Moto Guzzi Falcone

The Moto Guzzi Falcone was the company's premier road sports single of the post-war years, a 499 cc four-stroke with a horizontal, overhead-valve cylinder. Moto Guzzi introduced it in 1950 to replace the GTW500, although the GTV500 stayed on sale as the Astore until 1953. The engine made 23 hp at 4,500 rpm and kept the flywheel, oil pump, clutch actuator and gearshift mechanism outside the crankcase, which is why the big red and chrome flywheel is so recognisable. Power passed through primary gears to a constant-mesh gearbox derived from the Dondolino racer, and the bike could reach about 137 km/h. It had telescopic front forks and a swinging arm with two springs in a box under the engine and chrome scissor-type friction dampers. The Sport version used Borani alloy rims, the Turismo steel ones. Only about 200 were built in the first year, and most went to the Italian police and military. Cyber Motorcycle's text says production lasted until 1963, though the same page's table gives 1950 to 1967.