Moto Guzzi Normale, Sport and GT Norge

Moto Guzzi · 1921–1930

Moto Guzzi Normale, Sport and GT Norge: history and buying advice

The first Guzzis: the horizontal single that lasted until 1976.

Nederlandse versie

Moto Guzzi Sport 14 from 1929
Moto Guzzi Sport 14 from 1929. Photo: Wikimedia Commons, free licence; author and licence are on that page.

History

In 1921 production of the Normale began in Mandello del Lario, the first Moto Guzzi built in series. The layout was straight away the Guzzi formula for fifty years: a horizontal 500 cc single with a big external flywheel. The valve layout was unusual: the inlet valve sat at the side and the exhaust valve in the head, the opposite of normal, so that the hot exhaust valve was cooled better. As early as October 1921 Gino Finzi won the Targa Florio on one, the make’s first victory. Just over 2,000 Normales were built.

From late 1923 came the Sport, later the Sport 14. In 1928 the GT arrived with a sprung rear frame, then still a rarity. That year Giuseppe Guzzi, brother of founder Carlo, rode one from Mandello to the Arctic Circle in Norway. After that trip the model got the nickname ‘Norge’.

Key data

EngineHorizontal single, four-stroke; inlet at the side, exhaust in the head
Bore × stroke88 × 82 mm, 498 cc
PowerNormale: 8 to 8.5 hp
Top speedNormale: c. 80–85 km/h
ProductionNormale: 2,065 (1921–1923)

What to check when buying

  • These are museum pieces. Have the origin and numbers checked by an expert or the Moto Guzzi Club.
  • Many parts are remade or from later models. Ask what is original.
  • Check the magneto ignition and the lubrication; an old engine must be recommissioned gently after a long lay-up.
  • On a GT look at the rear suspension and the friction dampers.
  • Compare the frame and engine numbers with the papers.
To the workshop guide NL

SourcesWikipedia: Moto Guzzi Normale (Italian)Wikipedia: Moto Guzzi GT Norge (Italian)Wikipedia: list of Moto Guzzi models

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