Lot details Registration No: N/A Frame No: T.B.A. Engine No: T.B.A. cc: 49 MOT Expiry Date: N/A
The early post war years in Italy were marked by a desperate need for personal transport that was addressed by various manufacturers in different ways. Piaggio introduced the Vespa scooter which was soon joined by the early Lambretta, while other motorcycle manufacturers introduced small lightweight machines of more traditional design with displacements in the 75cc to 100cc category. Moto Guzzi's answer was the Motoleggera 65 introduced in 1946, which was succeeded by the Cardelino in 1954. The Cardelino utilised a more refined chassis, initially equipped with a pressed steel girder fork like that employed by its predecessor, although this quickly gave way to a telescopic front fork. The swinging arm was damped by friction dampers in a similar way to the system employed by the larger Guzzi's. Later versions adopted conventional spring/damper units and would be joined by a higher performance sports variant. Four stroke conversions were popular during the fifties, being marketed by a number of firms. The increases in two stroke performance led to the Cardelino being replaced during the mid sixties by the 49cc Dingo range.
This machine appears to have been built using a Dingo frame as the basis, with power being provided by a Cardelino engine with a four stroke conversion. A set of Earles type forks compliment the pivoted fork rear end and full width hubs are laced to alloy wheel rims. Drop bars, a racing number plate, single racing seat and an exhaust system featuring a stacked pair of silencers all contribute to the sporty image. Attractively presented in Italian racing red with maroon tank panels this lovely little Special evokes memories of the featherweight racing machines produced in Italy during the fifties.
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