Humble beginnings

[kenvil1]

I’d heard of it but never seen it.
I find it somewhat odd that a company known for producing bright red lightweight racing motorcycles would conceive of such a contraption as a “mountain car.” And that this contraption would eventually spawn the legendary V7.

http://www.bikeexif.com/3-wheel-motorcycle

[tazio]

"The complexity of maintenance didn't help either: the Guzzi was harshly nicknamed Orgia di ingranaggi, or 'orgy of gears'.
 

[fotoguzzi]

3x3 drive.. dig it!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I’d heard of it but never seen it.
I find it somewhat odd that a company known for producing bright red lightweight racing motorcycles would conceive of such a contraption as a “mountain car.” And that this contraption would eventually spawn the legendary V7.

http://www.bikeexif.com/3-wheel-motorcycle

I guess you missed my comment. It's a myth that the engine was later used in the V7. Two almost totally different engines.

Charles Mullendore • 3 years ago
Actually, Carcano had little if anything to do with the design and development of the "Mechanical Mule". It was designed by Antonio Micucci and Umberto Todero helped with development. The engine is similar in basic layout, but totally different than the unit used in the V700 and subsequent motorcycle models. Here's a section from "Moto Guzzi Big Twins" by Greg Field:

"Individually, Carcano and Todero had each worked on 90-degree Vs in the past. Carcano had designed an air-cooled 600 cc engine designed to power the Fiat 500 car, and Todero had helped develop the fan-cooled 750 cc engine for the 3x3 Mechanical Mule, an engine designed by another Moto Guzzi engineer, Antonio Micucci.

Neither the Fiat 500 nor the Mule engine was used as the basis for the V700 engine, however, and it's somewhat puzzling how the whole misconception got started, given the fact that the Mule engine was designed by Micucci, rather than Carcano. The fact is, all the V700 engine and the other two share in common is a 90-degree V-angle. "Comparing the head design and structure, the distribution, displacement, lube and fuel systems and engine crankcases is enough to demonstrate that the engines are totally different and come from different ideas, " asserted Todero. Said Carcano on the issue: "The (Mule) engine has nothing in common with the V7. It had a forced cooling system and was a 90-degree V, but it's cylinders, heads, and engine casing, etc., differed completely."

[kenvil1]

Neither the Fiat 500 nor the Mule engine was used as the basis for the V700 engine[/i]

Good to know, thank you for clarifying. These early examples did, at the very least, convince Moto Guzzi that the longitudinal V-twin configuration was worth pursuing.
Triumph similarly had an early (vertical) twin that didn't amount to anything. Like Carcano did for Guzzi, it took Edward Turner to refine the configuration to its ultimate achievement.

[Turin]

"Moto Guzzi Big Twins" by Greg Field should be required reading for Guzzi owners.

I'd really like to know haw far back the Tractor myth goes. The first time I heard it was in 1991.

[Bulldog9]

If you ever want to see this, when in Pennsylvania just North West of the Intersection of I80 & I81 is a gem of a motorcycle museum named "Bills old Bike Barn" an amazing collection of motorcycles of all brands, but Bill has an area called "Guzziland" that has the Mule (in article) and a Guzzi Dump Truck, not to mention about a dozen other rare and interesting Guzzi's.  I saw NOTHING that could be applied to any Guzzi Motorcycle other than the name Moto Guzzi. Definitely worth the visit. Swung by there last summer, but could only spare 2 hours. Plan to head back this year. Bill is very friendly, and a wealth of knowledge.

[Rick in WNY]

Now that's interesting... since my riding buddies and I were discussing a day trip to Bills this summer. It's about a two hour ride one way... I'm game!