MAS

175 Sport - 1930

An outstanding marque from Milan

Italy has a natural affinity for fine engineering and a myriad of tiny marques flourished during the 1920s. All offered highly technologically developed machines – mostly in the lower-capacity classes, with overhead-valves and a clear preference for unit-construction. An exception to this almost universal rule was MAS, a little company from Milan that based its name on "Motocicli Alberico Seiling," the name of its engineer-designer.

To Boldly Go

The letters MAS also inspired the company's Latin tag: "Memento audere semper" ("Always remember to be bold"). The Milanese marque flourished from 1922 to 1956. Its first model was a 125cc four-stroke with two speeds and overhead-valves. At the end of 1925, MAS eclipsed this model with an ohv 175cc, noteworthy for the rare feature of a cast-aluminum cylinder. With a three-speed gearbox, it could reach 40 mph.

A Bigger Range

The little marque moved into bigger displacements with the launch of a 250 in 1928 and a side-valve 500 vertical twin in 1929. Nevertheless, the 175 remained the marque's flagship model, and was updated in 1929 with a facelift and some modifications. In 1931, MAS adopted a two-stroke engine for its 175 (transformed into 218cc during 1934) and launched its first – and very handsome – 350cc model, with overhead-valves and a slightly inclined cylinder. This was followed in 1934 by a 500. Seiling left the company in 1938, but production remained much the same until 1947, except that swing arm rear suspension became available as an option after his departure.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 174cc (60x61.5 mm) air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke; aluminum cylinder, iron head

Valves: overhead

Fuel System: carburetor

Transmission: Burman 3-speed, chain final drive

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

Brakes: drum (front & rear)

Wheels: 3.00x19 inch wire (front & rear)

Maximum Speed: 50 mph

Surprisingly, the MAS 175 even took pan in competitions like the Paris-Pyrenées-Paris and Paris-Nice trials and the Paris-Roubaix event.