Guzzi Gets Wet

GUZZI GETS WET

MOTO GUZZI's venerable air-cooled, pushrod V-Twin has gotten a long-awaited upgrade. Not to liquid-cooling, dohc or four valves per cylinder, as has been rumored, but to quieter, no-maintenance hydraulic valve lifters.

Emulating that other maker of venerable air-cooled, pushrod V-Twins, Harley-Davidson, Guzzi has re-engineered its now 40-year-old engine so that oil pressure now automatically sets valve lash, eliminating the manual screw-type adjusters employed previously. No minor upgrade, virtually every casting is new, as are the pushrods, rocker arms, valves and valve springs. In conjunction with shaft drive, this means maintenance now consists solely of periodic oil and filter changes.

But that’s not all: Highercompression pistons (9.8:1, up from 9.5:1) and a crossover tube between the two exhaust headers are said to boost midrange power. Also, cooling oil-jets that spray the undersides of the pistons and new forged connecting rods are intended to increase engine life.

Known as the P.I. (for punterie idrauliche, Italian for “hydraulic lifters”), the new engine will initially be offered in 2003 California cruiser models. Though MSRPs have not yet been set, a Moto Guzzi North American spokesman said he does not expect much of an increase over 2002 prices.

Brian Catterson