The Paso Puzzle

The 1988 Ducati 750 Paso I picked up last year is close to being road worthy, and getting it there has provided an interesting education about one of the more controversial models in Ducati’s history. Penned by Massimo Tamburini, the plastic wrapped Paso was a radical styling departure for Ducati — and a marketplace flop. Excepting the failed 350cc and 500cc parallel twins of ...

Staff | Aug 13, 2021

1974 Ducati 750 Super Sport

Greg Williams | Apr 1, 2021

White Elephant

Richard Backus | Oct 16, 2020

Little Speed Fiend: 1967 Ducati 50 SL/1

Hamish Cooper | Dec 10, 2019

Humble Beginnings: Ducati 60

Dave Ryan. Dedicated To John C. Ryan | Nov 12, 2019

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 | Dec 18, 2017

1947 Gilera Saturno Turismo

The Motorcycle Classics Staff | Sep 30, 2015

You Could Get Anything at Sears!

Jack Allen | Aug 3, 2015

Gilera Saturno 500 Competizione

Alan Cathcart | Feb 8, 2013

1949 Gilera Saturno Sport

James Adam Bolton | Feb 18, 2011

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 | Nov 12, 2019

Breganze’s Best: 1988 Laverda SFC1000

Robert Smith | Feb 12, 2015

1949 75cc Laverda Tourismo Prototype

Hamish Cooper | Jun 12, 2014

That Bloody Laverda 500

Alan Cathcart | Apr 10, 2014

Laverda Montjuic

Robert Smith | Feb 13, 2014

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 | Aug 19, 2015

1997 Morbidelli V8

The Motorcycle Classics Staff | Jan 15, 2014

Exotic Motorcycles: The Morbidelli V8

Alan Cathcart | Aug 3, 2009

Fast but Fragile: 1985-1987 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario

Power: 60hp @ 7,800rpm (claimed)  Top speed: 119mph (period test)  Engine: 650cc 8-valve air-cooled OHV L-twin  Transmission: 5-speed, shaft final drive  Weight: 433lb (wet)  Fuel Capacity/MPG: 4.7gal/39mpg (est.)  Price then/now: n/a/$2,000-$5,000 By the mid-1970s, new  owner Alejandro de Tomaso had consolidated Moto Guzzi’s finances and market ...

The Motorcycle Classics Staff | Feb 3, 2021

1974 Moto Guzzi 850 Eldorado

Robert Smith | Dec 1, 2020

Café Veloce: 1978-1988 Moto Guzzi SP1000

Motorcycle Classic Staff | Dec 1, 2020

From Eritrea to Tennessee: 1934 and 1939 Moto Guzzi GTS 500

Bud Mcintire | Photos Bostelman Photography | Feb 13, 2020

Al Zinn’s 1973 Moto Guzzi Eldorado

Letter Al Zinn | Dec 10, 2019

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 | Dec 20, 2017

Moto Morini 3-1/2 Sport

Margie Siegel | Feb 14, 2011

Found on eBay: 1979 Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport

Landon Hall | Jun 30, 2010

The Moto Morini 3 1/2 Sport

Richard Backus | Jul 11, 2007

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 | Aug 16, 2021

Timely Tribute: Magni MV Agusta 750S Tributo Test

Alan Cathcart. Photos Kel Edge. | Apr 3, 2019

A Glorious Noise: 1975 MV Agusta 750S America

Greg Williams | Apr 10, 2018

The Modern Four: 1967 MV Agusta 600

Adil Jal Darukhanawala | Dec 19, 2017

Twin Dreams: 1955 MV Agusta 300B Bicilindrica Prototype

Hamish Cooper | Aug 8, 2017

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 | Feb 27, 2013

1957 Parilla 175 Sport and 1962 Parilla 250 GS

Robert Smith | Jun 30, 2011

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 | Oct 8, 2009