THE MOTORCYCLE COMPANY
(for addresses see the end of this newsletter)

Dear Motorfriend,

Many of you have already made good use of our successful Stunt Sale. If you haven't made your move yet, there still is time to do so until Saturday May 11th.
Grab this chance.

This happening is not even over yet and the next one is coming up soon. On Saturday June 1st we are organizing the MV Agusta day. More about this later on in the letter.

TMC moves onto International territory more and more. In this newsletter you can read about our new plans. (Because of this reason we are looking to find a representative in Spain.)

This and more in this newsletter.

For The MOTORCYCLE TEAM,

Harm and Robert

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THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE INFO

TMCI - E1120 APRIL-MAY 2002

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MV still is the bearer of the most world titles, to be 38, holding 270 Grand Prix victories! MV, as the brand is being abbreviated, stands for Meccanica Verghera; Machine factory Verghera, the official location of the factory between Varese and Milan.

As so many other Italian motorcycle manufacturers , MV started before WW I as an airplane manufacturer . After WW II they had to find another venture in which the building of light motorcycles, considering the need for cheaper transportation, was the obviously lucrative plan. With the 125 two-stroke , they instantly received some success in racing. Because of Mondial and Morini , starting in 1949, racing much faster four-strokes, MV itself came up with the one cylinder four-stroke, immediately equipped with double camshafts on top. This racer stayed very successful until the beginning of the 60's, especially in the hands of Ubbiali, the then current king of the small class. The first world title for MV was made in 1952 with a 125 Cecil Sandford.

At the end of 1949 MV bought Pietro Remor from competitor Gilera, on the other side of Milan. This engineer had been responsible at Gilera for the successful post war redevelopment of the revolutionary pre war Gilera 500 cc four cylinder inline motor, but didn't feel comfortable there. He brought with him the head of the race department of Gilera, Arturo Magni.

In 5 months time, Remor came up with a new 500 cc racer, filled with his latest ideas. This motorcycle had a cardan drive and a revolutionary cycle part , with a parallelogram rear fork and front fork, both with torsion suspension. This was done to totally disconnect the reaction moments of breaking and the drive from the suspension at both sides. In 1951, because the drivers couldn't handle this system, they used their influence to make the cycle part more conventional, also leaving out the cardan drive In front they placed a pushed swing arm according to the patents of Earles, under influence of the English factory driver Leslie Graham. Later, after being pushed by other racers, this one was replaced by a more conventional telescope fork. During these experimental times, all possible shapes of frames, blocks and front forks were mixed and matched. In the mean time the development of the engine blocks didn't come to a halt either. Due to a couple of tragic accidents in the 500 cc class, it took until 1956 before John Surtees won a world title with MV. After that many would follow.

The end 1950 introduced MV 500 Turismo street motorcycle was a prototype, based on the GP racer from earlier that year. Eventhough the price had been mentioned during the introduction at the Milan fall show (950,000 Lire), this beautifully streamlined motorcycle never made production. Count Domenico Agusta, who as oldest in the family and racing fanatic, managed the family business and racing in particular very tightly, did not allow his racers to become street motorcycles. According to some this was because he feared the competitors of his factory team, according to others he feared that his good reputation could be blemished by the less experienced private rider. Of only the 125 racer he made a production racing version in the mid 50's , having a single camshaft on top. Most of the street bikes were known for their robust ( in comparison to the competition they seemed tame) models, among which the 175 CS from 1953 ( in several versions) with its camshaft on top made the biggest impression.

Not until 1965 did they make another attempt to produce a four cylinder street bike. The block was derived from the '50's GP engine, again equipped with cardan drive and was turned into a 600 cc, transplanted to a touring cycle part. This motorcycle was not a hit with the public, expecting more from a brand like MV and for the price tag also an other motorcycle. In 1969 they introduced the 750 S , a sporty version of the 600 cc, but keeping the original frame and the cardan drive. In an attempt to concur the American market, the 750 S was followed by the 750 S 'America', now made into a 790 cc, equipped with a left transmission, quiet intake and exhaust and the styling (finally) matching the, then, factory racers.

It was too late for MV. MV was in financial trouble ( and because of the death of "the Count" in 1971) became under supervision from the state run VM-group. At the end of the 70's they decided to halt the production of MV motorcycles. Word goes that this decision was made in favor of Ducati (also under control of the state since 1948). It was thought that the aero- branch of MV with the Agusta helicopters had a better future.

The truth was a bit more prosaic : an MV 750 four cylinder cost about 7500 Euro in 1976. The more modern Honda 750 four cylinder only 2600 Euro. The disappointing sales figures of the last and now older street models and the stricter rules for noise control of street and race motorcycles , brought higher costs MV couldn't carry any longer. Management chose with the aero branch for continuity of the business and therefore also for job opportunities.

At the beginning of the 90's, the brothers Castiglioni of the Cagiva company bought the name MV Agusta. In 1997 , under heavy scrutiny, they introduced the four cylinder 750 cc DOHC motorcycle under the MV flag, but developed by Cagiva. In the mean time, the whole Cagiva company has changed its name to MV Agusta. With its clean lines and great technique, this motorcycle is a honorable carrier of this famous name.

(With thanks to Luc Meersmans of the MV Owners Club Benelux)

PROGRAM :
Since the beginning TMC has been selling the motorcycles of this characterfull brand. What to expect on this day? First of all there will be a display of motorcycles from TMC as well as private parties. The MV Agusta Owners Club Benelux will be presenting a few motorcycles as well as a stand. We will try to show you a broad spectrum of the motorcycles produced since 1945, not forgetting the four-, two-, and light one cylinders. Next to that we will have literature , stickers and parts for sale recently acquired by TMC. A festive atmosphere as well as a snack and drinks will be provided. We are leaving it up to the visitors to drive up on their MV's bringing the nice weather. Of course we are also inviting all the non- MV riders!

First of all, we will have a stand at the yearly Ducati Meet in Ursel, Belgium. Organized by the Ducati Club of Flanders. Ursel is in between Gent and Brugge at the " Militair Domein exit 11" off the E40. The dates are May 18th and 19th, 2002. The event isfor all Ducati`s. There will be a lot of attention paid to the classic Ducati Bevel Drive. You will be able to find stands with parts and accessories , a ride will be also be organized.

On May 25th, we are going to the HMV demo match in Rockanje, NL. We will have a stand specifically geared towards competition motorcycles. We are also participating in the rigid/web class with a Norton International 350 from 1936. This event had a visitors count of 9000 last year and together with "Barneveld" is one of the most beautiful events of the HMV.

June 1st is the day for our MV Agusta day, you were able to read more about this in the previous chapter.

The weekend of June 8th and June 9th is the time for the Ducati club races on the circuit of Assen. Here also, we will have a stand. The event doesn't need more explanation. People who have been there before speak about the days as being a top event. The whole weekend will be full with races and a lot of fun around the circuit.

After that it will be quiet for awhile because of the summer vacation. On September 28th we will be present at the National Veteran Meeting in Woerden, NL. Another event you can not miss, especially for the lover of older motorcycles. Always a very fun event with a ride through the area, a "most beautiful motorcycle" election and lots of stands with parts.

On October 12th and 13th, we will be at the VETARAMA in Mannheim, Germany. A large international show with a large number of visitors, also from outside of Europe. A show you should not miss, not that far away and a very big selection.

We are also planning a show in Italy, for this we are considering Novegro. A large show planned for November 16th and 17th. In later newsletters more information.

In short our program, for now :
* until May 11th our STUNT SALE
* May 18th and 19th, URSUL, Belgium
* May 25th in ROCKANJE, NL.
* June 1st, our MV DAY in BERGAMBACHT
* June 8th and 9th ASSEN, NL
*September 28th WOERDEN, NL
* October 12th and 13th, MANNHEIM, Germany
* November 16th and 17th NOVEGRO, Italy

Any additions will be added to our web site a.s.a.p.:
http://www.themotorcyclecompany.net

Lately we have been getting more business in Spain and also have been receiving a lot of requests for information from this country. From Bergambacht , this gives us some problems because of the distance to Spain and the language barrier. This is cause for us to find someone who can take care of our interests and represent us. We are looking for a person or organization with a lot of knowledge about English and Italian classic motorcycles as well as good commercial capabilities.
Would you know of someone, please contact us.

PLEASE NOTE! TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT,
WE ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAY, MONDAY AND TUESDAY!

As you know, the coffee is always fresh and free!

P.S. Do you know of names and email addresses of people who are
interested in our free Newsletter, please let us know.
If you are no longer interested in receiving our free Newsletter, please
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THE MOTORCYCLE COMPANY
Ambachtstraat 3, 2861 EW Bergambacht
Tel: , Fax:

http://www.themotorcyclecompany.net
info
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