After World War Two, Moto Guzzi wanted to offer a motorcycle that was as light (leggera) and cheap as possible. That became the Motoleggera two-stroke, launched in 1946. Despite the cost savings, it was still equipped with rear suspension. The success was enormous, with 50,000 units sold before 1949. From 1953 the engine received a cast iron cylinder head, previously aluminium. The model also achieved 27 speed records, including 96.051 km/h (60 mph).
This 1953 65 cc Moto Guzzi Motoleggera is on display at Autoworld, Belgium’s national motor museum, in Brussels.
