MV AGUSTA

175 CS – 1955

MVs first production four stroke

Apart from an outdated 250 produced from 1947-51 and the 500 Turismo four-cylinder prototype of 1950, MV Agusta began production with two-strokes. The marque produced two outstanding racing twin-cams: the 125cc single and the 500cc four. But the customers had to wait until 1953 before the overhead cam 175CS reached the dealerships. It was produced until 1959 in a number of variants, including touring, deluxe and sport.

A Real Sporting Bike

The 175CS was a real sporting bike in the true Italian tradition. It was an astounding choice on the Italian market in those days. Its oval engine/ gearbox housing was topped by a generously finned aluminum cylinder and head reminiscent of the marque's two-stroke units in appearance. Even the housing of the gear-train driving the single overhead camshaft was camouflaged by fins. The frame followed a characteristic design introduced by MV in 1949 with an interrupted double cradle, plus swinging fork rear suspension which was still advanced in 1955, when plunger rear springing was common.

From Road to Track

The overhead cam MV 175 also boosted the marque's image by forming a worthy basis for national race series. Further models included the CSS Supersport, with an Earles front fork and a more heavily-finned engine and the "Squalo" ("Shark") with the same engine in a track-derived frame. It was with a similar machine that Mike Hailwood made his debut in 1957.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 172cc (59.5x62mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 11 hp @ 6700 rpm

Valves: overhead camshaft driven by geartrain

Fuel System: 22mm carburetor

Transmission: 4-speed, chain final drive

Suspension: telescopic forks (front); swinging fork (rear)

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: 2.75x19 inch wire (front & rear)

Weight: 242 lb

Maximum Speed: 71 mph

The MV 175 was progressively developed during its lifetime; this 1955 model has one or two anachronistic details, like a 1958-pattern tailpipe.