We don’t usually go in for themed bikes around here—but once in a while a custom builder nails a concept and piques our interest. Case in point; this Moto Guzzi California 1100, which takes inspiration from the hit zombie apocalypse TV series, The Walking Dead.
It’s the work of Matteucci Garage, run by Marco Matteucci out of Montegranaro, Italy. And it’s not just inspired by The Walking Dead in general, but rather by a particular character; Negan. Played by the charismatic Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Negan is a villian-cum-anti-hero known for his dark humor and brutal methods.
Negan is also known for his attire and choice of weaponry. He’s typically seen in a leather jacket and red scarf, and wields a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire. Marco, who’s no stranger to quirky custom motorcycles, wanted to capture those details—while also playing on traditional café racer themes.
“Every time I come across a Moto Guzzi it’s like having a blank canvas and lots of colors to choose from,” he explains. “It’s always stimulating to try to create something unseen—and the platform, especially the larger series, is a strong inspiration to me. With this California 1100, I wanted to return to exploring a sleek, speedy style, with daring lines and different materials.”
Matteucci Garage started by ditching the 2003-model Moto Guzzi California 1100’s bodywork and abbreviating its subframe. New parts were shaped by hand out of aluminum, including the front fender, fairing, fuel tank, and waspish tailpiece. The changes had a radical effect on the California’s silhouette, taking it from chunky cruiser to sharp café racer.
The fuel tank was treated to a distressed effect, before being finished off with a pop-up cap and custom Matteucci Garage badges. Then the fairing and tailpiece were wrapped in black calfskin with contrast stitching; a nod to Negan’s leather jacket.
All of the leather bits—including the nubuck on the stylish split seat—were given a water-repellant coating. Distressed aluminum strips were added to the tail section and generous front fender to complement the fuel tank. Matteucci added another homage to Negan by 3D printing barbed wire adornments for the bodywork.
The shop also fabricated a set of sculpted side covers that interface neatly with the California’s new pod filters. They’re painted matte black and adorned with bright red logos that reference the bike’s inspiration.
For the headlight, Matteucci took an LED unit and mounted it in a bespoke aluminum ring that they turned on their lathe. A slim LED taillight was Frenched into the back of the tail cowl, with custom LED turn signals running from the underside of the tail into the ends of the frame rails. Other original pieces include the handmade windscreen and the aluminum throttle body covers.
For the cockpit, Matteucci fitted clip-ons that were custom-made from a set of ‘regular’ handlebars. The switches are original, but the waffle-pattern grips are fresh. A Daytona speedo is tucked behind the fairing—as is a red scarf. New foot controls complete the control package.
There’s some clever engineering hiding underneath the stylized bodywork. Since the new tank is smaller than the original unit, the fuel pump and filter are now hidden inside the tail section. The Moto Guzzi’s engine sports fresh finishes, with its polished valve covers contrasting the worn vibe of the handmade stainless steel mufflers.
Matteucci retained the California’s Brembo brakes and 18F/17R tubeless wheels, but wrapped the latter in fresh Michelin rubber. They also kept both the side- and center-stands, adding a touch of practicality to this post-apocalyptic café racer.
Marco’s Walking Dead-inspired Moto Guzzi California 1100 might be a little extreme for some, but we admire the dedication to his vision—and the level at which he’s executed it. If Negan rode a motorcycle in the show, this one would fit him like a glove.
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