Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: drlapo on May 29, 2016, 03:37:25 PM

Title: Early40s alce
Post by: drlapo on May 29, 2016, 03:37:25 PM

What kind of rear suspension does this model have?
I recognize the friction shock absorbers but can't find rear springs.
How does the"twin" beam swing arm work?

Title: Re: Early40s alce
Post by: Muzz on May 29, 2016, 04:16:39 PM

Sorry, never heard of an alce.

Title: Re: Early40s alce
Post by: pehayes on May 29, 2016, 04:34:38 PM

The ALCE (Italian for ELK, European mountain animal nearly synonymous with the American Moose) was a pre-war, EOI 500cc.  Unique for a number of reasons.  Second set of folding handlebars for the passenger.  Hill brake engaged to the rear sprocket so it wouldn't roll backwards on hills.  The rear suspension is a swingarm similar to most pre-war and wartime Guzzi singles.  This one has four sets of coil springs in a horizontal box below the engine.  Long rods pass through the springs and into the swingarm.  When the swingarm deflects upward, the rod pull against and compress the springs.  There is also a side wheel adjuster M/B for Monoposto and Biposto so you can quickly pre-load the spring set when carrying a passenger.  Toward the end of the war, the Alce got a more powerful dual overhead cam valve engine and was renamed the SUPERALCE.  Here are your parts.


(http://thumb.ibb.co/d8DJdv/Alce_Swingarm.jpg) (http://ibb.co/d8DJdv)



(http://thumb.ibb.co/eSvWyv/DSCN1295.jpg) (http://ibb.co/eSvWyv)


Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

Title: Re: Early40s alce
Post by: pehayes on May 29, 2016, 04:36:47 PM

BTW, where did you see one?  Was it the earlier Alce (1938-1945) or later SuperAlce (1946-1957).  Would only know by tank hand shifter and valve configuration.  Otherwise identical.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

Title: Re: Early40s alce
Post by: drlapo on May 29, 2016, 05:08:08 PM

There was a 40 Alce in Oxford MA today at a British bike meet

Title: Re: Early40s alce
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on May 29, 2016, 05:24:22 PM

Quote from: pehayes on May 29, 2016, 04:34:38 PM

Toward the end of the war, the Alce got a more powerful dual overhead cam engine and was renamed the SUPERALCE.

I'm guessing you meant overhead valve?

Title: Re: Early40s alce
Post by: pehayes on May 29, 2016, 05:46:52 PM

Quote from: Antietam Classic Cycle on May 29, 2016, 05:24:22 PM

I'm guessing you meant overhead valve?

DOH!  Fixed.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA