The 1985 Paris-Dakar Rally will always be remembered for Gaston Rahier’s victory in the motorcycle division. The Belgian rally racer barely stood taller than the BMW R80 G/S he was piloting; a bike that would go on to become an icon itself. But there was another story unfolding further down the order.
1985 is also the year that privateer racer Claudio Torri tackled the grueling rally aboard a factory-prepped Moto Guzzi V65 TT. Torri didn’t finish, but he got far enough to impress Moto Guzzi, who fielded a full factory team the following year. Unfortunately, the whole team (which included Torri) failed to finish, and Moto Guzzi’s Dakar Rally participation was over almost as quickly as it had begun.
It’s a real shame too, because Moto Guzzi’s rally bike was cool as heck; a severely hopped-up V75 with tall suspension, a mammoth fuel tank, and a chunky solo seat. It was so cool, that it inspired Mauro Abbadini to build a modern-day tribute to it, using the new Moto Guzzi V85 TT as a platform.
Mauro runs Classic Co.—a custom shop and official Moto Guzzi service center in Madrid, that’s been operating for 30 years. Given his experience with the brand, when the opportunity to collaborate directly with Moto Guzzi’s parent company, the Piaggio Group, sprung up, Mauro went all-in.
“The Piaggio management loved the idea we put on the table,” he tells us. “To enhance the off-road abilities of the V85 TT and make an inspiring adventure motorcycle, while maintaining the special design of the bike.”
The bone-stock Moto Guzzi V85 TT is a handsome adventure bike with a measure of dirt-road capability, but it’s no off-road weapon. Mauro’s idea was to beef up the V85’s suspension, shave weight off it, and dress it in the spirit of the bike that inspired it.
Classic Co.’s first port of call was to commission a chunky new fuel tank from the Spanish metal-shaping specialists at Valtoron. Hand-formed out of aluminum, it mimics the shape of the OEM V85 tank—but it has tons more presence. A chunky rally-style seat, upholstered by Prudencio, sits just behind it.
The ‘TTc’ motif on the saddle refers to the designation that Moto Guzzi gave their rally bikes in 86, while an embroidered Guzzi eagle and Italian colors add a factory feel. The rear is finished off with a bespoke luggage rack, fitted with Classic Co. leather bags, and a custom-made carbon fiber fender. Classic Co. repurposed the V85 TT’s slim LED turn signals but swapped the taillight for an Rtech unit.
There’s more custom carbon fiber work lower down, in the form of new side panels and injector covers. There’s also a carbon fiber airbox—kitted with a DNA filter and hooked up via a pair of Mistral velocity stacks. Mistral also supplied the engine management unit and the gorgeous one-off exhaust system.
Moving to the chassis, Classic Co. swapped the front forks for adjustable upside-down units from Öhlins, adding 100 mm of extra travel. A custom-tuned shock from DMX Performance adds extra travel to the rear. The V85 TT’s 19F/17R wheels were ditched in favor of 21F/18R hoops from DID, shod with Continental TKC80 rubber, and stopped by ISR brake calipers.
Up top, Classic Co. re-housed the V85 TT’s unique twin headlights in a custom-made cage, which also serves as an anchor point for the bike’s new GPS and road book rack. The rider looks down on a set of 35 mm Easton bars and risers, fitted with ISR controls, carbon fiber hand guards, and a single foldaway mirror. The Moto Guzzi’s OEM speedo is still in play.
Finishing touches include Pivot Pegz foot pegs on custom mounting plates, a handmade aluminum bash plate, and an extended side stand to compensate for the bike’s elevated ride height.
Classic Co.’s Moto Guzzi V85 TT rally bike has shed 20 kilos [44 lbs], boosted its seat height by 105 mm [4 inches], and extended its wheelbase by a hair or two. Better yet, it looks rowdy as heck.
Big bikes don’t compete in the Dakar Rally anymore… but if they did, we’d pay good money to see Moto Guzzi give it another go.
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