First Versions: Motorcycles

Moto Guzzi: 1st model ever

Moto Guzzi logo 1921

Prototype name: "G.P. 500"

First model name: "Normale"

Category: Motorcycles

Subcategory: Standard

Prototype designers: Carlo Guzzi and his brother Giuseppe

First model developers: Carlo Guzzi with his brother Giuseppe, and Giorgio Parodi with his cousin Angelo

Producer: Moto Guzzi (founded on March 15, 1921 as "Società Anonima Moto Guzzi" in Genoa, Italy, by Emanuele Vittorio Parodi, his son Giorgio Parodi, and Carlo Guzzi)

Prototype made in: 1919/20

Production start: 1921 - Mandello Tonzanico (now Mandello del Lario), Lecco, Italy

Discontinued: 1924

First price: 8,500 ITL

Prototype features: Horizontal four-strokes 500 cc. single-cyclinder engine characterized the first Moto Guzzi motorcycles, since the 1919/20 "G.P." ("Guzzi-Parodi") prototype. Seeking to eliminate hand-pumped lubrication systems and exposed primary drive chains, Guzzi cast the engine in aluminium as a unit with the three-speed gearbox. Its helical-gear primary drive and considerably oversquare engine dimensions (88 x 82 mm. bore and stroke) deviated from what was normal for the period. Laying the engine horizontal in the frame aided engine cooling, which also allowed for a low-slung chassis, while the geared primary drive saw the engine rotate in the reverse direction, another unused feature at the time. To smooth out vibration and enable a more compact crankcase unit, a large (280 mm.) flywheel was mounted externally. The lubrication system was exceptionally advanced, with an oil pump driven from the camshaft; this supplied oil to an external tank that was mounted in the air stream. The cyclinder head design employed aeronautical engineering techniques, with four parallel overhead valves operated by an overhead camshaft and driven by a shaft and bevel gears. Compression was a modest 3.5 : 1 and, with 12 horsepower, the prototype was capable of 62 miles per hour. The chassis had a tubular frame with twin front downtubes, an unsprung rear bolted triangle, and a girder fork and dual springs at the front.

First model features: Name: Moto Guzzi "Normale". Engine Type: four-stroke horizontal single. Bore/stroke: 88 x 82 mm. Displacement: 498.4 cc. Power: 8 HP at 3,200 RPM to 8.5 HP at 3,400 RPM. Compression ratio 4.0 : 1. Valves: Side inlet, overhead exhaust. Carburetion system: Amac 15 PSY 1 in. Gears: Hand-change 3-speed. Ignition: Bosch ZE 1 shielded magneto. Frame: Tubular duplex cradle. Front suspension: Girder fork. Rear suspension: Rigid. Wheels: 26 x 2¼. Tires: 26 x 3.00. Brakes: Expansion rear wheel. Wheelbase: 1,380 mm. Dry weight: 130 Kg. Top speed: 85 Km/h. Production: 2,065.

Interesting facts: The "Moto Guzzi Società Anonima" was established in Genoa, Italy, on March 15, 1921, with its headquarters in Mandello Tonzanico (now Mandello del Lario), Lecco. The three founders were: shipowner Emanuele Vittorio Parodi, his son Giorgio, and Carlo Guzzi, a former comrade in the Italian airforce. The emblem, a spread-winged eagle, was chosen in memory of their friend Giovanni Ravelli, a pilot who died on August 11, 1919 during a test flight. Carlo Guzzi's first horizontal four-strokes 500 cc. single-cyclinder engine estabilished a unique formula that immediately characterized Moto Guzzi motorcycles. The prototype, developed by Carlo and his older brother Giuseppe in 1919/20, was called the "G.P.", for "Guzzi-Parodi". The G.P. soon evolved into the production "Normale", which was announced in the December 1920 issue of "Motociclismo" magazine. The Normale appeared early the following year. While the G.P. had been a pure expression of Carlo Guzzi's engineering, economic necessity saw the Normale incorporating several updates, including the replacement of the exotic four-valve cylinder head and bevel-gear-driven overhead camshaft. With the appearance of the Normale, the company was estabilished, with the senior Parodi served as president. In addition to Carlo Guzzi and Giorgio Parodi, two other engineers were also involved: Carlo's Brother Giuseppe and Giorgio's cousin Angelo. While the total production of 1921 was a modest seventeen motorcycles, it was the beginning for one of the greatest italian motorcycles marque, and also one of the longest lived.

Property: Moto Guzzi S.p.A. - Piaggio & C. S.p.A.

Producer website: https://www.motoguzzi.com

Moto Guzzi G.P. 500 prototype review 1920

Moto Guzzi G.P. 500 prototype, announcement ("Motociclismo" magazine, Dec. 15, 1920)

Moto Guzzi G.P. 500 prototype - 1919-1920 - right

Moto Guzzi G.P. 500 prototype - 1919-1920 - left

Moto Guzzi G.P. 500 prototype (1919/20)

Moto Guzzi Normale, the first Moto Guzzi motorcycle (1921)

Moto Guzzi Normale engine (1921 - replica)

Moto Guzzi advertising 1923 by Giorgio Muggiani

Moto Guzzi advertising poster (1923, art by Giorgio Muggiani)

Moto Guzzi founders. Left: Emanuele Vittorio Parodi (Genoa, ? - April 13, 1945), entrepreneur. Center: his son Giorgio Parodi (Venice, 1897 - Genoa, August 18, 1955), aviator. Right: Carlo Guzzi (Milan, November 4, 1889 - Davos, November 3, 1964), designer.

Moto Guzzi celebrate their 100th anniversary (1921-2021)

BMW (motorcycles): 1st model ever

BMW logo 1917

Name: "BMW R32"

Category: Motorcycles

Subcategory: Standard

Designer: Max Friz

Producer: BMW - Bayerische Motoren Werke (founded on March 7, 1916 in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, by Franz Josef Popp, Karl Rapp, and Camillo Castiglioni)

Production start: 1923 - Munich, Bavaria, Germany (debut on September 28, 1923 at the Berlin Exhibition)

Discontinued: 1926

First price: 2,200 Reichsmark

Features: BMW R32, the first BMW motorcycle, was produced using the two-cylinder four-stroke boxer engine previously supplied to other manufacturers. This was modified for transverse configuration and fitted with a directly blocked three-speed transmission. Instead of a chain drive, which is susceptible to wear-and-tear, the force of the drive was transferred to the grease-filled bevel gear casing on the rear wheel by means of a cardan shaft. The longitudinally ribbed cylinders were cast in a single piece together with the cylinder heads and feature vertical valves. Engine Type: four-stroke two-cylinder flat twin (boxer). Bore/stroke: 68 x 68 mm. Cubic capacity: 494 cm3 / 30 in.3. Maximum power: 8.5 HP at 3,200 RPMs. Compression ratio 5.0 : 1. Valves per cylinder: 2 SV. Carburetion system: 1 carburettor Type BMW Spezial 22mm. Engine lubrication: forced-feed lubrication. Oil pump: gear pump. Clutch: single discs, dry. Number of gears: 3. Shifting: manual. Gear ratios: 2.27 / 1.50 / 1.08. Rear wheel ratio: 4.41 : 1. Bevel/crown wheel: 17 / 75 teeth. Generator: magneto generator (on request). Ignition: Bosch magneto ignition. Spark plugs: Bosch W 145. Type of frame: twin-loop, tubular. Front suspension: twin cantilever spring. Rear suspension rigid (none). Wheel rims: 26 x 2.5. Tires front: 26 x 3. Tires rear: 26 x 3. Brakes front: drum brake Ø 150 mm (1924 and on). Brakes rear: block brake. Length x width x height: 82.7 x 31.5 x 37.4 inches (2100 x 800 x 950 mm). Wheel base: 54.3 inches (1380 mm). Tank capacity: 3.7 gals. (14 liters). Unladen weight, full tank: 269 lbs. / 122 kg. Fuel consumption: 78 MPG (± 3 liters / 100 km). Oil consumption: ± 6.2 quarts / 1000 miles (± 2.5 liters / 1000 km). Top speed: ± 60 MPH (± 96 km/h).

Max Friz
Urach, Oct. 1, 1883
- Tegernsee, June 9, 1966,
the German engineer
who developed the
BMW R32 motorcycle

Interesting facts: BMW is set up in Munich during World War One as the successor to Rapp Motoren-Werke, an aircraft engine plant founded in 1913. Its first product is the IIIa aircraft engine, containing legendary engine designer Max Friz's altitude carburettor. On July 21, 1917, Rapp-Motorenwerke is renamed Bayerische Motoren Werke GmbH. The outlook for the fledgling company brightens up with the development of the two-cylinder M2 B 15 engine - which is also supplied to several motorcycle manufacturers. In consideration of the two cylinders arranged opposite to one another, as well as the pistons operating in the opposite direction, these power units are referred to as "Boxers". This engine found its main use in Nuremberg-based Victoria motorcycles, helping them to outstanding success in 1921. The neighbouring aircraft manufacturer, Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke, also fitted the BMW engine into their Helios model, together with a transmission likewise supplied by BMW. In 1922 it sells its engine production and the name BMW to Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (Bavarian Aircraft Works) and moves into their factory. The aircraft-maker's founding date, 7 March 1916, thus becomes the new founding date of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. General Director of BMW Franz Josef Popp and Design Director Max Friz agreed to a near-term solution of redesigning the Helios to make it more saleable and a long-term solution of an all new motorcycle design. This new design was designated the BMW R32 and began production in 1923, becoming the first motorcycle to be badged as a BMW, and the foundation for all future boxer-powered BMW motorcycles.

Property: BMW Bayerische Motoren Werke AG - BMW Motorrad

Producer website: http://www.bmw-motorrad.com

BMW R32 engine (1923). The first engine product by BMW was the M2 B15, and engineer Max Friz used this as a basis for the R32.

BMW R32, drawings were completed in only four months (1923)

BMW R32 factory in Munich, Bavaria, Germany (1923)

BMW R32, the first BMW motorcycle (1923)

BMW R32 and its designer Max Friz in a commemorative stamp (2008)

BMW Motorrad celebrates 90 years (1923-2013). Over 40,000 participants at the 13th BMW Motorrad Days (July 5 to 7, 2013), Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Munich.

BMW Motorrad 100th Anniversary 1923-2023

BMW Motorrad celebrates 100 years (1923-2023) with a special exhibition at the BMW Museum in Munich, Germany

Ducati: 1st model ever

Ducati logo 1927
Società Scientifica
Radio Brevetti Ducati

Name: "Ducati Cucciolo"

Category: Motorcycles

Subcategory: Motor-bicycles

Inventor: Aldo Farinelli

Developers: Aldo Farinelli and Aldo Leoni

Producers:
--- Società Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati, founded in Bologna on July 4, 1926 by Antonio Cavalieri Ducati and his three sons, Adriano, Bruno, and Marcello.
--- SIATA - Società Italiana per Applicazioni Tecniche Auto-Aviatorie, founded in Turin in 1926 by Giorgio Ambrosini.

Production start: March 1946 - Turin, Piedmont, Italy (debut in September at the Milan Fair)

Discontinued: 1958

Features: Single cylinder 4 stroke engine. Bore and Stroke 39 mm x 40 mm. Total displacement 48 cc. Power 1.5 HP at 5,500 RPM. Lubrication oil sump splash. Tyming system valves driven by linkage and rocker arm. Air cooling system. Weber carburetor with 9 mm choke. Magneto flywheel ignition. Transmission two-speed gearbox. Primary drive by gear.

Interesting facts: The Ducati "Cucciolo" (Italian for "puppy", in reference to the distinctive exhaust sound) was a 4-stroke clip-on engine for motorized bicycles conceived during and shortly after World War II by a Turin lawyer, Aldo Farinelli, and developed with a self-taught engineer, Aldo Leoni. Ducati Cucciolo was presented at the Turin Fair in 1945 and the title of the Motociclismo magazine on July 26, 1945 read "A puppy was born in Turin". Just a few months after the Cucciolo went in production, it became clear that SIATA couldn't handle the great demand for the Cucciolo. This is where Ducati came into play. Despite the fact that Ducati was previously only well known for its advanced radio electronic and mechanical products, in 1946 it decided to widen the scope of production by constructing the Cucciolo. In March of 1946, Ducati released the first 10 "Type 1" Cucciolo engines. The Cucciolo was released to the public at the Milan Fair in September 1946. In the same year Ducati came up with its first original design, the T2. It was heavily influenced by the T1 design, but made improvements in the engine's efficiency, robustness, and, above all, logic of construction. In 1948, Ducati Cucciolo was triumphant at the first Grand Prix of the City of Milan, which was fought out on the streets of the Milan Fairgrounds rebuilt from the devastation of the war. Out of the 60 competitors, Glauco Zitelli took first place on a series-produced Cucciolo 48 cc. In the same year, the Cucciolo garnered the World. Under the guidance of Giovanni Florio, the first engine designed entirely at Ducati, the T3, went into production. A natural derivation of the first Cucciolo, the T3 had a three-speed gear system, and a grease lubricated valve gear enclosed in a case. In 1949, a special tubular frame with rear suspension was developed for the T3 by Caproni of Rovereto, a famous wartime producer of airplanes. The complete Cucciolo T3 came out in the summer of 1949. In July of the same year Ducati started to manufacture the first real complete motorcycle: the Ducati 60.

Slogan: Cucciolo Ducati «Vi porterà ovunque» - "Will take you anywhere"

Property: Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A

Producer website: http://www.ducati.com

Ducati Cucciolo, the first motor for bicycles produced under the Ducati brand (1946)

Ducati Cucciolo applied on the frame of a normal bicycle

Ducati Cucciolo applied on a Nettunia frame

Ducati Cucciolo engine at the Ducati Museum

Ducati Cucciolo bicycle at the Ducati Museum

Ducati Cucciolo on display at the Ducati Museum in Borgo Panigale, Bologna

Ducati Cucciolo advertising: "Vi porterà ovunque" (Will take you anywhere)

Ducati Cucciolo in a 1948 song: "Ti porterò sul Cucciolo" (I'll Take You On My Cucciolo), a pleasant tune that soon became famous throughout Italy, by Dino Olivieri and Nino Rastelli.

Ducati 60, the first complete motorcycle produced by Ducati (1949). It used the 60 cc pullrod engine of the Cucciolo T3 moped, and a frame supplied by Caproni.

Ducati 60 advertising

Ducati company founders: Antonio Cavalieri Ducati (Comacchio, Apr. 2, 1853 - June 27, 1927) and his three sons Adriano, Bruno and Marcello.

Ducati Cucciolo developers: Aldo Farinelli, lawyer and technical journalist, and Aldo Leoni, self-taught engineer.

Ducati, an advanced model (Ducati Diavel 1260, 2021)

Kawasaki (motorcycles): 1st model ever

Kawasaki logo 1961

Name: "Kawasaki B8"

Category: Motorcycles

Subcategory: Standard street

Producer: Kawasaki-Meguro

Production start: 1962 - Japan

First price: 390 USD (1965 dealer cost)

Shōzō Kawasaki
Kagoshima, Dec. 2, 1837 -
Japan, Dec. 2, 1912,
the industrialist who founded
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Features: Kawasaki B8 has the following specifications. Maximum speed: 62 mph. Fuel consumption: 168mile / USgal. Climbing Ability: 26 degreès. Engine: Single Cylinder, 2-stroke Air Cooled. Displacement: 123.5cc. Maximum Horsepower: 11hp / 6000rpm. Starting: Electric & Kick. Ignition System: Battery Coil Ignition. Transmission: Costant Mesh, Rotary Shift. Dry Weight: 256lb.

Interesting facts: Kawasaki B8, based on the Meihatsu B7, which used Kawasaki engines, was the first motorcycle to be completely manufactured by Kawasaki. Kawasaki Heavy Industries was founded by Shōzō Kawasaki on October 15, 1896; Kawasaki Aircraft Company division produced its first complete motorcycle - the B8 125cc two-stroke - in 1962, during the merger with Meguro Manufacturing Co. Ltd. In 1963 Kawasaki B8 took 1st to 6th places in 125cc class motocross race at Aonogahara, Japan.

Property: Kawasaki Heavy Industries Motorcycle & Engine

Producer website: http://www.kawasaki.com