A Ferrari-Powered Motorcycle? Hear Its Mighty Roar!

When it comes to pushing the boundaries of motorcycle design, Maxwell Hazan is no stranger to doing the unexpected. But with his latest creation—the HF355—he may have outdone himself. This handcrafted machine is powered by none other than a 3.5-litre Ferrari V8 engine, a powerplant more commonly found under the hood of a 1990s Italian sports car.

What makes the HF355 stand out isn’t just the raw engineering—though that’s impressive in itself—it’s the way Hazan has fused mechanical precision with artistic vision, building something that’s as beautiful as it is bonkers.

A Ferrari Heart in a Custom-Built Motorcycle Frame

At the centre of the HF355 is the legendary V8 engine from a Ferrari F355. This 3.5-litre engine revs all the way up to 8,500 rpm and produces around 375 horsepower. Originally designed to power a car that could touch nearly 300 km/h, this engine now sits inside a motorcycle weighing less than 226 kg.

The result? A power-to-weight ratio that makes most superbikes look tame.

Getting hold of this engine was no easy task. Only about 11,000 Ferrari F355s were ever built, and finding a working engine is rare—not to mention expensive. But for Hazan, there was no other option. The engine’s heritage, high-revving nature, and unmistakable exhaust note made it the perfect choice for his bold vision.

The Challenge of Making It Work

Fitting a car engine into a motorcycle is not as simple as bolting it in. The Ferrari V8 is big, heavy, and powerful—everything a standard motorcycle frame isn’t built to handle.

Hazan had to start from scratch. He built a custom aluminium frame that could house the V8 while keeping the bike stable and rideable. To cope with the speeds and weight, the HF355 gets top-tier parts: Öhlins front forks, Brembo brakes, and a specially designed swingarm. The fat rear racing slick and SC Project exhaust give the bike a purposeful, track-ready look.

One of the biggest challenges was weight distribution. The engine takes up the space where the fuel tank would normally sit, so the rider now leans over the massive V8. Cooling such a powerful engine also meant designing custom radiators and an in-house oil tank. Despite all this, Hazan is aiming to keep the HF355’s weight under 500 pounds—a feat in itself.

Crafted Like a Sculpture, Built to Perform

What truly sets Hazan’s builds apart is the way he combines engineering with craftsmanship. He doesn’t rely heavily on computer design or rigid plans. Instead, he starts with raw materials—steel rods, aluminium blocks—and sketches his ideas at full scale on the workshop floor. This allows room for improvisation and creativity.

Every part on the HF355, from brackets to exhaust headers, is made in-house. Hazan’s skills in welding, machining, and tuning are all self-taught, and he’s known to spend an entire day crafting just one part to perfection.

The result? A machine that feels like a blend of sculpture and speed—a motorcycle that looks just as good standing still as it does in motion.

More Than Just a Showpiece

While the idea of a car engine in a bike might sound like a gimmick, Hazan isn’t the first to try it. Past attempts, like the Dodge Tomahawk (with a V10 engine) or even a Ferrari-powered bike from the 1970s, were often dismissed as impractical.

But Hazan’s HF355 aims to be different. This isn’t just a showpiece to be parked in a garage. With modern suspension, brakes, and ergonomic tweaks, the HF355 is built to be ridden. And that’s what makes it so compelling—it’s not just about spectacle, it’s about real-world usability.

Final Touches Before the Ride Begins

As of April 2025, the HF355 is in its final testing phase. Hazan is fine-tuning everything from engine performance to rider comfort. Once complete, the HF355 is likely to become one of the most talked-about builds in the custom motorcycle world.

But for Hazan, this isn’t about fame or viral videos. It’s about pushing boundaries, exploring what’s possible, and turning a wild idea into something real, tangible, and beautiful.

Whether the HF355 ends up roaring down a canyon road or sitting proudly in a collector’s garage, it’s already proven one thing—when engineering meets artistry, the results can be truly unforgettable.