Report From Italy
REPORT FROM ITALY
CARLO PERELLI
B EN EL LI - F( ) RI)?
One of Italy's largest motorcycle manufacturers, Benelli, lias been in debt for quite some time. Apparently their old-style family management with too many executive conflicts has not been able to keep pace.
Benelli, however, will survive, thanks to the l ord-owned De Tomaso sports car factory which has offered to take over the Pesaro firm. The changeover should take place in mid-August. As for Benelli's debt, it amounts to some $5 million.
Benelli was founded by five brothers (two of them still living) in 19 12. After WWI, they became one of the largest Italian motorcycle manufacturers and have since enjoyed a brilliant sporting career.
FASCINATING BIG SINGLES
Nobody can state that he has had all around motorcycling experience unless he has ridden a big Single, as they are completely different from two-stroke and four-stroke multis. Unfortunately, Singles are becoming even more rare these days in spite of their slow-revving, incredibly flexible power units.
Should you like to try something different. Moto Guzzi is offering the “New Falcon,” which has just appeared in Italian dealers’ showrooms.
The classic horizontal-cylinder, pushrod Single, producing 32 blip at 4800 rpm, has been retained in this updated Falcon, but electric starting has been added. Also new this year is a doubleexhaust which greatly reduces noise.
Wheelbase, as before, is rather long at 58 in. and the Falcon weighs 462 lb. Comfort, braking, and road-holding are its strong points, making the Falcon an excellent choice for long distance touring.
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ITALIAN CHAMPIONS FOR ISDT
the Italian ISDT-type championship has ended after five tough rounds, some of which were two-day events.
the title winners were: Pietro Polini (CMK 50), Bruno Ferrari (DIM 100). Arnaldo harioli (l)I .M 125). Augusto Taiocchi (KIM 175), and Silvano Rinaldi (Ossa 250).
Ehe CMK is a fine mount which is artisanally produced by a German engineer, Otto Koehler, at Rivoltella del Garda. All the other mounts are foreign makes, so there was no glory for the Italian industry.
Italy’s trophy team for the next ISDT, however, will be mounted on modified RT model Ducatis. A silver vase team will rely on Morinis, and yet another will be K I M mounted.
1000 BEAT THE SNOW
Some 1000 enthusiasts recently entered the Alpine Star rally and climbed to Sommeiller. This enchanting spot near the Italian-French border couldn’t be reached last year because of the heavy snowfall, but this time participants forced on and reached the summit.
What's more, some of the guys on trail machines rode over the nearby glacier and reached an altitude of some 10.000 ft.
Most of the European countries were represented and, to add variety, vintage machines also entered the run. Some even reached the summit after the more modern machinery opened a passage through the snow. [Q]
