Shiro Nakajima, the CEO of leading Japanese custom workshop Ritmo Sereno, is a keen vintage racer. He’s been campaigning his Moto Guzzi Ambassador for a couple of years now, and felt it was time for a refresh. In its original incarnation—which we revealed just over two years ago—the Guzzi looked more like a road machine than a racer. Nakajima has now stripped the last vestiges of excess from his bike, and it’s looking better than ever.
The biggest changes are at the rear, which has been completely rebuilt in a quest to “add lightness”, as Lotus’ Colin Chapman might have said. The rear subframe and fender are gone, replaced by a lightweight seat and tail unit from AMP Design, upholstered by Razzle Dazzle. The tank is new too, a stock Guzzi tank that’s been cut and shut to make it narrower and lighter. An aircraft-style filler sits on top.
The front fairing is gone, replaced by a machined number plate mount that also protects the single tach and digital P-Lap recorder. And the exhaust now exits into a conventional reverse cone racing muffler on either side of the back wheel, instead of underneath the bike. The finishing touch is the rich cream paint and black pinstriping (applied with great dexterity by the bizarrely named Crown Stupid paint shop).
Nakajima reports that the bike feels faster and more rigid, with greatly improved cornering. Looks like another winner from Ritmo Sereno, don’t you think?