The Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello is one of the most technically advanced motorcycles the company has ever produced. Instead of changing its identity, I wanted to explore what the V100 might have looked like if Moto Guzzi had developed a more focused, sport-oriented factory version.”
It was important to Charles to preserve an OEM look and finish — an approach we love. No aftermarket styling parts were used — he developed everything himself. Charles says the guiding principle throughout the project was simple: every modification had to look as if it could have left the factory that way.
To achieve this, the active aerodynamic system was removed and the fairing completely redesigned. New air intakes were created using the same construction philosophy as the original bodywork, preserving an OEM appearance while simplifying the front end.
The windscreen was replaced by a fixed, lower cockpit cowl, giving the motorcycle a much more compact and aggressive stance. At the same time, the TFT display was recessed deeper into the cockpit, creating a cleaner and more integrated dashboard.
At the rear, the passenger seat was replaced with a custom seat cowl. A bespoke license plate bracket was designed and the indicators were completely integrated into the bodywork, making them almost invisible until illuminated.
Rather than fitting an aftermarket exhaust, an entirely new exhaust system was fabricated while retaining the original catalytic converter. This maintained both the technical integrity of the motorcycle and a clean visual balance.
The engine received a dark grey coating to eliminate the different shades of cast aluminum found on the production engine, resulting in a more cohesive appearance without sacrificing the original character. Small visual distractions, such as the side panel lock, were removed to further simplify the design.
The result isn’t intended to be a radical custom, but an interpretation of what a factory Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello Sport edition could have been…or could still be. We love the sleek, minimalist design of this Guzzi, and we hope the brand takes notice — there’s a great deal of potential to their modern platform.
Below, we have our full interview with Charles about the build, and we encourage you to follow his workshop on Instagram: @resetcycles.
Custom V100 Mandello: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My name is Charles Poelmans and I live in the south of the Netherlands. I started in the world of custom cars. Top chops, air ride suspension, custom paint jobs, and fabricating one-of-a-kind details gave me the perfect outlet for my creativity. Every project was a blank canvas, and I loved turning ideas into reality.
Later, I made the transition into restoring classic Italian cars, with a strong focus on Maseratis. This was a completely different challenge. Instead of creating something new, I was preserving automotive history. Countless hours were spent hand-forming sheet metal, rebuilding beautiful engineering, and chasing perfection in every tiny detail. While custom building allowed me to express my creativity, restoration sharpened my eye for detail and deepened my appreciation for true craftsmanship.
After more than 20 years in the automotive world, I decided to step away and see if I could find the same satisfaction working as an employee. I gave it several years, but something was missing. I realized that building things with my own hands, working independently, and creating unique custom projects wasn’t just my profession, it was who I am.
That passion eventually led me to motorcycles. They offer the same creative freedom as custom cars, but the projects are more manageable and can be completed within a realistic timeframe. I also love the motorcycle community. It’s genuine, down-to-earth, and full of people who share the same passion for craftsmanship and riding.
Every motorcycle that leaves my workshop is built entirely by me. From engine and transmission rebuilds to fabrication and paintwork, I handle every step myself. The only part I outsource is the seat upholstery, trusting a specialist to match the level of quality I strive for. Keeping nearly everything in-house allows me to maintain complete control over the finished product while continuing to enjoy every part of the process.
I don’t limit myself to a specific brand, style, or era. Whether it’s a vintage classic, a modern machine, a café racer, a scrambler, a bobber, or something completely unique, every motorcycle has potential. If it inspires me, it’s welcome in my workshop.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
Moto Guzzi V100 Mandello S year 2024.
• Why was this bike built?
At the end of 2025, I opened my own workshop dedicated to building custom motorcycles. With a new workshop came the need for promotional material, so I decided my own Moto Guzzi V100 would become a bit of a show bike. I had wanted to give it a sportier, more aggressive look for quite some time, and this project gave me the opportunity to turn that vision into reality.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
My goal was to build a motorcycle where the modifications aren’t immediately noticeable. Every change should blend seamlessly into the original design, creating a bike that feels complete and perfectly balanced rather than obviously modified.
It was important to me to preserve an OEM look and finish. The Moto Guzzi V100 is a completely new design with its own identity, and I wanted to respect that. Instead of giving it a retro-inspired appearance, my aim was to stay true to Moto Guzzi’s modern design philosophy while subtly enhancing its lines, proportions, and overall presence.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
- Adaptive aerodynamics removed
- Extra air intakes created
- Adjustable windshield removed and replaced by a new custom fairing
- TFT display recessed deeper into the cockpit
- Handlebars lowered 1 inch
- Pillion seat replaced by custom cover, mountings for panniers removed
- Shorter license plate bracket
- Indicators Motogadet, placed inside rear panels
- Custom exhaust, I reused the catalic convertor and the end cap of the original silencer
- Engine ceramic coated in a darker grey, Valve covers ceramic coated in Bronze color
- Fairings painted in a pearl from House of Kolor, this is a dry pearl mixed in clear and the end result varies with base coat and number of layers
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
The riding experience remains true to the original V100. The most noticeable difference is the exhaust note. It has a deeper, slightly rawer sound that adds more emotion and character without becoming intrusive. Despite the richer tone, it still complies with legal noise limits. The result is a motorcycle that feels familiar yet more engaging.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
This project brought together many of the skills and techniques I hadn’t used in quite some time. It was a great opportunity to get back into the rhythm of designing, fabricating, and finishing a complete custom build.
Working with plastics was probably the biggest challenge. Repairing, reshaping, and plastic welding were all relatively new to me, so there was definitely a learning curve.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
My wife for encouraging and inspiring me to become self-employed again. Her constant support, confidence, and belief in what I do gave me the motivation to take this step and turn my passion back into my profession.
Follow the Builder
www.resetcycles.nl
www.instagram.com/resetcycles/
Photographer: Felix Kortrijk
Gorgeous! Bravo.