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MCNews

Bianchi’s post-war motorcycles

Bianchi Aquilotto, Bianchina and Falco

Phil Aynsley by Phil Aynsley
July 24, 2020
in Features, Motorcycle Gallery, Motorcycle News

Bianchi’s Aquilotto, Bianchina & Falco

With Phil Aynsley


Following on from the previous column (A short history of Bianchi Motorcycles) I thought I’d round out the look at Bianchi with some of their post war bikes.

PA Bianchi Aquilotto
Bianchi Aquilotto

During the 1930s the company started producing trucks but the factory was destroyed by bombing during the war. To re-establish the company, the Aquilotto (Eaglet) clip-on motor was put into production. This 48 cc 2-stroke motor was designed to be attached to a bicycle in much the same way as Ducati’s Cucciolo motor, to provide basic transportation.

PA Bianchi Aquilotto
Bianchi Aquilotto
PA Bianchi Aquilotto
Bianchi Aquilotto

A full motorcycle, the 125 cc Bianchina 2T, appeared in 1947 and proved to be a success, also helping the company recover from the destruction of their Milanese factory and the death in 1946 of Edorado Bianchi, the founder of the company.

PA Bianchina
Bianchi Bianchina

Lino Toni was employed in 1950, and together with Sandro Colombo, designed a 250 cc parallel twin 4-stroke for GP competition, this proved to be too heavy and was subsequently enlarged to a 350 cc then a 500 cc machine – in which guise it did show some promise.

PA Bianchina
Bianchi Bianchina
PA Bianchina
Bianchi Bianchina
PA Bianchina
Bianchi Bianchina
PA Bianchina
Bianchi Bianchina
PA Bianchina
Bianchi Bianchina

Several were campaigned by privateers and the design formed the basis of the Paton 500 twin racer. The example seen here was photographed outside the Sammy Miller Museum during its restoration in 2015.

PA Bianchi GP
Bianchi produced a range of machinery

Back on the street a wide range of models were produced in the ‘50s and ‘60s. This Bernia is from around 1963 and had a 125 cc OHV 4-stroke motor. It and the 173 cc Tonale, also a 4-stroke single but with a chain-driven OHC, were two of the best known of the company’s later models.

PA Bianchi Bernia
Bianchi Bernia
PA Bianchi Bernia
Bianchi Bernia
PA Bianchi Bernia
Bianchi Bernia
PA Bianchi Bernia
Bianchi Bernia
PA Bianchi Bernia
Bianchi Bernia
PA Bianchi Bernia
Bianchi Bernia

The Falco moped used a licence built Puch 50 cc 2-stroke motor. An interesting fact is that many small capacity Bianchi two-stroke bikes were sold in the US as Montgomery Ward Riverside models.

PA Bianchi Falco
Bianchi 50 Falco
PA Bianchi Falco
Bianchi 50 Falco
PA Bianchi Falco
Bianchi 50 Falco
PA Bianchi Falco
Bianchi 50 Falco
PA Bianchi Falco
Bianchi 50 Falco
PA Bianchi Falco
Bianchi 50 Falco
PA Bianchi Falco
Bianchi 50 Falco

The motorcycle part of the company ceased trading in 1967 leaving the original bicycle concern to keep the Bianchi name at the forefront of a different section of the two-wheeled world.

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Tags: BianchiFeatureFeaturesHistoryMotorcycle HistoryPhil Aynsley
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Phil Aynsley

Phil Aynsley

Phil Aynsley sadly passed away in 2023 after a life spent travelling the world photographing many of the rarest and most beautiful motorcycles ever made. We are proud to continue showcasing his catalogue of work on MCNews.com.au.

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