Moto Guzzi Stornello 125 Turismo
With Phil Aynsley
While superficially similar the the earlier 175 cc Lodola, the Stornello was a new design penned by Giulio Carcano – his previous efforts included the 500 cc V8 (Moto Guzzi V8 | 300km/h in 1957 on a 500cc 4-stroke) – and was intended to be both cheap to manufacture and appealing to the US as well as the domestic market.
The 123 cc single featured parallel OHVs, a wet sump, a four-speed gearbox and die-cast crankcases in the effort to reduce costs. An open-loop tubular steel frame used the motor as a stressed member.
Later, more sporting models, were given angled-valve cylinder heads.
The Stornello sold well and in late 1969 was enlarged to 160 cc, with a 5-speed gearbox added the following year.
Eventually over 58,000 were produced before it was discontinued in 1974.
The bike seen here is a 1966 Turismo model that made 7 hp at 7200 rpm, weighed 85 kg with a top speed of about 100 km/h.
Moto Guzzi Stornello 125 Turismo Specifications
| Moto Guzzi Stornello 125 Turismo Specifications | |
| Engine | Air-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder, two valve, 123 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 52 x 58 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 8:01 |
| Max Power | 7 hp at 7000 rpm |
| Gearbox | Four-speed |
| Suspension | Telescopic forks, dual shocks |
| Brakes | Drum, front and rear |
| Tyres | 2.50 x 17, 3.00 x 17 |
| Weight | 85 kg |
