Moto Guzzi

500 - 2 VT – 1927

The single-cylinder bike that conquered Italy

The Moto Guzzi 500 cc 2 VT is an Italian made competition motorcycle built in 1927. It has four stroke horizontal, single cylinder 499 cc engine; with a top speed of 75 mph (120.7 km/h).

"In 1920, Carlo Guzzi astounded the world by unveiling his first motorcycle, a horizontal single-cylinder 500 cc with a single overhead camshaft and four- valve head with twin spark plugs. It was, however, still a prototype, and when it came to series production the following year, costs demanded a simplified design. But that first production Moto Guzzi was still a success.

First Valve-in-Head

The 1923 Moto Guzzi 2 VT ("valvole in testa" or "valve in head") was the company's first racer with twin overhead valves. After 1928, it gained a swinging-fork rear suspension and remained in production until 1934.

Sure of Success

In 1924, however - now certain of commercial success - Carlo Guzzi went back to his original concept and launched the C4V, with an overhead camshaft actuating quadruple valves. For a long time it was the world's fastest single- cylinder bike and won many competitions. Originally developing 22 hp at 5500 rpm, with a top speed of 93 mph, the last C 4Vs built in 1933 had a power output of 32 hp. A total of 486 were produced. Sticking to the original concept, Moto Guzzi continued to make horizontal singles until 1976, in a long line that stretched from racing bikes to utility models. Guzzi also built military models for the Italian Army, police bikes for the Carabinieri, and nearly indestructible three-wheeled light commercial bikes with the same powertrain.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 499cc (88x82mm) four-stroke horizontal single-cylinder

Power output: 17 hp @ 4200 rpm

Fuel system:- single Amac carburetor

Valve gear: overhead pushrod

Transmission: 3-speed gearbox in unit with engine, chain final drive

Suspension: (front) girder forks; (rear) rigid

Brakes: drum

Wheels: 19 in wire

Weight: 287 lb

Maximum speed: 75 mph

Italy was a two-wheelersÂ’ paradise in 1927 That year, Moto Guzzi production totaled 79,710 vehicles, 52,673 of which were motorcycles.