Moto Guzzi’s first dedicated competition motorcycle the C4V – With Phil Aysnley
This is the first dedicated competition bike from Moto Guzzi, a C4V.
While the company’s first production model was the 1923 two valve C2V, the original bike that Carlo Guzzi and Giorgo Parodi constructed in 1920 was the ‘G.P.’
The bike was advanced for the time with a four valve head among many other features. The C4V saw a return to this layout when it was released in 1924.
It was immediately competitive, winning numerous Italian events before finishing first, second and fourth in the first Championship of Europe race (held over 400km) at Monza in September 1924.
Two weeks later a C4V won the German GP at Avus. In fact it was the first successful Italian 500cc class entry.
Apart from the limited number of Corsa factory bikes, 486 C4Vs were produced for privateers up until 1926.
A three-speed hand change gearbox was used, with power output of 25hp at 4500rpm. Wet weight was 130kg, with a top speed of 140km/h.
