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| '''Moto Guzzi''' is an ] ] manufacturer that was established in ]. The company now specializes in 90° V twin engines. | '''Moto Guzzi''' is an ] ] manufacturer that was established in ]. The company now specializes in 90° V twin engines, developed from a world war two, air-cooled, transverse V twin, pushrod engine originally used to propel a small Italian built van. | ||
| Moto Guzzi won during the years 3,329 official races , 14 World Championships and 11 times the ]. | Moto Guzzi won during the years 3,329 official races , 14 World Championships and 11 times the ]. | ||
Revision as of 03:35, 1 January 2006
Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer that was established in 1921. The company now specializes in 90° V twin engines, developed from a world war two, air-cooled, transverse V twin, pushrod engine originally used to propel a small Italian built van.
Moto Guzzi won during the years 3,329 official races , 14 World Championships and 11 times the Tourist Trophy.
The company has produced over fifty models since its inception. The most popular model was Moto Guzzi Le Mans. Four versions of the Le Mans were produced, designated I, II, III, IV, V and V11 Lemans. The I, II and III are 850cc, the IV and V are 1000cc and the V11 Lemans is 1064cc. The first two models had rounded barrels while the latter have squared barrels. All models have shaft drive and make use of Del Orto carburetors (36mm)with the late model V11 Lemans being Fuel Inj. The bikes were highly regarded for their styling and their performance. The torque of the engine and the frames rigidity meant the model was competitive at a time when Japanese manufacturers were taking over the European motorcycle market.
Recently the company has focused on the touring segment. The EV California series has been the biggest seller. The high quality suspension components and braking equipment keeps this machine out front of its competitors in this market.
Although many regard Guzzis as unreliable, it has been observed that a well maintained Guzzi engine is highly reliable. Several machines have clocked over 500,000 miles with basic maintenance. The service interval of the older models is 3000 km and if this schedule this is achieved the engine, partly due to its simplicity, will last. Later model has improved greatly on the service intervals (today between 8,000-10,000 Km).
The company was taken over in 1972 by Alessandro De Tomaso, owner of Benelli motorcycles and formed part of De Tomaso Industries Group. The actual owner is Aprilia that in August 2004 has been bought by Piaggio.
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
- 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
- 1100 Sport (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 (1064 cc)
- California Vintage (1064 cc) 2005 -
- V11 - V11 Le Mans (1064 cc) 1998 -
- Breva V750 i.e. (744 cc) 2002 -
- Breva V1100 (1064 cc) 2005 -
- 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 (the most important Italian Racing motorcycles manufacturers) agreed to stop participation to competitions.
- MGS-01 Corsa (1225 cc) 2004 -
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