Motto Guzzi Motorcycles

Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer that was established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario by the Lake Como at the foot of the Alps in northern Italy.

History

From the 1930s it was the biggest, and until the '60s, the dominant marque amongst Italian motorcycle manufacturers. The engineer (and co-founder) Carlo Guzzi's first engine design was a horizontal single, that in a number of guises dominated the first 45 years of the company's history. From the beginning the company used racing to promote their brand. Moto Guzzi won 3,329 official races, 14 World Championships and 11 times the Tourist Trophy.

Until the mid '40s, the traditional horizontal four stroke single cylinder 500 cc engines outfitted with one overhead and one side valve were the most performance oriented machines that Moto Guzzi sold to the general public. At the same time the official racing team and private racers were furnished with all sorts of racing machines which included a plethora of overhead cam, multiple valve configurations and cylinder designs, culminating in the legendary 500 cc dohc V8 that ended the Guzzi racing era in 1957, when the factory withdrew from racing for financial reasons.

The period after World War 2 was as difficult in Mandello del Lario as it was elsewhere in post war Europe. The solution was production of cheap lightweights. The '46 "Motoleggera", a 65 cc lightweight motorcycle became hugely popular in postwar Italy. A 4 stroke 175 cc scooter known as the "Galletto" was a stable seller as well. Though relatively modest for Guzzis, these, and all other models were relatively upmarket and high quality in their corner of the market.

A History serving the Public

Historically, much of Moto Guzzi's production has gone to the Italian army and police. In addition, Moto Guzzis were also adopted by various American police departments, challenging the niche market dominance of Harley Davidson. The horizontal single, and from the seventies the V2, has been the official motorcycle of Italy.

1960 to present

The company currently specializes in 90? V-twin engines. The original V-twin was designed in the early '60s by engineer Giulio Cesare Carcano, designer of the fabulous V8 racer. The air-cooled, in-line V-twin, pushrod engine started out with 700 cc displacement and 45 hp. This engine was designed to win a competition for a new police bike sponsored by the Italian government. The sturdy V-twin easily won and saved the firm from extinction. This original engine has been continuously developed into the 1200 cc 80 hp versions offered today (2006).

In 1979 a small block version designed by the engineer Lino Tonti was introduced as the V50. This design was the basis for the 750 Breva and Nevada engines.

Popular models

The company has produced over fifty models since its inception. One of its most famous machines has been the Le Mans. This model was a further development of the 1971 750 V7 Sport designed by Guzzi engineer Lino Tonti. The V7 Sport was planned as the first five speed, 200 kg, 200 km/h, production motorcycle. With its disc brakes and additional displacement, the 850 Le Mans lived up to the promise of the V7 Sport. When the Le Mans debuted in 1976 it was among the 5 best performing road bikes available.

Six versions of the Le Mans have been produced, designated I, II, III, IV, V and V11 Le Mans. The I, II and III are 850 cc, the IV and V are 1000 cc and the V11 Le Mans is 1064 cc. The first two models had rounded air-cooling fins on the barrels while the latter have squared fins(known as "round-fin" and "square-fin"). All models have shaft drive. Early models use 36 or 40 mm Dellorto carburetors but the late model V11 Le Mans are fuel injected. All the machines in this series are highly regarded for their styling and performance.

In the '80s and '90s the California models were the biggest sellers. The first model appeared in 1972, and was based on a model sold to the L.A. police department. The combination of European performance and maneuverability coupled with laid back American styling has secured this model its cult following all over the world.

Engine reliability

Although many regard Guzzis as old fashioned, it has been observed that a well maintained Guzzi engine can prove to be highly reliable. Several machines have clocked over 200,000 miles with basic maintenance. The service interval of the older models is 3000 km and if this schedule is maintained the engine, due to the soundness of the original design, will last. After 1975 (from late T models) all models were equipped with a proper oil filter, which helps considerably on longevity, compared to the early models which merely had a sieve. Later models have improved greatly on the service intervals (today between 8,000-10,000 km).

Ownership

After financial troubles since the late '60s, the factory was bought by the Argentinian industrialist Alejandro de Tomaso in 1972. A period of increasing control by an American investment group in the '90s was put to an end by the takeover by a competitive manufacturer, Aprilia, in 2000. In 2004 the Piaggio group took over Aprilia forming Europe's biggest two wheel manufacturer. The investments made by recent owners seem to bear fruit, as new models are now (2006) appearing at a rate not seen in recent years. The 2004 Breva 750, 2005 Breva 1100 and Griso 1100, 2006 Norge 1200 are all-new motorcycles with very competitive engineering and design, although the strong heritage/image still seems to be the key to survival for the small Italian manufacturer by the romantic Lake Como. Guzzi is the "grand old lady" of Italian mototorcycle industry, and has so far been kept alive by the warm feelings surrounding it in Italy and abroad!

Production

Most important production models

Normale (498,4 cc) 1921 - 1924

Sport 15 (498,4 cc) 1923 - 1928

GT "Norge" (498,4 cc) 1928 - 1930

Sport 14 (498,4 cc) 1929 - 1930

Sport 15 (498,4 cc) 1931 - 1939

GT 17 500 cc (499 cc) 1932 - 1939

GTS (498,4 cc) 1934 - 1940

Alce (498,4 cc) 1939 - 1945

Airone (246 cc) 1939 - 1957

Dondolino 500 cc (499 cc) 1946 - 1951

Motoleggera 65 cc (64 cc) 1946 - 1954

Astore (498,4 cc) 1949 - 1953

Falcone (498,4 cc) 1950 - 1967

Galletto 160 cc (159,5 cc) 1950 - 1966

Cardellino 73 cc (73 cc) 1956 - 1965

Zigolo (98 cc) 1953 - 1966

Lodola Sport (175 cc) 1956 - 1966

Stornello 125 cc (123,1 cc) 1960 - 1975

Dingo 3 marce (48,89 cc) 1963 - 1976

Dingo 4 marce (48,89 cc) 1963 - 1976

Trotter Special M (48,89 cc) 1966 - 1973

V7 700cc (703,72 cc) 1967 - 1977

V7 Special 750 (757,49 cc) 1968 - 1974

V7 750 Sport (748,39 cc) 1971 - 1973

750 S (748cc) 1974

750 S3 (748cc) 1975- 1976

Nuovo Falcone 500 (499 cc) 1971 - 1976

V850 Le Mans (844,05 cc) 1975 - 1980

1000 SP (948,8 cc) 1977 - 1985

V50 (490,29) 1977 - 1979

V35 (346,2 cc) 1977 - 1980

V1000 Idroconvert (948,8 cc) 1971 - 1980

V50 Monza (490,29 cc) 1980 - 1985

Le Mans III (844 cc) 1980 - 1985

California II (948,8 c) 1981 - 1987

V65 (643,4 cc) 1982 - 1987

V35 Custom (346,2 cc) 1982 - 1987

850 T5 (844,05 cc) 1983 - 1987

V65 Lario (643,4 cc) 1984 - 1989

Le Mans 1000 (948,8 cc) 1984 - 1988

California III (948,8 cc) 1987 - 1993

1000 GT (949 cc) 1987 - 1993

Nevada 350 (346,2 cc) 1991 - 2001

Daytona 1000 IE (992 c) 1991 - 1999

Sport 1100 (1064 cc) 1994 - 1997

V10 Centauro (992 cc) 1998 - 2001

Quota 1100 ES (1064) 1998 - 2001

V11 Sport (1064 cc) 1998 - 2001

Actual production range

Nevada Classic 750 i.e. (744 cc)

Stone - Stone Touring (1064 cc)

California - California EV - California EV Touring (1064 cc)

California Vintage (1064 cc) 2005 -

V11 - V11 Le Mans (1064 cc) 1998 -

Breva V750 i.e. (744 cc) 2002 -

Breva 850 (877 cc) 2006 -

Breva V1100 (1064 cc) 2005 -

Griso 850 (877 cc) 2006 -

Griso (1064 cc) 2005 -

Norge 1200 (1134 cc) 2005 -

Racing models

(not complete)

C 4V (500 cc) 1924 - 1927

250 cc SS 1928 - 1933

250 cc Compressore 1938

Albatros (250 cc ) 1928 - 1933

Bicilindrica (500 cc) 1933 - 1951

Dondolino (500 cc) 1946 - 1951

Gambalunga (500 cc) 1946 - 1951

Gambalunghino (250 cc) 1949 - 1952

Quattro Cilindri (500 cc) 1952 - 1954

Bialbero (250 cc) 1953 - 1955

Bialbero (350 cc) 1954 - 1957

Otto Cilindri (500 cc) 1955 - 1957

At the end of 1957 Moto Guzzi, Gilera and Mondial ceased participation in competitions.

MGS-01 Corsa (1225 cc) 2004 -

Original Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Agusta

Additional Information: Moto Guzzi's official website