Moto Guzzi

. In this case, the pivot point is at the opposite (near) end, at the jaw. At the end of 1957 Moto Guzzi, Gilera and Mondial (the most important Italian Racing motorcycles manufacturers) agreed to stop participation to competitions. Parrots also use their beaks as nutcrackers, in much the same way smaller birds crack seeds. (not complete). They are also used for cracking the shells of crab and lobster so that the meat inside can be eaten. The 2004 Breva 750, 2005 Breva 1100 and Griso 1100, 2006 Norge 1200 are all-new motorcycles with competitive engineering and design, allthough the strong heritage/image seems to be the key to survival for the small Italian manufacturer by the romantic Como lake. Modern nutcrackers, designed solely to crack nuts, are usually made somewhat like pliers, but with the pivot point at the end beyond the nut, rather than in the middle.

The investments made by recent owners seem to bear fruit, as new models are now (2006) appearing at a rate not seen in recent years. Carvings by famous names like Jungbanel, Mertens, Karl, Kolbe, Petersen, Ulbricht and especially the Steinbach nutcrackers have become collectors' items. In 2004 the Piaggio group took over Aprilia forming Europe's biggest two wheel manufacturer. Many other materials were used for the decorated nutcrackers, such as porcelain, silver, and brass, and can be seen at the museum. A period of increasing control by an American investment group in the '90s was put to an end by the takeover by a competitive manufacturer, Aprilia, in 2000. Nutcrackers have become popular in the United States as well, and a recreated "Bavarian village" of Leavenworth, Washington even features a Nutcracker Museum. After financial troubles since the late '60s, the factory was bought by the Argentinian industrialist Alejandro de Tomaso in 1972. Today their income is supplemented by the travel industry bringing visitors to the remote areas.

Later models have improved greatly on the service intervals (today between 8,000-10,000 km). Wood carving was usually the only income for the people living there. After 1975 (from late T models) all models were equipped with a proper oil filter, which helps considerably on longevity, compared to the early models which merely had a sieve. The most famous nutcracker carvings come from Sonneberg, Thuringia, also a center of dollmaking, and from the Ore Mountains. The service interval of the older models is 3000 km and if this schedule is maintained the engine, partly due to its simplicity, will last. The carving of nutcrackers as well as religious figures and cribs developed as a cottage industry in forested rural areas of Germany. Several machines have clocked over 200,000 miles with basic maintenance. Modern nutcrackers in this style are mostly for decoration, mainly at Christmastime.

Although many regard Guzzis as old fashioned, it has been observed that a well maintained Guzzi engine can prove to be highly reliable. Originally one could insert a nut in the big-toothed mouth, press down and thereby crack the nut. The combination of European performance and manouverability coupled with laid back American styling has secured this model its cult following all over the world. These nutcrackers are carvings of a person with a large mouth that is opened by lifting a lever in the back of the figurine. police deparment. Nutcrackers as wood carvings of a soldier, knight, king, or other profession have been known since at least the 15th century. The first model appeared in 1972, and was based on a model sold to the L.A. It works on the principle of moments derived from Archimedes' discovery of the lever.

In the '80s and '90s the California models were the biggest sellers. A nutcracker is a mechanical device for cracking nuts. All the machines in this series are highly regarded for their styling and performance. Early models use 36 or 40 mm Dellorto carburetors but the late model V11 Le Mans are fuel injected. All models have shaft drive.

The first two models had rounded barrels while the latter have squared barrels. The I, II and III are 850 cc, the IV and V are 1000 cc and the V11 Le Mans is 1064 cc. Six versions of the Le Mans have been produced, designated I, II, III, IV, V and V11 Le Mans. When the Le Mans debuted in 1976 it was among the 5 best performing road bikes available.

With it's disc brakes and additional displacement, the 850 Le Mans lived up to the promise of the V7 Sport. The V7 Sport was planned as the first five speed, 200 kg, 200 kmph, production motorcycle. This model was a further development of the 1971 750 V7 Sport designed by Guzzi engineer Lino Tonti. One of it's most famous machines has been the Le Mans.

The company has produced over fifty models since its inception. This design was the basis for the 750 Breva and Nevada engines. In 1979 a small block version was introduced as the V50. This original engine has been continuously developed into the 1200 cc 80 hp versions offered today (2006).

The sturdy V-twin easily won and saved the firm from extinction. This engine was designed to win a competition for a new police bike sponsored by the Italian government. The air-cooled, transverse V-twin, pushrod engine started out with 700 cc displacement and 45 hp. The original V-twin was designed in the early '60s by engineer Giulio Cesare Carcano, designer of the fabulous V8 racer.

The company currently specializes in 90° V-twin engines. The horizontal single, and from the seventies the V2, has been the official motorcycle of Italy. Historically, much of Moto Guzzi's production has gone to the Italian army and police. Though relatively modest for Guzzis, these, and all other models were relatively upmarket and high quality in their corner of the market.

A 4 stroke 175 cc scooter known as the "Galetto" was a stable seller as well. The '46 "Motoleggera", a 65 cc lightweight motorcycle became hugely popular in postwar Italy. The solution was production of cheap lightweights. The period after World War 2, was difficult in Mandello del Lario as elsewhere in post war Europe.

At the same time the official racing team and private racers were furnished with all sorts of racing machines which included a plethora of overhead cam, multiple valve configurations and cylinder designs, culminating in the mythic 500 cc dohc V8 that ended the Guzzi racing era in 1957, when the factory withdrew from racing for financial reasons. Until the mid '40s, the traditional horizontal four stroke single cylinder 500 cc engines outfitted with one overhead and one side valve were the most performance orientated machines that Moto Guzzi sold to the general public. Moto Guzzi won 3,329 official races, 14 World Championships and 11 times the Tourist Trophy. From the beginning the company used racing to promote their brand.

The engineer, and co-founder, Carlo Guzzi's first design was a horizontal single, that in a number of guises dominated the first 45 years of the company's history. From the '30s it was the biggest, and until the '60s, it was the dominant marque amongst Italian motorcycle manufacturers. . Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer that was established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario by the Como Lake at the foot of the alps in northern Italy.

MGS-01 Corsa (1225 cc) 2004 -. Otto Cilindri (500 cc) 1955 - 1957. Bialbero (350 cc) 1954 - 1957. Bialbero (250 cc) 1953 - 1955.

Quattro Cilindri (500 cc) 1952 - 1954. Gambalunghino (250 cc) 1949 - 1952. Gambalunga (500 cc) 1946 - 1951. Dondolino (500 cc) 1946 - 1951.

Bicilindrica (500 cc) 1933 - 1951. Albatros (250 cc ) 1928 - 1933. 250 cc Compressore 1938. 250 cc SS 1928 - 1933.

C 4V (500 cc) 1924 - 1927. Norge 1200 (1134 cc) 2005 -. Griso (1064 cc) 2005 -. Breva V1100 (1064 cc) 2005 -.

Breva V750 i.e. (744 cc) 2002 -. V11 - V11 Le Mans (1064 cc) 1998 -. California Vintage (1064 cc) 2005 -. California - California EV (1064 cc).

Stone - Stone Touring (1064 cc). Nevada Classic 750 i.e. (744 cc). V11 Sport (1064 cc) 1998 - 2001. Quota 1100 ES (1064) 1998 - 2001.

V10 Centauro (992 cc) 1998 - 2001. 1100 Sport (1064 cc) 1994 - 1997. Daytona 1000 IE (992 c) 1991 - 1999. Nevada 350 (346,2 cc) 1991 - 2001.

1000 GT (949 cc) 1987 - 1993. California III (948,8 cc) 1987 - 1993. Le Mans 1000 (948,8 cc) 1984 - 1988. V65 Lario (643,4 cc) 1984 - 1989.

850 T5 (844,05 cc) 1983 - 1987. V35 Custom (346,2 cc) 1982 - 1987. V65 (643,4 cc) 1982 - 1987. California II (948,8 c) 1981 - 1987.

Le Mans III (844 cc) 1980 - 1985. V50 Monza (490,29 cc) 1980 - 1985. V1000 Idroconvert (948,8 cc) 1971 - 1980. V35 (346,2 cc) 1977 - 1980.

V50 (490,29) 1977 - 1979. 1000 SP (948,8 cc) 1977 - 1985. V850 Le Mans (844,05 cc) 1975 - 1980. Nuovo Falcone 500 (499 cc) 1971 - 1976.

V7 750 Sport (748,39 cc) 1971 - 1973. V7 Special 750 (757,49 cc) 1968 - 1974. V7 700cc (703,72 cc) 1967 - 1977. Trotter Special M (48,89 cc) 1966 - 1973.

Dingo 4 marce (48,89 cc) 1963 - 1976. Dingo 3 marce (48,89 cc) 1963 - 1976. Stornello 125 cc (123,1 cc) 1960 - 1975. Lodola Sport (175 cc) 1956 - 1966.

Zigolo (98 cc) 1953 - 1966. Cardellino 73 cc (73 cc) 1956 - 1965. Galletto 160 cc (159,5 cc) 1950 - 1966. Falcone (498,4 cc) 1950 - 1967.

Astore (498,4 cc) 1949 - 1953. Motoleggera 65 cc (64 cc) 1946 - 1954. Dondolino 500 cc (499 cc) 1946 - 1951. Airone (246 cc) 1939 - 1957.

Alce (498,4 cc) 1939 - 1945. GTS (498,4 cc) 1934 - 1940. GT 17 500 cc (499 cc) 1932 - 1939. Sport 15 (498,4 cc) 1931 - 1939.

Sport 14 (498,4 cc) 1929 - 1930. GT "Norge" (498,4 cc) 1928 - 1930. Sport 15 (498,4 cc) 1923 - 1928. Normale (498,4 cc) 1921 - 1924.