Lakeside Racer: A Sportster impressed by the Riva Aquarama

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Should you’re a basic watercraft aficionado, this practice Harley-Davidson Sportster ought to really feel acquainted to you. That’s as a result of it’s modeled after probably the most beautiful and distinctive boats ever constructed: the Lamborghini Riva Aquarama.

The storied Italian boat maker Riva began out constructing ferries, and has since graduated to tremendous yachts. However they’re greatest identified for his or her basic picket boats—particularly, the enduring Aquarama, in manufacturing from 1962 to 1996. One of the notable Aquarama boats, is the one which Riva in-built 1968 for Ferruccio Lamborghini.

The legend goes that Sig. Lamborghini ordered an Aquarama for himself, however wasn’t too eager on the American-made V8 engines that powered it. So he provided Riva with a pair of V12 Lamborghini energy crops, as used within the Lamborghini 350 GT. Thus, the quickest Aquarama ever was constructed.

It’s a narrative that Matteo Fustinoni at Hazard Bikes is aware of very properly. He grew up on Lago d’Iseo—the house of Riva boat works—and remembers time spent on a household good friend’s personal Aquarama as a child. So he’s constructed this Sportster as a tribute to Ferruccio Lamborghini’s particular order Riva.

The homage goes lots deeper than simply the bike’s livery and trim. Matteo’s paid his respects to the Lamborghini Aquarama in myriad methods, with many particulars that you simply’d simple miss on the primary go.

For starters, he went to the difficulty of rotating the ironhead motor’s entrance cylinder by 180 levels. Why? In order that he may set up two Weber carbs—similar to those discovered within the Lamborghini Aquarama.

The engine additionally options scorching cams, S&S Cycle pistons and a modified Morris magneto. And it’s fitted with a Pingel electrical gearshift package; gear shifts at the moment are dealt with by a pair of buttons on the handlebars. Exhaust gases exit by way of a pair of scarily brief pipes.

The Harley’s general structure remembers that particular boat’s most distinguishing characteristic: its velocity. Matteo went for a drag bike silhouette, beginning with a hand-built, stretched-out inflexible body. A shortened aftermarket springer fork does responsibility up entrance, gripping the 18” entrance wheel (and drum brake) from a Laverda 750.

Out again, a MH Racemaster drag slick wraps round a strong 16” wheel. Eager eyes will spot a disc brake caliper right here too, alongside the bike’s foot pegs.

On the reverse finish, classic Tomaselli Matador levers are fitted to clip-on bars, with a single Jaeger tacho sitting entrance and middle. However what the rider is extra prone to stare at whereas aboard this magnificent machine, is the alluring gasoline tank design.

It’s the work of Andrea Pozzoli, who was roped in to deal with all of the metal-shaping jobs on the venture. Andrea fabricated the break up gasoline and oil tanks, and the Harley’s beneficiant entrance fairing. Then grasp cabinetmaker, Davide Aresi, added a beneficiant serving to of wealthy mahogany to the construct.

But it surely’s the general coloration scheme that actually drives the purpose dwelling. Ivan Motta dealt with the paint, delicately balancing the unique Riva’s white and blue tones. The engine was completed in the identical blue because the engines within the Lamborghini Aquarama, whereas Luca Ronzoni upholstered the seat utilizing authentic Riva supplies.

Marvel on the finer touches—just like the polished drillium bits, the contrasting fins on the surface of the engine, and the tiny carved winglets that pop up in varied locations. It’s a transparent signal that this venture was near Matteo’s coronary heart.

Contemplating that the Aquarama is broadly thought of probably the most lovely runabout ever made, constructing a bike as a tribute to it’s a daring transfer—but it surely’s a transfer that’s actually paid off.