When Moto Guzzi re-released the V7, we figured it would slide neatly into the custom scene alongside all the other modern retros. But for whatever reason, it never really found its footing. To my mind, any motorcycle sporting a V-twin deserves a tough stance and a bit of menace, and the V7 has always come across as a little too polite. Enter Noel Muller of Australia’s Black Cycles, a man who can make any donor bike look like it’s just been dipped in cool. Handed a battered and bruised V7 III Stone, he’s given it the glorious makeover it’s always deserved, blending masterful craftsmanship with a mean streak that finally gives this Guzzi some proper attitude.
The story of this V7’s transformation starts with drama fit for a Netflix special. Owner Toby, a café owner in New South Wales, had the bike stolen right from outside his business. For a week, it was brazenly ridden around town until a sharp-eyed officer recognised it and engaged in a dramatic chase. Forty-five minutes later, the thief was in handcuffs, the Guzzi was back, and Toby was left with a slightly battered but salvageable motorcycle. The real kicker? The damage from the theft paled in comparison to years of corrosive beachside living.
That salty neglect meant Noel’s first job was a painstaking strip-down of the factory powder coat, as corrosion had crept beneath the finish and oxidised much of the engine. With everything back to bare metal, he coated the motor in a deep black base and matte clear for longevity, brushing back the upper head fins for some old-school highlight. This gritty, hands-on work set the tone for the rest of the build: a no-compromise restoration and redesign of a bike that deserved far better than its rough treatment.
Since the factory V7 III Stone was already drowning in black-on-black, Toby asked for more vibrance and personality. Noel delivered by sandblasting and matte-clearing the wheels, then shodding them with chunky but not overbearing knobbies, the ever-popular TKC 80s, to give the scrambler vibe without turning it into a dirt-only machine. He then fabricated custom aluminium fenders, side covers, and a striking front plate mounted to a Harley Street 500 headlight bucket with an LED insert. The metallic deep-green paint mixed for the tank and bodywork plays beautifully against the raw aluminium finishes, while a milk chocolate-brown seat and grips add warmth and vintage flavour.
The suspension setup received an equally thoughtful overhaul. Up front, Noel stripped and lowered the forks by 40mm, then protected them with clear Cerakote. The triple trees were smoothed, reshaped, and resprayed in a soft silver, giving them a clean, bespoke appearance. YSS adjustable shocks replaced the blown factory units in the rear, offering Toby a smoother, more confident ride whether he’s carving coastal roads or dodging potholes around town. Alloy bars, risers, and a Motogadget Speedster gauge round out the sleek and functional cockpit.
Mechanical touches didn’t stop at aesthetics. The valve covers were subtly reshaped and refinished to complement the engine. Noel then hand-fabricated a two-inch stainless exhaust system with reverse-cone mufflers, striking a balance between retro design and modern craftsmanship. The system not only looks the part but gives the 744cc transverse twin the growl it always deserved; now it finally sounds as tough as it looks.
To handle the electronics, Noel tapped into the cutting-edge tech of NWT Cycletronic. The build features NWT’s multifunction touch buttons, quick-twist throttle, SC.PROmodule, lithium-ion battery, and a suite of integrated components that modernise the bike’s systems without spoiling its minimalist vibe. Special thanks go to Peter from Byron Motorcycles, who’s the Aussie supplier, NWT’s David in Canada for technical support, and Justin from Popbang Classics for navigating the tricky CANbus integration.
The finished product is everything a modern scrambler should be: functional, striking, and full of personality. What started as a stolen, salt-ravaged Guzzi is now a road-ready custom with attitude in spades. Toby is absolutely in love, and already tearing around town on the bike, proving that in the right hands, even a neglected V7 can become a head-turner. Noel Muller has once again shown why Black Cycles is among the world’s best, and why the V7 deserves a place in the custom scene spotlight.
[ Black Cycles | Photography by Gold Coast Studios ]