The rise of the ‘modern classic’ is brilliant news for riders who prefer retro styling. But even the best examples of this genre fall a hair short of perfection.
Maybe the seat is too wide, ruining the lines. Or the muffler is too big, or the lighting too bulky. It’s usually the result of legislation, cost cutting, or design-by-committee.
There’s always room for improvement. And no one exploits that extra room like Brooklyn-based Stefano Venier—especially when it comes to Moto Guzzi’s popular V7.
This V7 is the fourth in Venier’s ironically-named ‘Tractor’ series of builds. It shares the same lusso aesthetic as its predecessors, but with discreet and effective tweaks.
‘Tractor 04’ features all-new aluminum bodywork, different to the scrambler-flavored 03. The tank’s shape is slightly more elongated this time around.
The seat itself has been hand-made and wrapped in leather. It’s a little longer too, designed to accommodate a passenger (if you and said passenger are cosy, that is). And out back, the seat and fender combo are now packing a beautifully integrated LED taillight.
Venier’s swapped the rear shocks for a set of adjustable Ikon items. And rather than wearing chunky, off-road biased tires, ‘04’ is equipped with more usable dual sport rubber from Goldentyre. (Moto Guzzi offers the same tires in its aftermarket kits).
Up front is an LED headlight, held in place by custom brackets. The bars are blacked-out aluminum units, and the grips are from Biltwell Inc. Rounding out the package are a new front fender and side panels.
The V7’s livery is both simple and immaculate, but it’s the finer details that drive the point home. The cylinder head covers have been replaced with more vintage-looking parts. And note the Venier logos on the GPS speedo and custom-made MASS Moto mufflers.
All these changes have been executed without any modifications to the frame—making the Moto Guzzi a very street legal and usable machine. Stefano sees the changes as more of a redesign than a full-bore custom build.
On paper it sounds like a subtle set of upgrades. But the result is a sweetly-massaged V7 that’s gone from ‘almost there’ to downright perfetto.
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