The Grifo 500 & 650
THE GRIFO 500 & 650
CARLO PERELLI
AT LAST YEAR'S MILAN MOTORCYCLE SHOW, a rather sensational machine made its debut — the Triumph 500 and 650-engined Grifo. It aroused much attention at home and abroad. Now the news comes that the Grifo frame and rolling gear will be available in the U.S. in kit form, for enthusiasts who would like to mount their own Triumph 500 or 650 engines in a sophisticated frame.
Future plans include a racing kit to include grand prix type forks, brakes, etc., and an adaptation to fit the Triumph three-cylinder engine when it becomes available.
Italy Cycles, South Gate, Calif., importers of the Ital-Jet line, will handle the Grifo, selling it as a complete package (minus engine) or in separate parts.
Designer of the Grifo is Leopoldo Tartarini, winner of several long distance races in Italy, including the now defunct Tour of Italy and the Milan-Taranto race.
One of the most versatile and brilliant designer/technicians of today's Italian school, he is founder and boss of the ItalJet factory at San Lazzaro de Savena on the outskirts of Bologna, Italy. He is also author of "Around the World by Bike."
