NGC- 1960's GP technology

[SIR REAL ED]

a quick starting glimpse into the mind blowing GP technology of the 1960's.

50cc bikes with 14 speed transmissions,
four strokes turning over 20,000 rpms,
2 cylinder 50cc engines,
4 and 5 cylinder 125cc engines,
6 cylinder 250cc engines

What unlimited money and research could produce.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfG9OIC5ywM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmqV11TpREw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLYo8io6fBA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDd0kVnnqfg

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

And a tiny Italian factory nearly beat the "invincible" Japanese for the 1963 250 GP championship. Tarquinio Provini on the Morini 250 single, missed two rounds and finished two points behind Brian Redman on the Honda 250 four.

https://www.mcnews.com.au/1963-moto-morini-250-bialbero-taquino-provini/

[bigbikerrick]

very cool videos!   
Rick

[SIR REAL ED]

And a tiny Italian factory nearly beat the "invincible" Japanese for the 1963 250 GP championship. Tarquinio Provini on the Morini 250 single, missed two rounds and finished two points behind Brian Redman on the Honda 250 four.

https://www.mcnews.com.au/1963-moto-morini-250-bialbero-taquino-provini/

Amen Charlie, an excellent illustration of a highly developed and refined technology taking on "the new kid on the block" innovative technology.

IIRC, in 1963, the Japanese were still a few years short of being viewed as invincible.

Even late in the game, when the rules changed to permit "only 2 cylinders" and "only 6 speeds" in the 125cc class, Morbidelli (sp?) was kicking ass with a 125 that was putting out 55 horsepower.  They may have been dominant or competitive right up until the end of the 125cc class.

[ScepticalScotty]

Don't forget the AIR COOLED 250 single OSSA that was a great example of thinking out of the box at the time. 

[ScepticalScotty]

I did see the 125-5 run at Goodwood quite a few years ago - the sound was like an alien thing. It did go pop at the tip of the hill unfortunately, but nothing HRC can't repair.

[Muzz]

Don't forget the AIR COOLED 250 single OSSA that was a great example of thinking out of the box at the time.

The Ossa story is a great read. one bike, one rider, one mechanic and one designer basically. Single cylinder with a monocoque frame that was beating the Japanese multis until Herrero was killed.

[Canuck750]

There was Benelli (pre de Tomaso era) Benelli re-entered the racing fray with rider Renzo Pasolini, who won second place in both the 350cc and 250cc classes at the 1968 Isle of Man TTs, and dominated the Italian Championship in both classes the rest of ’68, giving Giacomo Agostini and his MV and excellent view of the Benelli’s tailpipes all year long. The Benelli 250 4cylinder bikes were great machines.
In 1969, Kel Carruthers joined Pasolini, and the pair made an unbeatable team, each winning three GP victories that year, giving Benelli their second World Championship title.

[SIR REAL ED]

The Ossa story is a great read. one bike, one rider, one mechanic and one designer basically. Single cylinder with a monocoque frame that was beating the Japanese multis until Herrero was killed.

Speaking of Ossa's:

https://www.advrider.com/museum-of-vintage-trail-bikes-up-for-auction/

This collection was auctioned a few months ago.  The pictures of the bikes on the site advertising the auction were mind-blowing!  The site may still be out there on the internet somewhere.