1948 Moto Guzzi Superalce
As exhibited in the acclaimed 2021 GOMA exhibition
Frame number; AV 30642
Engine number AV 96972
If any models of Moto Guzzi have come to symbolise the marque, it has been the those powered by a 500cc horizontal single. Introduced with the Normale in 1921 the 500cc horizontal single powered a wide range of motorcycles for five decades. This included the World War II Alce; Guzzi’s most famous military motorcycle.
The production 500cc single cylinder engine came in for a complete redesign for 1934, and was called the “V”. While retaining the distinctive horizontal cylinder, 88x82 bore and stroke, and external flywheel, the valve layout was updated to include two inclined overhead valves operated by pushrods and rockers with external hairpin springs. The aluminium crankcase was also restyled. The cast-iron cylinder head had twin exhaust ports and with a 5.5:1 compression ratio and a 27mm carburettor, power was increased to 18.5 horsepower at 4,300rpm. Ignition was by a Bosch magneto with manual advance. The gearbox was now four-speed, and foot operated, and there was the usual 280mm external flywheel. All the gearbox shafts ran in ball bearings, there was a helical geared primary drive, and the big-end bearings were needle rollers. So sound was this design, that it would form the basis of all later Guzzi 500 singles, including the magnificent Condor, Dondolino, and Gambalunga competition machines.
Moto Guzzi’s first military motorcycle was the three-speed G.T. 17 and this proved very successful in the war in Ethiopia in 1936. It’s replacement was the G.T.20. now designed for a more specific military application, in particular improved ground clearance. Although the basic 13.2 horsepower overhead exhaust and side inlet valve engine was retained, it was now derived from the S and featured a four-speed hand operated gearbox. The new frame mounted the engine higher and the front and rear wheels were interchangeable. Although only a few were built, its successor the Alce would become the backbone of their Italian motorcycle corps during World War II. Similar to the short-lived G.T. 20, the Alce had an oil pump automatic valve and alterations to the stand, exhaust pipes, and tool boxes. Produced until 1945, still with the opposed valve 13.2 horsepower engine, after the war it evolved into the Superalce, now with the V engine. The Superalce was released in 1946, and except for the V engine was almost identical to its predecessor. The suspension was by a girder fork on the front and swingarm at the rear. Both included friction dampers. The wheels were 19-inch front and rear and the Superalce was available in single or dual seat versions. The weight was 195kg and top speed 110 km/h. The Superalce remained available to the Carabinieri and military until 1958 but was only ever produced in relatively small numbers. The total production between 1946 and 1958 was only 5,266, and this is one of 106 Superalces built in 1948. To the end the Superalce retained the girder fork but gained a magneto with an automatic advance in 1952. Until 1955 it always featured a distinctive double silencer exiting on the left. By 1958 it was very much a relic of the 1930s and only 80 were built in that final year.
This dual seat 1948 Moto Guzzi Superalce was exhibited at the acclaimed 2021 Goma exhibition. The current owner, a Melbourne Collector, acquired it from a Bayside collection and it is presented in museum quality condition. We are informed by the vendor the bike is in good running order.
To view high resolution images of the motorcycles, please follow the below Dropbox link;
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/n5bcjb2nuoc16t4y3k5hs/h?dl=0&rlkey=exyqlbxilyvv4n3ue8jmppkbx
This motorcycle is sold unregistered.
