Classic Motorcycles article by Grant Howard. No idea of the date or publication, though it could be NZ Classic Car of November 1991.
Not many motorcycle or car manufacturers can claim to have marketed one model virtually unchanged for 26 years and have it remain popular throughout that span. Moto Guzzi did, with its 500cc Falcone single, and West Aukland owner Dave Rogers knows why. He has a 1974 version of the machine which was first introduced in 1950 and phased out finally in 1976.
Described by an Italian journalist, Carlo Perelli, as "the most romantic 500cc single in the world", The Falcone is no beauty. It looks strictly functional and that, perhaps, is the key to its charm. Based on Carlo Guzzi's original 1920 single-cylinder 500, it is remarkably simple when stacked alongside today's multi-cylinder marvels from Japan, Europe and the States.
When first marketed some 40 years ago, the engine had a bore of 88mm and a stroke of 82mm, giving it a capacity of 498.4cc. These dimensions remained down the years. Like so many Moto Guzzi singles, the Falcone had the engine barrel lying parallel to the ground, sported a massive external flywheel and had exposed hairpin valve springs. With a compression ratio of 5.5:1 and maximum revs of 4300, output was a modest 18.9bhp, enough to give it a claimed top speed of 120Kmh (75mph). Power was passed to the back wheel through a four-speed gearbox, telescopic forks took care of the front suspension while spring and friction dampers looked after the rear
.While the Falcone remained substantially the same over the years, the Guzzi factory made a number of detailed improvements. By 1974, the year of the Rogers model, power output was up to 26.2bhp and maximum engine revs increased by 500 to 4800rpm. A change to unit construction saw a large three-litre finned sump replace the old separate oil tank. Swinging arm rear suspension displaced the old spring and friction damper set-up and the original kick-starter gave way to a 12 volt electric version. The overhead valve gear was fully enclosed. The improvements came at a price: kerb weight was up from 170Kg to 214, leaving performance much as it had always been.
Seven years earlier, it should be noted, Moto Guzzi produced the last civilian Falcone but decided to retain a version for military purposes. Guzzi enthusiasts decreed otherwise. There was a hullabaloo from die-hards who demanded one of the big flat singles and would accept no substitutes. All this at a time when other manufacturers were succeeding with twins, triples and fours. What then was the Falcone's secret of success? According to Dave Rogers, the almost old- world charm of a big single providing terrific pulling power at slow revs. He describes the engine as having one firing stroke per lamp post, an exaggeration to be sure, but the almost lazy manner in which it clocks up the kilometres cannot fail to impress. The Falcone will potter along at almost walking pace in top gear, then accelerate away gently to climb a hill without any apparent strain on the one big 'lung'.
Idling can be so slow that you will swear the engine is about to die. But it doesn't! All of which makes it a fine touring machine with great economy. Driven hard point to point, the Falcone will turn in around 60 miles to the gallon. Easing back a bit on the twist grip will see this figure rise to a genuine 80, a commendable total in light of today's petrol prices. An 18 litre tank gives the bike a range of 250 miles (400 Km) and more at sensible cruising speeds.
A town bike the Falcone is not, Dave says, and he prefers to use his older British Matchless G9 500cc twin for running to and from work. The laid back performance of the Italian single makes keeping up with city and suburban traffic something of an effort.
'Romantic', the term used by Perelli is, perhaps, a bit over the top. 'Nostalgic' is probably a better word, for the Falcone revives memories of the days when many Kiwi motorcyclists did their touring on big British singles, like BSA, Norton, Ariel, AJS, Matchless, Velocette...
The list could go on, but sadly for some it does not.