The bike engineers of Death Machines of London have built a fresh new motorcycle as an honorary nod/gift to the life of World War I pilot, aviator, motorcycle racer, and co-founder of Moto Guzzi: Giovanni Ravelli. Unveiled on his birthday and customized with an aviation-inspired body, the company spent 112 days souping up their latest "Airforce" model. At first you may notice the vehicle's all-over chrome appearance with the front wheel dipped in grey and the back one covered by a hand-spun aluminum disc, but soon you'll take note of the intricacies embedded into the framework of this lustrous, speed machine.

Constantly keeping the question "What would Giovanni do?" in mind, Death Machines took in a donated 1982 Moto Guzzi LeMans Mk2 found in southern Italy and gave it a completely aviation-esque makeover. Reimagined with hand-beaten aluminum body work, custom-made controls and levers, Italian leather seats, double-skinned belly pan, in-house head stock, modified Moto Guzzi California swinging arm and much, much more, this two-wheel machine comes ready to soar. Get all up in the different angels of the "Airforce" bike below and head here to read more specifics about the fighter plane-inspired motorbike.

Words: Vanessa Feder