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Moto Guzzi 500 Four-valve

The first Moto Guzzi Grand Prix motorcycle was a single-cylinder four-stroke 500. The motorcycle was used chiefly in endurance racing and hill climbing, and its most important victory was in the 1921 Targa Florio.

After this successful introduction into the world of special racing vehicles, Moto Guzzi of Mandello del Lario decided not only to continue with it but also to create something really new. And thus the new firm soon became one of the leading companies both in racing and in commercial vehicles.
The designers and technicians in Moto Guzzi's racing department got together to prepare a new 500-cc. two-wheeler with four-valve overhead single-shaft distribution.

The concept of the Guzzi four-valve was extremely advanced technically, although this was not the first vehicle so designed. The engine generated 22 h.p. at 5,500 r.p.m., which guaranteed speeds up to 95 m.p.h.
After long preparation the Guzzi four-valve was put on the track. The first race it entered was the Lario Circuit of 1924, which was run near Lake Como not far from the factory. The new motorcycle won and made an important name for itself.

The next race for the Guzzi was a more important and more challenging one, the Monza Grand Prix, a European championship motorcycle race. Although the Guzzi four-valve shone in preliminary events, it was not one of the favorites in the main race. The
Moto Guzzi 500 Four-valve with rear brakes

British vehicles, which had dominated speed racing ever since they first appeared, had a decided edge. The British motorcycles were vertical single-cylinders with a long stroke.
The Moto Guzzi company made careful preparations for the race. A great deal of work was done on the chassis so that it could stand up to the stress of the difficult terrain.

The engine had already proved to be sturdy enough and strong enough. All that was required was careful tuning.
It was at this European championship race that the Moto Guzzi gave British motorcycles their first resounding defeat. Guido Mentasti came in first and his teammate Er-minio Visioli came in right behind him. The four-valve motorcycle had definitely proved itself worthy.
Gradually the Moto Guzzi was improved in minor details, and it went on to chalk up other important victories. It also set world records, especially over long distances, and won the classic endurance races. Carlo Fumagalli's win at the Milan-Naples in 1932 (with a speed of about 58 m.p.h.) was its sw

Motorcycle: Moto Guzzi 500 Four-valve Manufacturer: Moto Guzzi, Mandello del Lario
Type: Racing, world record, endurance
racing Year: 1924
Engine: Guzzi single-cylinder, horizontal, four-stroke with overhead single-shaft distribution operated by bevel gear shaft. Four valves. Displacement 498.7 cc. (88 mm. x 82 mm.)
Cooling: Air
Transmission: Three-speed block, hand-operated
Power: 22 h.p. at 5,500 r.p.m.
Maximum speed: About 95 m.p.h.
Chassis: Continuous tubular double cradle, rear rigid. Front wheel, parallelogram suspension
Brakes: Rear, side drum