Ferrari Engine in a Motorcycle: An Insane Custom Build by Hazan Motorworks
Motorcycles are pure freedom on two wheels. From high-speed sports bikes and go-anywhere adventure machines to rugged enduro bikes, laid-back cruisers, and timeless classics, every type of motorcycle delivers its own unique thrill. But then there’s another world entirely—the world of custom builds. Here, imagination and engineering collide, creating machines that are as much art as they are transportation. And sometimes, a builder goes so far beyond convention that the result becomes legendary.
That’s exactly what Maxwell Hazan has done with his latest creation: a custom motorcycle powered by a Ferrari engine. It’s outrageous. It’s brilliant. And it’s the kind of project that reminds us why motorcycling is endlessly fascinating. and Hazan’s creation joins some insane builds from the past like the Boss Hoss V8 Chevy to the Y2K superbike with its jet turbine engine.
The Ferrari-Powered Custom Motorcycle Everyone’s Talking About
Maxwell Hazan, the award-winning craftsman behind Hazan Motorworks, has spent over a decade pushing the limits of motorcycle design. His workshop has produced machines that blend raw mechanical beauty with astonishing performance, earning him a loyal following and a client list that includes big names like Jason Momoa and the late Bobby Haas.
But his latest project—the Hazan Motorworks HF355—is unlike anything he’s ever built. At its heart lies a 3.5-liter Ferrari F355 V8 engine, a legendary Italian powerplant capable of 400 hp. Originally designed for a supercar, this engine now lives in a motorcycle chassis weighing under 500 lbs (226 kg). The concept alone borders on madness; the execution is a masterclass in engineering artistry.
Engineering Genius Meets Sheer Ambition
Fitting a Ferrari V8 into a motorcycle isn’t as simple as bolting parts together. Hazan designed the HF355’s frame so the engine itself acts as a stressed member, directly supporting the bike’s chassis. This not only reduces weight but also gives the bike a striking, mechanical aesthetic.
The build includes a custom underslung swingarm, a horizontal Öhlins rear shock absorber to manage the engine’s bulk, and a gearbox sourced from a Motus V4. An SC-Project exhaust system amplifies the V8’s signature howl, while twin underslung radiators handle cooling duties in place of the Ferrari’s original system.
A Design That’s Pure Racing Inspiration
Visually, the HF355 is stunning. Hazan began by carving the bike’s shape from polystyrene, resulting in a sleek silhouette reminiscent of Moto2 race machines. The seat unit doubles as the fuel tank, while low-mounted clip-ons, inverted forks, and race-spec brakes reinforce its high-performance pedigree.
Despite its radical design, Hazan’s approach remains rooted in function. Every element serves a purpose, from the lightweight bodywork to the wide racing slick on the rear wheel.
From Workshop Teasers to a Running Machine
Fans have been following the HF355’s journey since Hazan first teased it in May 2024. Early dyno footage showed the Ferrari V8 screaming to life, and recent updates reveal the bike running under its own power for the first time. Final performance numbers remain a mystery, but given its power-to-weight ratio, the HF355 is set to deliver ferocious speed and a soundtrack unlike anything else on two wheels.
What This Build Means for Motorcycling
Projects like the HF355 are rare. They challenge the limits of what’s possible and inspire riders, builders, and dreamers alike. In an era where many motorcycles are mass-produced and sanitized, Hazan’s Ferrari-powered masterpiece is a reminder of why this culture endures: creativity, passion, and a refusal to play it safe.
For now, Hazan hasn’t revealed who will own the HF355 or when it might appear on the road. But one thing’s for sure—this bike has already cemented itself as one of the most exciting custom builds of the decade.
HF355 Specifications
- Ferrari F355 engine, 3500cc, 385 hp (stock)
- Engine weight 237 lbs
- Dry sump motor
- SC Project exhaust
- Carbon fiber bodywork (under 10 lbs)
- Overall weight ~550 lbs ±10 lbs (without bodywork)
- Wheelbase 63 inches (5 inches longer than a conventional sports bike)
- No traditional frame, everything bolted directly to engine and transmission
- Rear suspension linkage system
- Front suspension Öhlins
- Twin underslung radiators
- 4 electric fans, ECU-controlled water pump
- Oil housed in rear section
Hazan Maxwell
Hazan’s Instagram –
The Ultimate DIY Unicorn Adventure Bike – 500cc Twin weighing under 355 pounds
Ever dreamt of the perfect adventure bike—but realized no manufacturer actually builds it? Yeah, same here. But instead of ranting on forums like the rest of us, Andy Scutt went full mad scientist and built his dream ADV machine from scratch.
The result? A 2015 Honda CRF250L with a CB500X twin-cylinder engine shoehorned in. It’s wild. It’s fast. It’s reliable. And honestly? It’s probably better than anything the big brands are selling right now.
Let’s break this beauty down.
What Is This Frankenbike?
At its core, it’s a CRF250L chassis—lightweight, steel-framed, rugged. But Andy dumped the stock 250cc single and slotted in a twin-cylinder CB500X engine, instantly doubling the horsepower and tripling the torque. All in a 156kg, fully-fuelled ADV weapon that’s comfy on the highway and equally capable off-road.
This isn’t just a cool custom. This is what manufacturers should be making.
Why Build It?
Simple: No one makes a lightweight twin that can actually adventure.
Andy’s done it all—KTM 690s, rally builds, endless modding. But he hates vibrating singles on long rides (don’t we all?). What he wanted was:
- A smooth twin engine
- Under 160kg wet weight
- Serviceable anywhere in the world
- Capable of multi-day, 12-hour off-road slogs
Manufacturers? Nowhere close. So Andy rolled up his sleeves and made it himself.
The Specs: Built To Roam, Built To Rip
Let’s get into the juicy details.
Engine Swap Magic
- Donor Engine: CB500X twin
- Power: Around 47 hp
- Torque: Way more than the original 250L (like, 3x)
- Weight Difference: Just +9kg over stock
That engine sits butter-smooth at 80mph all day. Off-road? It’s a mountain goat with manners.
Frame & Fabrication
- Stock CRF250L steel frame
- Custom engine mounts & cradle
- Modified for quick engine removal (~30 mins)
- Bolt-off rear subframe—replaced after a loop-out incident (ask Andy about that one)
Steel means field-repairable anywhere. Snap it in Mongolia? Any village welder can fix it.
Suspension & Wheels
- Front End: CRF450X KYB forks
- Rear Shock: YSS 300 Rally (extra ground clearance)
- Wheels: SM Pro 450X with custom cush drive (no slipper clutch here)
- Handling: Stable, plush, totally composed—feels like a factory rally rig
Practical As Hell
Everything is designed for real-world adventure:
- Honda parts throughout: air filters, plastics, ECU—easy to source worldwide
- 12.5L fuel tank = ~200 miles range
- Clever hydration system: magnetic drinking hose, no sweaty backpack
- Custom exhaust: quiet but crackly, tuned for smooth performance
- Maintenance: 6,000–7,000 mile oil intervals, valve checks every 28,000 mi—none needed yet
And yes, this thing has survived 24,000+ miles, mostly off-road. No drama. No breakdowns.
Why Doesn’t This Bike Exist Off the Shelf?
That’s the million-dollar question. Andy’s even shown it to Honda UK. Eight years later, no manufacturer has stepped up and we can safely say no manufacturer will build such a bike. A unicorn motorcycle like this can and will easily eat into the sales of the big and expensive 800/1200cc ADV bikes which bring in a lot more revenue than an inexpensive, repair-anywhere, do-it-all adventure motorcycle.
Closest thing? Maybe the Cove 450 Rally, but:
- Heavier
- Shorter service intervals
- Still a single-cylinder
Even the lightest factory twins—like the CB500X—come in 30–40kg heavier than Andy’s build after upgrades. That’s like strapping a passenger on before packing your luggage.
Final Thoughts: Manufacturers, Take Notes
This build proves what’s possible when you mix ingenuity with reliability. Honda’s got the parts. The community’s got the demand. The only thing missing? A company brave enough to bolt it together.
Until then, Andy’s bike is the dream. One man, one vision, one seriously capable machine.
If you want to know more, get in touch with Andy on his Instagram account – IG – “bike_build_ride“
The man himself – Andy Scutt
Itchy Boots Announces New Book at ABR Festival 2025: Continuing the “Free Ride” Adventure
Exciting news for fans of adventure motorcycling! Noraly Schoenmaker, better known as Itchy Boots, has just announced her plans for a new book at the ABR Festival 2025. This reveal has sent ripples of anticipation through her dedicated global following, eager to delve deeper into the extraordinary life of a woman who has redefined solo travel on two wheels.
This forthcoming title will undoubtedly pick up where her critically acclaimed debut, “Free Ride: The Story of the Girl Who Rode Around the World,” left off. “Free Ride” captivated readers with Noraly’s candid storytelling, detailing the initial leap of faith she took in 2018 to leave her corporate life behind and embark on an epic motorcycle journey from India. It chronicled her adventures, challenges, and the profound personal growth she experienced while navigating diverse landscapes and cultures on her trusty Royal Enfield Himalayan, Basanti. The book’s success, reaching both the Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller lists, is a testament to the universal appeal of her spirit and the raw honesty of her narrative.
Now, with the announcement of her new book, it’s clear that Noraly’s journey is far from over. Her current expedition, aiming for Japan on her vintage Yamaha XT600Z, affectionately named Frankie, is already providing ample material for another captivating read. As she recently shared at the ABR Festival, this leg of her adventure has already seen her traverse some 20,000 kilometers from Istanbul through challenging terrains like Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, before reaching Dubai.
What makes Noraly’s stories so compelling isn’t just the sheer scale of her travels, but her unwavering resilience in the face of adversity. As she candidly admits, no matter the bike, she’s bound to “destroy it” in some form or another. From a malfunctioning fuel filter to a stolen motorcycle (both recovered, thankfully, thanks to some clever AirTag placement), her journey with Frankie has already presented its fair share of dramatic twists. Yet, it’s precisely these moments of struggle – a bent gear shifter in Iraq or navigating a thousand kilometers without electricity after a botched theft attempt – that forge the most memorable tales.
Her decision to switch to a vintage motorcycle for this new chapter also adds a fascinating dimension. As Noraly explained, it’s a deliberate choice to seek new challenges and embrace the simplicity of a machine that can be fixed with a hammer and a screwdriver by a roadside mechanic. This ethos perfectly embodies the spirit of self-reliance and adaptability that permeates her travels.
The upcoming book promises to delve into these new experiences, continuing to inspire readers to push their own boundaries and embrace the unexpected. Just as “Free Ride” illuminated the transformative power of stepping outside one’s comfort zone, the new title is expected to explore the deeper lessons learned from navigating the world on a less-than-perfect, yet perfectly capable, vintage machine.
For those who have followed her YouTube channel or read “Free Ride,” the announcement of a new book is a welcome invitation to join Noraly once again on her remarkable odyssey. It’s a chance to witness the continued evolution of an adventurer who finds joy not just in the destination, but in the thrilling, often messy, process of getting there.
Are you excited to read about Noraly’s latest adventures with Frankie?
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