38th Milan Motorcycle Show
38th Milan Motorcycle Show
FIFTIES, FIFTIES, FIFTIES: the Italian industry is going even deeper into this field, as proved by the 38th Milan Show. Since it was the only "big" automobile show this year it attracted no less than 567 exhibitors from ten different countries, including the United States and Japan, and a huge crowd of visitors.
As in many countries, in Italy 50cc machines are favored by the licensing laws so interest in this category is high and the "outside" market is also growing. Almost every Italian manufacturer now has a fifty of some kind in production and the trends plest models with category. From the simplest models with single gears and automatic (usually centrifugal) clutches, to the more elaborate machines with four-speed gear boxes and 4bhp engines that will drive at speeds of 50 mph and even up to 56 mph.
Italian 50cc machines are forbidden by law to exceed a rated 1.5 bhp and top speed must be limited to 25 mph, so the "sporting" models are confined to export only, although they can be obtained in Italy if the power requirement is met. The biggest demand in fifties is for the classic single two-stroke design with three speeds in touring and sport models. Newest entries in this field are Aermacchi, Moto Guzzi, M. V. and other such famous names.
A new 50cc trend in Italy is for scrambles/trials bikes which can also be used on the roads. Most are fitted with two-stroke, fan-cooled engines, and three and fourspeed gear boxes. Also 50cc motor scooters in practical, inexpensive forms are appearing, such as the new Vespa and Ducati "Brio." Notable are the new Gitan "Joligri" with either manually controlled three-speed gear box or two-speed automatic, and the new Italemmezeta with a fiberglass seat.
In both the moped and small scooter field many factories are using engines produced by the biç F. B. Minarelli, Franco Morini, or B.C.M. concerns of Bologna. This explains why so many makes were represented in the show; no less than 25 to 30! To get nearer the truth, let's say that for the most part, these moped and little scooter makers are just assembly plants which buy not only engines, but also most of the other parts, and simply put them together and paste their name on the tank.
In the over 50cc scooter field things are going strong. Vespa has just introduced the 90cc version of the 50cc model, already a less expensive model than their 125cc, is handier and weighs quite a bit less so should be a huge success. BenelliMotobi presented the 125 medium size wheel scooter, while Innocenti has restvled their 175 TV model using the same side panels introduced on the LI 150 Special.
In the motorcycle field the trend towards 98 to 125cc, four-stroke, touring machines continues in their classic and sturdy touring and sporting trim. On the other hand, the once popular 175's seem to have lost favor to 200 to 250cc models.
The reason is simply that 200/250cc models cost about the same to make as the 175cc while offering better performance. This is particularly true in the sports models fitted with five-speed gear boxes in unit with the engine such as the new Ducatis and Aermacchis.
An exception to this rule comes from the always original M.V. factory in the form of their new 160cc (46.5mm X 49mm bore/stroke), four-stroke, ohv, four-speed gear box, twin carburetor, coil ignition, 12 bhp, machine with a top speed around 80 mph! The frame is tubular and the wheels mount 18" tires. It looks nice in our opinion, but technically speaking, is not up to present standards. Perhaps the factory will do a bit more developing before delivering any machines.
More advanced is the new Laverda Sport 200cc twin, with light alloy cylinders (iron liners), four-stroke, ohv. 180° crankpins (ala Honda), 52mm X 47mm bore/stroke, 16bhp @ 8,500 rpm, twin 18mm Dellorto carburetors, rubber mounted tubular frame double supported crankshaft, 18" tires and a top speed said to be 87 mph.
