Moto Sutdio’s V9 Pro Build
Moto Studio’s Bruce McQuiston is normally a café racer type of guy. But his hometown of Miami is not really built for café racer living; the roads are less than perfect, and the traffic is dense. In that type of urban environment, a café racer simply doesn’t appeal to comfortable riding needs.
Regardless of what type of bike is perfect to take on Miami in comfort, McQuiston still believes in embracing style – especially styling taken from the architecture around Miami. What better way to do so than with a custom Moto Guzzi V9 Scrambler?
Moto Studio was selected as one of four builders for the Moto Guzzi V9 Pro Build series, and the Kutztown University graduate of Fine Arts and race car driver went to work on a bike that reflected the Sunshine State. When finished with the V9 Roamer, his creation and subsequent solution was dubbed the “Braapster.” And for good reason.
This urban scrambler is not just knobbies and handlebars with some custom paint. Rather, the entire bike was overhauled for a truly custom scrambler, and includes a swing arm fabricated at Moto Studio, Dellorto PHF carbs, and a front end borrowed from a KTM. McQuiston’s mission was to embrace the look of a Moto Guzzi, but the feel of a Moto Studio motorcycle, saying “where the Moto Guzzi design ends, the Moto Studio design begins.”
The Moto Guzzi V9 Scrambler was designed to handle well, and has some very unique suspension and a cushy 8 inches of suspension travel from the upside-down front fork. But it’s out back where things get interesting; the Braapster is equipped with a Sachs Formula Matrix 4 way damper designed for a race car. It was re-fabricated to use with the Braapster’s mono shock setup and fabricated rear swingarm.
The 853cc engine was next for customization. First, it was stripped of any modern electronics, including fuel injection. The transverse twin now breaths through a set of Dellorto PHF 36 carbs mounted on a gorgeous Moto Studio intake, the induction system providing a classic 1960’s feel. The exhaust is equally as gorgeous as the swingarm, McQuiston hand-building the 2-into-1 setup. Taking care of the firing is a Radical Guzzi ignition box.
This clean engine simplicity transitions to the bodywork, which was fabricated in house at Moto Studios. Noticeable is the tank’s wideness, a tail piece that perfectly blends into the air, and the custom black-leather seat with metal accents. Other highlights include an LED combo rear tail light, a flush-mount headlight with a grille built out of machined Guzzi parts, and Renthal bars dressed with a Motogadget tach and Domino parts.
And you can’t forget about the gorgeous gas cap, or equally gorgeous black wheels that are shod in Allstate Dirtman tires.
This is one Guzzi that will remain at the forefront of the custom urban motorcycle scene for some time. Great work on this one Moto Studio!
