Classic Italian Motorcycles
- Benelli
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- Cagiva
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- Ceccato
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- Ducati
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- Gilera
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- Laverda
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- Morbidelli
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- Moto Guzzi
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- Moto Morini
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- MV Agusta
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- Parilla
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- Rumi
Fast but Fragile: 1985-1987 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
The Motorcycle Classics Staff
1974 Moto Guzzi 850 Eldorado
Robert Smith
Café Veloce: 1978-1988 Moto Guzzi SP1000
Motorcycle Classic Staff
White Elephant
Richard Backus
Dream Machine: MV Agusta 750S America
Greg Williams
1965 Ducati Mach 1
Greg Williams
(re) Learning the Basics
Richard Backus
From Eritrea to Tennessee: 1934 and 1939 Moto Guzzi GTS 500
Bud Mcintire | Photos Bostelman Photography
Little Speed Fiend: 1967 Ducati 50 SL/1
Hamish Cooper
Classic Benelli Motorcycles
Big Breeze from Italy: 1971-76 Benelli 650 Tornado
Benelli 650 Tornado Years Produced: 1971-1976 Power: 52-57hp @ 7,200rpm Top Speed: 97 mph (period test) Engine: 643cc (84mm x 58 mm) air-cooled, OHV parallel twin Transmission: 5-speed, chain final drive Weight/MPG: 480lb wet/40-50mpg (avg.) Price then/now: $1,779 (1973)/$2,000-$9,000 Timing may not be everything, but bad timing can scuttle the best of plans. Through most ...
The Motorcycle Classics Staff
Unexpected Six: 1983 Benelli 900 Sei
Greg Williams
Motorcycle Classics/RetroTours/River Road Sweepstakes Winner!
Richard Backus
The Benelli Sei 900
Doug Mitchel
Barry Porter’s Benelli Sei 750
Margie Siegal
Classic Cagiva Motorcycles
Missed Adventure: 1984-1987 Cagiva Elefant
1984-1987 Cagiva Elefant 650Claimed power: 55hp @ 7,500rpmTop speed: 115mph (indicated)Engine: 649cc air-cooled SOHC desmodromic V-twinWeight: 454lb (wet)Fuel capacity/MPG: 38mpg (avg.)Price then/now: $4,632 (1986)/$1,750-$3,000The present-day fad for adventure touring motorcycles has, like most fashions, a precedent in a previous generation. But it wasn’t Ewan McGregor ...
The Motorcycle Classics Staff
Classic Ceccato Motorcycles
Circa-1954 Ceccato 75cc Twin Cam
Critically acclaimed food author and television personality Anthony Bourdain would tell us that a steak cooked rare is a pretty common thing.That’s why Bourdain, sometimes scootering around or riding in a sidecar on his show No Reservations, documents the lesser-known dishes available from around the globe — he’s often seen scarfing down morsels of food ...
Greg Williams
Classic Ducati Motorcycles
The Rare Vincati
The 1970's bred a worldwide generation of "shadetree machanics." These were people with the self-taught skills of certified mechanics and engineers who undertook hobby projects in their basic backyard workshops. Some of their often crazy ideas worked: fitting a Volkswagen engine into a motorcycle frame; slotting a 427 Cobra Jet V8 engine into a 1955 Ford Ranch Wagon to make the ...
Staff
The Paso Puzzle
Staff
Classic Gilera Motorcycles
Radical Rondine: 1939 Gilera 500 Rondine
1939 Gilera 500 RondineEngine: 492cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline four (inclined 60 degrees forward), 52mm x 58mm bore and stroke, 7.2-7.5:1 compression ratio, 80hp @ 9,000rpmTop speed: 140mphCarburetion: Weber w/Roots superchargerTransmission: 4-speed, chain final driveElectrics: Magneto ignitionFrame: Tubular perimeter w/engine as stressed memberSuspension: Girder fork front, ...
Hamish Cooper
Classic Laverda Motorcycles
Jota’s Bigger Brother: 1978-82 Laverda 1200 Jota America/Mirage
Laverda 1200 Years produced:1978-1982 Power: 73hp @ 7,500rpm Top speed: 133mph (period test) Engine: 1,116cc (80mm x 74mm) air-cooled, DOHC inline triple Transmission: Triplex chain primary, 5-speed, chain final drive Weight (wet)/MPG: 545lb (248kg)/38mpg (avg.) Price then/now: $1,995 (1977)/$3,000-$8,000 Many bike makers produced standout models that became synonymous ...
The Motorcycle Classics Staff
Classic Morbidelli Motorcycles
1975 Morbidelli 125 Grand Prix
Country: ItalyEngine: Water-cooled, twin-cylinder 2-strokeIgnition: Battery-powered Krober ignition (CDI)Power rating: 42bhp @ 14,200rpmDisplacement: 124.77cc, rotary inletFuel system: Twin Mikuni 28mm carburetorsTransmission: 6-speedSuspension: Front Marzocchi 32mm telescopic forks, rear twin shockBrakes: Front twin Brembo discs, rear single Brembo discWeight: 165lbsTop speed: ...
The Motorcycle Classics Staff
Classic Moto Guzzi Motorcycles
Motto Guzzi Turns 100
A hundred years is a milestone birthday when it comes to any manufacturer, but especially one that builds motorcycles. Few companies manage to change with the times in such a way as to stay in business that long. Technology moves on and riders' tastes can change, but Moto Guzzi has stayed strong. To celebrate 100 years of Moto Guzzi, this issue we take a look back at an icon from ...
Staff
Classic Moto Morini Motorcycles
Café Espresso: 1978-1983 Moto Morini 500
Moto Morini 500 SportYears produced: 1978-1983Power: 7,500rpm (est.)Top speed: 104mph (period test)Engine: 479cc air-cooled OHV 72-degree V-twinTransmission: 5-speed, chain final driveWeight/mpg: 368lb (dry)/42-56mpgPrice then/now: $2,795/$2,500-$6,000Samuel Dalziel Heron is hardly a household name. Yet he helped design the first successful radial airplane engines, invented the ...
The Motorcycle Classics Staff
Classic MV Agusta Motorcycles
Terrestrial Flyer: 1954 MV Agusta 175 CSS Disco Volante
Claimed power: 15hp @ 6,700rpm Top speed: 84mph Engine: 172.3cc air-cooled SOHC single, 59.5mm x 62mm bore and stroke, 8.2:1 compression Weight (dry): 246lb (112kg) Fuel capacity/MPG: 3.7gal (14ltr)/80mpg (observed) Price then/now: $448/$10,000-$16,000 It’s more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow, goes the old saw. The Italian Motorcycle ...
Staff
Classic Parilla Motorcycles
1962 Parilla 250 Gran Sport
1962 Parilla 250 Gran SportCountry: ItalyEngine: Air-cooled single-cylinder 4-strokeIgnition: Battery and coilPower Rating: 21bhp @ 8,800rpmBore x Stroke: 68 x 68mmDisplacement: 247ccValves: Overhead, single-lobe cam with short push rods and rocker armsFuel System: Single 28mm Dell-Orto GP type carburetorTransmission: 4-speedSuspension: Front Ceriani telescopic forks, rear twin ...
The Motorcycle Classics Staff
Classic Rumi Motorcycles
125cc Motorcycle: The Rumi Sport 125
1952 Rumi Sport 125 Years produced: 1950-1952Claimed power: 10hp @ 7,400rpmTop speed: 65mph (est.)Engine type: 124.68cc air-cooled 2-stroke parallel twinTop speed: 65mph (est.)Weight (dry): 202lb (92kg)Price then: $375 (est.)Price now: $8,500-$14,000MPG: 45-65 (est.)If someone told you they were introducing a 10hp, 125cc motorcycle with a 2-stroke twin-cylinder machine like the 1952 ...
James Adam Bolton
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