Weight Watcher. A Cafe Racer On Strict Diet.

With a spirited motor and a racing stance, Moto Guzzi continues to make beautiful Cafe Racers (Just check their current V7 Racer model.) This one, a 1996 Guzzi V1100 Sport, was customized to look closer to the original style of the 70’s while still respecting the Cafe Racer formula: always adding more performance and a better suspension in a lighter package.

To make his client feel like a Ton Up Boy of the 70’s, Alain Bernard at Santiago Choppers stripped down the V1100 to bare frame, built and welded (with the help Mike Lima) a new rear subframe, reassembling the bike using only the essential parts to perform and ride fast (at 480 lbs the bike is dubbed “The Weight Watcher!), creating a new carbon fiber bodywork (with help of Grace fx), modifying front & rear suspension preload, rebound & compression, replacing the 2 batteries with 1 Antigravity, fitting the engine with a new Keihin carburetor flat side, adding a new stainless steel exhaust with cone mufflers, hiding all electronics to avoid visual clutter. Paint by Craig Skiver. “Weight Watcher” Engine size” 1064 cc, top speed: 140mph. 1/4-mile acceleration: 12.3 secs. 90bhp for 71 ft/lb torque. Santiago Choppers (photography copyright Eric Runyon courtesy to Cyril Huze)

14 Responses to “Weight Watcher. A Cafe Racer On Strict Diet.”


  1. 1 GuitarSlinger Nov 1st, 2012 at 9:18 am

    This is the epitome of what a Cafe Racer for the 21st century ‘ should ‘ be . Clean , light , functional and completely devoid of useless and pretentious visual add ons and accessories . The fact that a company known for its choppers rather than performance machines built it in my mind make this all the better .

    Two Huge thumbs up …… with a bullet ( music business lingo and a major compliment for those who don’t know )

  2. 2 Steve Carr Nov 1st, 2012 at 10:51 am

    Now this is a motorcycle. Alain and Mike are great guys… Miss seeing you both around, keep up the inovative work, and congrats on your daughters success Alain!

    Steve Carr

  3. 3 Joshua Nov 1st, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    Like, but I want an American engine, not Italian.

  4. 4 Lyle Landstrom Nov 1st, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Most guys that have been into motorcycles for a long time, eventually get around to Guzzis. That’s a beautiful bike.

  5. 5 Rodent Nov 1st, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    A updated version of the Guzzi Le Mans, neat rideable and probably fast!

  6. 6 Iron Horse Nov 1st, 2012 at 10:45 pm

    Well said GuitarSlinger! Very cool bike.

  7. 7 Hungouver Nov 2nd, 2012 at 6:44 am

    Love it big!

  8. 8 Oldude Nov 2nd, 2012 at 7:30 am

    Someday a Guzzi but not just yet. Nice work.

  9. 9 Zipper Nov 2nd, 2012 at 7:36 am

    Nice bike but I guess we all have different standards for lite weight. 480 lbs. ?

  10. 10 Aloha-Terry Nov 2nd, 2012 at 7:32 pm

    Nice bike, very nice..Alain does wonderfull work.
    Aloha-Terry

  11. 11 Woody Nov 2nd, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    Sweet, love the carbon fiber and overall look. Very nice bike!

  12. 12 Wikked Steel Nov 3rd, 2012 at 8:28 am

    This is my favorite cafe racer out there right now. I have seen this bike in person and it is, in a word, cool. Nicely done and I am sure a blast to drive! Alain, as always, first rate job!

  13. 13 Blackmax Nov 3rd, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    Nice work !!!

  14. 14 ric bonin Nov 8th, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    alain very cool i love it nice

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Cyril Huze