Report From Italy
REPORT FROM ITALY
CARLO PERELLI
TEN YEARS AGO Moto Guzzi built the most fabulous and advanced machine ever made, the 500cc V-8 (CW September 1964), yet the Italian factory at Mandello del Lario — on the Como Lake shores — is still producing the most “romantic” 500cc single cylinder in the world, the “Falcone” (Big Hawk) model.
It is actually a pleasure (or to some people a new and refreshing experience) to potter along in country lanes at nearly walking pace in top, or to use the same gear to successfully face climbs and acute bends, with the engine turning over so slowly you can count the strokes, yet pulling effortlessly for miles and miles. And the Big Hawk offers these features.
The power unit of the Falcone features practically the same design of the first Moto Guzzi built in the “roaring twenties.” It has, in fact, the same oversquare bore and stroke dimensions, 88 x 82 = 499cc, horizontal cylinder with radical finning, primary drive by gears and external flywheel on the left hand side, separate oil tank with gear pump, etc. The inclined overhead valves are pushrod-operated, a 27mm Dellorto carburetor is utilized, the gearbox has four speeds and the clutch is multi-plate. With 5.5:1 compression the engine develops 18 bhp at 4300 rpm.
The horizontal cylinder allows a saddle height of only 28.3 inches and this, coupled with the low center of gravity, makes for excellent stability, another most agreeable feature. On the other hand, the slightly longer than usual wheelbase due to the horizontal cylinder is not appreciably disturbing because, when riding this machine, sporting tactics and quick maneuvers must be left out. So to operate the long heel and toe gearchange lever you must move the right foot from its rest and the same happens with the rear brake pedal, actuated by the left heel as in bygone days. Riding position is practically perfect and suspension is good. A concession to modern times, the front fork is teledraulic while the rear suspension is the type pioneered by Moto Guzzi in the early thirties, i.e.: swinging arms acting on
two big helical springs under the crankcase. To supplement it there are manually regulated friction dampers.
No difficulty or particular effort is experienced to start the engine, thanks mainly to the valve lifter, and idling is then so slow that you can literally “follow” the various strokes, hear the suction of the carburetor and the various movements.
Acceleration is not breathtaking because weight of the machine in running order is 407 lbs., but since the bottom ratio is rather “long” there is good pickup from standing. The other gearbox ratios are then well proportioned.
Top speed is not particularly thrilling for a five-hundred — 75 mph — but this is a particular machine and this figure is reached with the rider well up, legshields, etc., and can be maintained as long as you want without any sign of fatigue from the oil-tight engine (which, incidentally, can easily run up a mileage of 50.000 without any major overhaul). The 9.05-inch diameter side drum brakes on the 19" wheels are quite efficient and waterproof. Fuel consumption varies from 55 to 70 miles per gallon according to use, but it is generally nearer the latter figure, thanks especially to the high torque from the engine.
Some years ago Moto Guzzi discontinued the Falcone production for civilian use, making it only for the police and army, but requests from all around prompted them to re-introduce it about a year ago. So this big ’un is again sold with success at 432,000 liras (about $830) in Italy. But a completely new 700cc Moto Guzzi twin is under way. . . •
