Report From Italy
REPORT FROM ITALY
CARLO PERELLI
AERMACCHI 250 TWIN
Aermacchi unveiled their new 250-cc two-stroke racing Twin exactly 10 years after the introduction of their now legendary 250 four-stroke Singles. This new model, also called the Golden Wing, was straddled recently at Modena by Renzo Pasolini, who has returned to Aermacchi after four years with Benelli. According to head designer William Soncini, this first outing was most satisfactory.
In the Aermacchi tradition, the Golden Wing is sturdy and simple. The oversquare Twin, with a bore and stroke of 56 by 50mm, is fed by two 30-mm carburetors coupled to flat-type, rubber-mounted Amal float chambers. Electronic ignition is featured, the generator is on the left side, compression ratio is 12.5:1, and 46 bhp is produced at the rear wheel, between 10,500 and 11,000 rpm.
In the interest of simplicity, rotating discs were not considered; lubrication is accomplished by mixing oil in the gas. Primary drive to the six-speed in unit gearbox is on the right side, as is the rev counter drive and dry clutch. The crankcase splits horizontally.
Weight of the prototype pictured here (fitted with 3.00-18 front and 3.25-18 rear tires) is 275 lb. Soon, however, the iron cylinders will he replaced with alloy units featuring chromed bores. This should result in a 22-lb. weight saving. It is hoped that other modifications will bring weight down to that of the 250 pushrod Single (242 lb.) or less.
LINTO AND PATON
It is difficult for the Linto and Paton 500 Twins to keep on level terms with the H1 R Kawasakis, but the little Italian artisanal enterprises have been working hard on this task. Considering their very limited resources, they deserve the highest consideration.
Linto, backed financially by ex-racer Umberto Premoli and technically by Lino Tonti, has decided to stop selling machines to private riders. Instead, they are concentrating on serving Alberto Pagani only.
The engine, fed by huge 38or 4 0-mm carburetors, depending upon which race the machine is entered in, has been revised in the lubrication, crankshaft, and ignition departments. It now revs to 11,500 rpm, with 65 bhp delivered to the rear wheel. The frame has also been modified to hold the engine less rigidly. Because of this, fewer annoying vibrations are conducted to the rider.
The Paton, developed and built by Giuseppe Pattoni and Gianemilio Marchesani, now uses an eight-valve head and electronic ignition. These improvements allow for a rev peak of 1 1,000 rpm. Patons will be straddled by the brilliant newcomers Mandracci and Gallina.
IT HAD TO HAPPEN
It had to happen also in Italy. Daniele Mutti, an enthusiast from Turin, has combined a Norton Manx and a Vincent Black Shadow-another classic Norvin.
The long and detailed adapting has been wonderfully executed by Francesco Vergano, also from Turin. Please don’t ask what this Norvin, which took two years to complete, cost.
The engine has been “hotted up” by fitting pistons and cams from a Lightning, and temperament has been improved by adapting 32-mm VHB Dellorto concentric carburetors. Claimed weight is 370 lb. Claimed top speed is 145 mph.
Fuel and oil tanks have been handmade out of light alloy. Forks are Ceriani GP units, brakes are by Fontana and the exhaust pipes, although not really in order with regulations, makes a fascinating sound.
This delightful special, exhibited at the recent Turin show among the cream of current Italian and foreign production, literally played the part of a “prima donna.” It's really a pity no replicas are forecast.
ELECTRON FORKS
Frame specialist Ot lunar “Marly” Drixl has entered the fork sector. He is building competition units, some of them partly in electron, which weigh a claimed 3 lb. less than similar Cerianis while offering more sturdiness and et tide ncy.
Electron is used for the upper and lower yokes as well as the outer legs. The inner legs are in chrome-molybdenum, covered by 0.2-mm of hard chrome. Five and six-tenths to 8.0 in. of travel can he obtained.
Called Drixton S, these new forks are handled by Bertarelli Moto, via al Torrente di Sturla IL Genova. Italy.
