Like many of Japan’s top motorcycle customizers, Kenji ‘Katsu’ Katsumoto got his start with vintage Harleys. But he’s not bound to any one brand or style these days—so when a client requested a Moto Guzzi Griso café racer with street fighter underpinnings, he didn’t hesitate.
Operating as Katsu Motorworks in Fukuoka, Japan, Katsumoto-san built his first Moto Guzzi café racer four years ago. Based on a rare V11 Sport Scura, it bagged him the ‘Best Café Racer’ award at the massive Mooneyes show. And it inadvertently led to this project.
According to photographer Kaz Matsumoto, the client for this build originally reached out to Katsu about the possibility of buying the V11 Sport Scura, and the two struck up a friendship.…