Maxwell Hazan isn’t just building motorcycles – he’s crafting rideable sculptures that blur the line between high-performance engineering and fine art. However, his latest project, the HF355, takes things to a wildly different level. Imagine the raw power of a Ferrari F355 V8 engine stuffed into a custom motorcycle frame. Hazan isn’t just imagining it – he’s building it.
Since 2012, Hazan has earned his place among the elite custom builders of the world, revered for his one-off bikes that fuse vintage aesthetics with mechanical precision. With collectors like Bobby Haas and actor Jason Momoa among his clients, it’s no surprise that some of his machines command six-figure price tags – up to $125,000.
While his portfolio is rich with classic-inspired designs, Hazan has proven he’s not afraid to push boundaries. Take, for example, the Saltshaker – a monster of a bike delivering 250-270 horsepower that hit an astonishing 217 mph (350 km/h) across the Bonneville Salt Flats. But even that now seems tame compared to his most ambitious build to date: the HF355.
This latest machine features a 3.5-liter Ferrari V8 engine lifted from a rare F355, a mid-’90s supercar revered for its high-revving soundtrack and razor-sharp performance. Producing 375 horsepower in stock form, this engine once powered Ferraris to 183 mph (295 km/h). Now, imagine that power inside a handmade aluminum motorcycle frame that weighs less than 500 pounds (226 kg).
The result? Likely an utterly unhinged ride with a power-to-weight ratio most superbikes can only dream of.
As Hazan notes, sourcing the engine alone was no easy task. Only around 11,000 F355s were built between 1994 and 1999, and surviving examples today can command well over $100,000. That makes the HF355 not just a feat of engineering, but also an exercise in automotive archaeology.
The build is well into development. Hazan has already installed inverted front forks, a low-slung clip-on handlebar setup, race-spec brakes, tight-fitting fenders, and a fat racing slick at the rear. The exhaust system is courtesy of SC Project, promising a soundtrack that will be as unforgettable as the visuals.
He’s even documented the process, including the custom fabrication of the oil tank back in July 2024, which fans can see on his Instagram. The project is now in its mapping and testing phase, with bodywork, dashboard, and ergonomic details still to come. But the end goal is clear: to create a beast of a machine that somehow maintains both performance and rideability, all while packing an engine that would normally belong under the hood of a ’90s Italian icon.
If Hazan hits his target weight of under 500 lb, the HF355 will offer more than just brutal power – it’ll be manageable, perhaps even agile, defying everything we think we know about bikes with car-sized engines.
While we wait for more details, one thing is already certain: when the HF355 is finally complete, it won’t just be a bike – it’ll be a legend, destined for a collector’s garage but dreamed about by gearheads everywhere.
Source: maxellhazan / Instagram