MV AGUSTA MONZA
In
1977 the MV Agusta marque was nearing the end of its era of greatness
on road and racetrack. Phil Read had won the factory's 17th
consecutive 500cc world championship three years earlier, before the
thundering Italian four-stroke had finally been outpaced by Japanese
two-strokes. The Agusta firm's financial problems were not helped by
sales of its unprofitable roadgoing fours.
But
MV had one final throw of the dice in the Monza, the fastest and most
exotic superbike that the original Agusta firm would ever build.
Essentially a hotted-up version of the 750S America, which had been
introduced to the US market two years earlier, the Monza combined
breathtaking, racetrack-inspired styling with stunning performance
from a biggest yet 837cc four-cylinder engine.
In
both style and spirit the Monza was very close to the America, itself
a direct descendent of the 750 Sport with which MV had belatedly
arrived on the superbike scene at the start of the decade.
Like
the Sport, the America was powered by a bellowing four-cylinder
engine whose dohc layout, but not its shaft final drive, was inspired
by MV's grand prix machines. The America was so named because it had
been developed at the request of the firm's US agent, and had been
intended for sale exclusively in the States.
As
well as more angular styling plus a red and silver paint scheme
inspired by the all-conquering racers, the America had a larger 790cc
engine. smaller
26mm carbuettors (they were easier to keep balanced), left-foot
gearchange, improved output of 75bhp, and top speed of over 130mph
(210km/h). The America was heavy, its high-speed handling was not
perfect and it was expensive. (Its $6000 price explained why far
fewer were sold than the US importer had predicted.) But it was a
hugely desirable motorbike.
The Monza
was even better. Its engine was enlarged by a 2mm increase in bore,
giving dimensions of 69 x 56mm and capacity of 837cc. Compression
ratio was increased, a new Marelli distributor was fitted, and the
camshafts were new. Reverting to the Sport's larger 27mm Dell'Orto
carburettors also helped increase claimed output to no less than
85bhp at 8750rpm
MV AGUSTA MONZA
Meticulous
preparation
Monza
performance was further boosted because the bikes were prepared by
MV's former race team mechanics led by chief engineer Arturo Magni
(who by this time, realizing that MV was nearing the end, had also
set up his own firm nearby, selling cast wheels and tuning parts).
This meticulous preparation meant that a new Monza roared to over
140mph (225km/h), especially when fitted with a Magni exhaust with
its four elegantly curved black silencers.
Chassis
changes were minimal, as the Monza combined MV's familiar frame with
the cast wheels and triple-disc Brembo brake system that had been an
option on later Americas. One thing that had changed was the bike's
name, at least in Britain, where it had been called the Boxer until
Ferrari (who had a car of that name) had objected. Whatever the name,
few were built before MV ceased production in 1978. The Monza was a
suitably glorious way to end the line.
MV AGUSTA MONZA prices 2014
MINT BIG BUCK'S & DEEP POCKET'S
GOOD
FAIR
PROJECT
No comments:
Post a Comment