Italian Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Italian Motorcycle Personalities

Notable Competitors, Industrialists and Designers

A

Abarth
Carlo Abarth designed motorcycle frames and won the European Championship five times.

Anzani
Alessandro Anzani engines for aircraft and motorcycles in France and Italy, beginning in 1907. An Anzani engine powered Bleriot's aircraft in the first flight across the English Channel.

B

Bianchi Edoardo Bianchi built motorcycles in Milano 1897 to 1967. Raised in an orphanage, he became one of the most important figures in Italian motorcycle history. Tazio Nuvolari came to fame riding his machines.

Borgo Brothers Alberto, Carlo and Edmondo Borgo built motorcycles from 1906 to 1926 in Turin. In 1911 they began fitting aluminium pistons, the first firm to do so. Their most famous rider is Victorina Sambri who raced Motoborgo motorcycles before and after the first war. In the 20s the focus of the business shifted to piston manufacture.

M

Marama
Toyo Marama, who seemed to have almost as many names as he had languages, is credited with the introduction of speedway to Italy. Movie material.

P

Piatti
Vincenzo Piatti, designer and manufacturer of the Piatti scooter, began his professional life working with Ettore Bugatti, later assisted Suzuki in the development of their four-valve head, and is known for many other projects including the humble Mini-Motor.
Ben Shannon has published a detailed account of his "Twinspin" concept in PDF format, available at world-engine-design.com

Piatti Archive

R

Remondini

Giuseppe Remondini worked with Alfa Romeo, Frera, Nagas & Ray and Jonghi.

Remondini


Ricordi

Instrumental in the development of motor sport in Italy

Giuseppe Ricordi

T

Taglioni
Fabio Taglioni played an important role in the histories of Ceccato, Mondial and Ducati. He worked with Ducati from 1954 to 1989 during which time he designed over 1000 engines - and famously, the Desmo system introduced in 1956.
Phil Aynsley's entertaining account of A Party with Fabio Taglioni

Trespidi
Pietro Trespidi (B. Stradella, 27 April 1897 - D. Stradella, 10 July 1976 ) was a designer and entrepreneur who was involved with Gilera, Alpino, Ardito, Parilla, Guazzoni and other marques.
Pietro Trespidi


V

Vassena

Pietro Vassena - brilliant designer and inventor from Lecco.

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