Photo ou archives : D. Ganneau
5912
GD
175cc 70 AL2 - 1931
Too little, too late...
GD had learned, with its CM two-stroke, the costly lesson that the new and dynamic 175 category was to be regarded as the territory of the four-strokes produced by Benelli, Bianchi, Mas, Miller, MM – and plenty of others. After the failure of the CM, the slate had to be wiped clean with a new model precisely to the modern taste.
A Tricky Task
The job seemed a tricky one since the firm 's founders had split up, but an overhead-valve 175 designed by Ubaldo Fangarezzi was nevertheless unveiled in 1929 as the "70 A". Its engine was based on the Zürcher. A sportier, more luxurious AS2 version was also available, and while the overhead-cam 70 B arrived in 1930; it proved a little too late.
Uncertain career
Correctly envisioned, but without any outstanding features and launched without any serious competition backup – in a time of uncertainty for the marque – the 175 was prematurely killed off when GD decided to halt motorcycle production in 1931. When production was resumed in 1935 at the instigation of Fangarezzi, it initially concentrated on utility tricycles, and it was on a 250 that the 175 design reappeared during 1938. It had undergone some fundamental modifications, like a wet sump and double-cradle frame. Unfortunately, WWII caused GD to be relegated to the role of subcontractor to the arms manufacturer Beretta, and motorcycle production had to be abandoned. After the war, GD devoted itself to manufacturing automats, slot machines, mixers and regulators for the food and chemical industries.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 172cc (58.5x64 mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke; pressure lubrication; magneto ignition
Valves: overhead
Fuel System: carburetor
Transmission: 3-speed, chain final drive
Suspension: girder forks (front); rigid (rear)
Brakes: drum (front & rear)
Wheels: 25x3.00 inch (front & rear)
Weight: 295 lb
Maximum Speed: 53 mph
With its twin exhausts and jazzy tank decoration, this 1931 AL2 is typical of the sporty deluxe versions of the 175 GD range, which failed to meet sales expectations.