At the end of the Great War the brothers Edoardo and Filippo Ranzani opened a workshop in Via Vanvitelli in Milan only for the construction of motorcycles using a German 166cc Heros four-stroke engine with a two-speed gearbox.
During this first phase of planning and testing they were assisted by two other brothers, Ettore and Mario.
In December 1918, the machine was marketed, production commenced and within a few years a steady market was established.
With the same Heros engine different models are produced with the names of Viaggio, Sport and Corsa, the latter with a tuned engine.
In 1926 a Lusso model with three-speed gearbox was added to the range displayed on the Ranzani stand at the Milan Fair. At the salon the following year new models were presented fitted with Norman 170cc four-stroke engines from Britain.
The models produced were intentionally less than 175 cc to benefit from the regulations of that time which permitted riding without a license.
Edoardo Ranzani participated with another rider in a competition organized by the Concorso Internazionale di Consumo magazine, and they are ranked second and sixth along with a litre of petrol 97 and 75 km respectively. In 1927 the presence at the Consumer Competition is done by a combi, always with engine Heros four-stroke, 240 kg and Ranzani won the class win with a mileage of 52 km per litre of petrol.
These statements are wide coverage on advertising pages of magazines. In the late twenties and early thirties in Italy it showed growth, for some strange and inexplicable ways, displacement motorcycle engines and also Ranzani build their flagship TT model employing a 350cc Blackburne engine which was exhibited at the 1928 Salone from Milan.
Production figures are sketchy. In 1929, Filippo left the company to his brother Edoardo, who continueds the production of 175 machines using from this time only OHV and SV JAP engines. Some sources, unconfirmed, also speak of an engine built by Ranzani.
Sales went well and a store was opened in Corso Indipendenza where, in addition to Ranzani, BSA, Norman, Sunbeam and Triumph motorcycles were sold. In 1938 Edoardo Ranzani lost his life in a motorcycle accident, and motorcycle production immediatedly ceased.
The company continued motorcycle repairs and manufacture of spare parts until 1940. Among those who competed on Ranzani machines are Mario and Camillo Cavedini Saini. Mezionare from the top spot of a motorcycle Ranzani at the 1931 Winter Rose.
Scuza Itanglish
Source: Moto di Lombardia
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