Like many Japan’s leading motorcycle customizer, Kenji ‘Katsu’ Katsumoto started with classic Harleys. But these days he’s not tied to any brand or style — so when a customer asks for Moto Guzzi Griso cafe racer With a background as a street fighter, he doesn’t hesitate.
Operating as Katsu Motorworks in Fukuoka, Japan, Katsumoto-san built his first Moto Guzzi cafe racing bike four years ago. Based on a rare V11 Sport Scura, it brought him the ‘Best Café Racer’ award at the big Mooneyes show. And it led to this project by accident.
According to photographer Kaz Matsumoto, the customer of this build initially contacted Katsu about the possibility of purchasing the V11 Sport Scura, and the two struck up a friendship. Not long before that, the customer ordered his own custom Moto Guzzi, asking for Griso as a sponsor.
Griso 8V 1,151 cc would be the ideal platform, but Kaz told us they are hard to get in Japan. So Katsu looked to buy a 2006 model Griso 1100 to replace it and decided to upgrade it with a few key Griso 8V parts.
While Katsu’s award-winning V11 inspired this build, it’s not a carbon copy. As the project is done, it moves in a new direction, dictated by the client’s inclinations and a few specific requirements. “The client said he liked street fighters and cafe racers,” explains Kaz, “so Katsu decided to combine the two.”
“Also, the owner is a speed freak, and so Katsu came up with a sharp, angular design.”
A specific requirement is that all bodywork be profiled in aluminum and unpainted. So Katsu removed all bits of the Moto Guzzi and started building devices that replaced them, starting with the gas tank. However, all was not smooth sailing, and it took a lot of trial and error to achieve the strong, geometric feel that this Griso now wears so beautifully.
It takes a few tries to pick up all the subtle details. Directly in front of the fuel tank is a separate handcrafted part for the ignition — a small part that certainly took a lot of work to manufacture. We also love the air ducts integrated into the custom side panels and the rail frame that Katsu built to place under them.
The short boxed tail hides the custom subframe, leaving the impression of a floating rear end. Details abound here as well; a small rear-mounted LED taillight, a lowered fender and a stylish Alcantara detailing on the seats. And if you’re looking for turn signals, you’ll find them mounted on either side of a custom-built license plate frame.
The front end is also cleaner, with hand-crafted fenders that feel organic but don’t clash with other angular details. Higher up are the nacelle custom headlights, with two embedded LED headlights.
Katsu fitted a set of CNC-machined wheels shortly after, so he could clip-on without cluttering the cockpit with a pair of ’empty’ bar mounts. These bars are taken from a Ducati 999S and fitted with a Nissin controller. One Motogadget speedo sits perfectly in the gap in front of the top yoke.
Those spokes also house a fully adjustable inverted fork from the newer Griso 8V. Katsu also wanted to use the 8V’s radial-mounted Brembo brake calipers, but they wouldn’t fit on the 1100’s great classic three-spoke wheels. Finally, a custom disc spacer with new Pro Brake discs was added. solve the problem.
Katsu didn’t rip the inside of Moto Guzzi’s engine, but he did clean the exterior and paint it fresh. The airbox has been switched to a pair of K&N filters, while the muscular stainless steel exhaust system delivers the sound.
The finishing touches include a new set of rear wheels and strong Michelin Power GP tires.
Prior to founding Katsu Motorworks, Katsu worked in a Harley-Davidson dealership for twelve years, focusing on metalwork and paintwork. His portfolio is full of gorgeous paint jobs, but he respects his client’s wishes here and lets the aluminum shine.
The client wanted at least some color on the Griso, so Katsu chose a deep burgundy from House of Kolor and covered the frame. With accents on the wheels and cylinder heads, it’s the perfect accent to offset the jagged bodywork.
It’s hard to believe that a modern cafe racer like this can roll out of the workshop like a Shovelhead chopper — but it’s true, and it’s amazing. Here’s hoping that Katsu never falters.
Katsu Motorworks | Facebook | Instagram | Pictures of (and with thanks) Kazuo Matsumoto
