MG Astorino (!)

[jwinwi]

VERY rare model for sale on ebay: 1950  250cc Astorino. So rare that Colombo never heard of it! No connection to seller...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1950-Moto-Guzzi-Astorino/183294324318?hash=item2aad316e5e:g:C-8AAOSwE3tbM7yP&vxp=mtr

[twhitaker]

I think it's an Astore.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I think it's an Astore.

The Astore was a 500. Looks like a Airone to me. 

[fotoguzzi]

"It is quiet rare"  not the loud rare you usually find on ebay.

[Rainrider]

"It is quiet rare"  not the loud rare you usually find on ebay.

"Speak softly and carry a rare steak."
-T. Roosevelt

[canuck750]

It is an Astorino, 250cc, I too have not been able to find it listed in the Guzzi books I have.

I am in the process of buying a 1949 Astorino that was on Craigslist in California for a very short time a couple weeks ago. Patrick Hayes confirmed the make for me. I was shocked to see another one for sale, they were rare in Italy and not imported into North America. The one I am buying has a little more 'patina', a good candidate for a full restoration.

The Astorino has the stamped rear swing arm and the rear shock absorbers, the Airione has the dog leg friction dampers.



I can hardly wait for it to arrive!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The Colombo book lumps them all together, no mention of an "Astorino". The one you've bought(?) looks to have a later ('52 onward) gas tank.

[canuck750]

The Colombo book lumps them all together, no mention of an "Astorino". The one you've bought(?) looks to have a later ('52 onward) gas tank.

Yes the seller noted that the gas tank was from a later Falcone Turismo, the chrome smaller style tank of the Airione is the correct one. Reproductions of the chrome tank are apparently available. I paid less than what this one is asking but the one I bought is a little more on the 'used' side, not terrible but worn in.

[pehayes]

It is a coloquial, hobbyist name for the bike.  Likely documented officially as an Airone by the facory.  The Astore 500 was an experiment with the vertical, hydraulic rear shocks.  The smaller 250 version was thus affectionately called Astorino.  By users, not by the company.

Astore (ASS-store-ay) is a Goshawk if you are familiar with northern hemisphere predatory birds.

Airone (eye-ROW-nay) is a heron marsh bird.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[jwinwi]

Once again Jim and Pat produce actual facts 
Thank you Gents!

[SED]

It is an Astorino, 250cc, I too have not been able to find it listed in the Guzzi books I have.

I am in the process of buying a 1949 Astorino that was on Craigslist in California for a very short time a couple weeks ago. Patrick Hayes confirmed the make for me. I was shocked to see another one for sale, they were rare in Italy and not imported into North America. The one I am buying has a little more 'patina', a good candidate for a full restoration.

The Astorino has the stamped rear swing arm and the rear shock absorbers, the Airione has the dog leg friction dampers.



I can hardly wait for it to arrive!

Congratulations!  A friend just bought a '51 or '52 Airone.  Got it running but need to correct the timing.  Very cool bike.