Craig Rodsmith’s Turbocharged Moto Guzzi

Tucked away on a Chicago side street lies Rodsmith Handmade Customs & Rods, the workshop of one Craig Rodsmith, badass and bike-builder at large. The Aussie native tuned up his first bike — a ’57 BSA — at the age of 12, and he’s been slapping chrome flourishes on everything from bicycles to WWII fighter planes for the 25 years since.

And this silver bullet beauty is what he does best.

First presented at BMW’s Handbuilt Motorcycle Show in Austin, the hand-formed, aluminum-dressed Dustbin Racer was sold the moment it saw the light of day.

Moto Guzzi (7 images)

Here’s what’s going on with this Guzzi.

The frame is based on a ‘69 Ambassador loop frame, but shaved down and reshaped for a more countoured appearance. The engine, built by The Guzzi Doctor, is a pushing out 950 ccs via an 850 Eldorado-based engine and Garrett-style turbo system. But what’s most of interest here is obviously that blinding hood, which was completely shaped by hand. No laser cutting allowed. “I’ve wanted to build my take on a dustbin racer for over twenty years,” Rodsmith says, “and it had to be in my usual style — handmade and bare metal.”

The beauty is currently on show at the Haas Motorcycle Gallery in Dallas, home to nearly 40 vintage and custom motorcycles that date back as far as 1901.

Hope they have good locks on the doors.