Operator's handbook - GU29900061 - Moto Guzzi

Moto Guzzi

<br>

The start

Moto Guzzi is named after the founder Carlo Guzzi. Moto Guzzi was founded in 1921 in Mandello Del Lario in Italy. Carlo Guzzi has always been very interested in the vehicle industry and engineering. From this interest and the problems of the motorcycles of the time, the idea to build his own motorcycle. The purpose was to combine good technical solutions in this motorcycle.

The motorcycle that Guzzi and Ripamonti (a blacksmith) came up with was a 500cc single-cylinder, with some special features.

• The machine was fairly light-weight.
• In the cylinder head were four valves.
• The crankshaft turned opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheels, so the lubrication system splashed the oil against the top of the cylinder instead of downwards. Gravity took that way to lubricate the entire cylinder.
• The engine lying around the motorcycle layer made for the motorcycle to be low, which improved road holding and comfort.

<br>

The first prototype

In 1920 the first prototype was built, it was the brand the letters "GP". The GP convinced Emanuele Vittorio Parodi, which invested sufficiently to allow the start of production.

In 1921 production of "Normale" began. In this first year they only sold 17 motorcycles. The motorcycles of Moto Guzzi were all built for functionality in these early years. Soon it was participating in races, although Carlo Guzzi detested motorsport. The racing machines, however, helped the brand in the development of the touring bikes. Initially raced converted "Normale" models, but soon appeared special 500cc race bikes, such as the C2V racer and Quattro Valvole racers.

<br>

Nowadays

Around the end of the twentieth century there were many rumors about an acquisition of Moto Guzzi by KTM and Ducati, but in April 2000 the company was taken over by Aprilia. In December 2004 Piaggio took over Aprilia with Moto Guzzi. This resulted in a stable situation, resulting in still producing the motorcycles which were mainly based on the Moto Guzzi Griso in 2012. The most important motorcycle in 2012 was the 1200cc eight-valve engine. <br>

Moto Guzzi, Una Storia Italiana