Normale 1921-1924 (see below)
Sport 1923-1928
C2V 500 OHV 1923-1924 (see below)
TT250 OHC 250 1926 (see below)
GT & GT Militare 1928-1930
GT 2VT 499cc 1927 - 1934 (*NL)
4V SS 1928-1933
Moto Guzzi "Normale" 1921-1924
Specifications
The Normale was the first Guzzi to have entered series production. Some of the basic features incorporated in this engine will later be found in most of the models developed by the firm. These include horizontal cylinder, detachable cylinder head with hairpin valve springs, opposed valves (side inlet, overhead exhaust), oil delivery and recovery pump, external flywheel and reverse engine rotation.
The frame was of typical triangulated Guzzi design with low seat, and this feature was retained when saddle tanks were introduced.
Moto Guzzi C2V 500 OHV 1924
This machine had a horizontal unit construction engine with three-speed gearbox and an external flywheel. The C2V (corsa due valvole) replaced the "Sport" in 1923 and almost immediately gained laurels, taking in its first year the Circuito del Lario, and the Giro d'Italia with Guido Mentasti aboard.
Moto Guzzi C4V 500cc 1924
Overhead Cam 4 Valve Bronze Head
First built in 1924 the "Quattro Valvole" was the first Grand Prix machine produced by Guzzi and it marked a return to the original designers engine layout. It was one of the fastest "half litre" bikes in the world, winning many major honours including the first European championship. Two of these machines were imported into Australia in the 1920s by Boro & Franki, Fiat agents in Newcastle, 130 miles north of Sydney.
Discussed here: Moto Guzzi Speedway Machines
While the first Guzzi made (the "G.P") was a 4 valve design, the first production and racing bikes (the Normale & C2V) used 2 valve heads. The C4V of 1924 returned to a 4 valve motor and was immediately competitive, winning numerous Italian events before finishing 1st, 2nd and 4th in the very first Championship of Europe race held at Monza in September. Two weeks later a C4V won the German GP at Avus. A 3 speed hand change gearbox was fitted and the frame was more compact than that of the C2V. 25hp at 4,500rpm. Wet weight 130kg. Top speed approximately 140kph.
Source: Phil Aynsley
Moto Guzzi TT250 1926
Bevel-drive OHC 2 valve 246.8cc
Designed by Carlo Guzzi to compete in the Isle of Man TT, the OHC 250 was tested by Motociclismo in May of that year.
Based on the C4V, the engine was modified with a square bore/stroke ratio (68x68mm) and a much narrower valve angle. This resulted in a considerable power increase, giving it a higher hp per litre than any other motorcycle ever produced.
At the TT, Pietro Ghersi took the TT250 to second place behind the Cotton of Paddy Johnston, setting the fastest lap in the process. Ghersi was disqualified for a minor infringement of the rules when he changed the sparkplug and fitted the wrong brand.
1926 saw Moto Guzzi take forty-two competition wins.
N.B. NL source: Moto Guzzi Database
