1963 Moto Guzzi Falcone Sport

(Page 5 of 5)

July/August 2009
By Robert Smith 
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Because of its racing heritage, a standard Falcone could easily be fitted with the (relatively) high-compression piston, cam and carburetor from a Dondolino to give 105mph top speed — this at a time when, for most Italians, a powered two-wheeler meant little more than a bicycle with a motor — literally — like the Ducati Cucciolo or Guzzi’s own Motoleggera.

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The Falcone was an instant success, even if production was relatively low. Around 8,400 were built between 1950 and 1968, much of that going to police and military use.

Regardless, the popularity of the Falcone prompted a rationalization of the 500cc singles range into two models. In 1953, the Astore was dropped, the GTW became the Falcone Turismo, and the former Falcone with its alloy wheels and higher performance became the Falcone Sport. It was in this format that the Falcones saw out their lives, with production tapering off in the late 1960s.
But even then it wouldn’t die. Military demand prompted Guzzi to produce the Nuovo Falcone, essentially a Falcone engine with the flywheel enclosed and fitted into modern cycle parts. Though it never achieved the acceptance (or the performance) of the “old” Falcone, almost twice as many Nuovos were built, with production ending in 1976. The same basic design had endured over 50 years. — Robert Smith

Moto Guzzi National Owners Club
www.mgnoc.com

Guzziology — The M-G Bible
www.motointernational.com/guz_spl.htm

PARTS
Moto Guzzino
www.guzzino.com

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