CYCLE ROAD IMPRESSION THEGOOccMV AGUSTAFOUR By building a version of his fabulous dohc racing engine into a touring frame, Count has created a unique, weird and wonderful collectors dream. otorcycle collectors, .take heart. and he has placed variously in U.S. M Here is one that will really add nationals (AMA) and in AAMRR races. class to your flock. The MV four, after He's raced the TT at the Isle of Man nearly thirty years on the international and built drag bikes and sold motor- racing scene, is now available in lim- cycles in Philadelphia and generally ited numbers as a 600cc touring mount. kept his thumb in many motorcycle It's big and it's unique and it's very, pots. Ed reported he's set up his own very sophisticated in a classic sort of motorcycle engineering firm, one of way. The price you pay for a machine whose activities will be to import and with one of the world's most famous sell the MV four. His U.S. price $2889.02. engines is just shy of three grand-not So we leaped into our van one 20° very much for a collector's item. morning and sped to Philadelphia, justly CYCLEMagazine has been trying to fired up over riding the world's second lay its hands on the MV four ever since living production-line four- we heard it was going into production. motorcycle (second to the Munch Mam- That is, since we heard last. The MV moth). After meeting Big Ed and star- four, it seems, has been dangled before ing dumbly at the monstrous machine, the enthusiast's eye numerous times we headed for a nearby proving ground. throughout the last twenty years, usually Ed followed our van, riding the MV. at the big European cycle shows, and Above the roar of our own in-cab V-8 always accompanied by much ballyhoo, engine, we could only hear the whine and oohing and aahing by an impressed of the MV's double overhead cam mech- public. Only l

APRIL 1968 49 MV AGUSTA 4 Continued tery. When not acting as a starter, this only two tiny (24mm) , de- besides the fixed (shaft) drive ratio, that unit becomes a 12v, 135 watt, dc dynamo spite intake valves for each cylinder of nobody's likely to go racing with his to recharge the battery, drive the igni- 30mm diameter. Little carburetors, 600cc prize. The engine smacks of the tion coil, power the light, turn signals, a heavy flywheel, fixed gearing all sug- racetrack where it was bred, but all etc. Up front there are mechanical disc gest an engine for gentle touring use, else is for the highway. The MY four brakes and a two-tone in-town or open- Yet the engine revs comfortably to well is a specialty bike and that specialty is road horn. There is also a great rectan- over 8000, has those big valves, and a luxury touring alone. gular headlight that would easily illu- modern, oversquare 58 x 56 - Despite its bad case of the uglies, the- minate the Houston Astrodome. ratio. One must conclude that Count MY does what it's made for very well. A look at the technical characteris- Agusta wanted to produce an Ul1tam- That great bulbous gastank is a horror tics of the engine reveals a sharp con- perable engine, but just couldn't help (and doesn't hold much gas) and the trast with its performance as fitted to 'making one that twangs the mainstrings headlight-cum-control module has equal- this luxury tourer. Displacing 36 cubic of a tuner's imagination. Four 30mm ly absurd bulk, The two-level seat is inches, it generates 50 bhp at 8200 carburetors, improved cam timing, a comfortable, but awkward-looking and rpm, or almost one-and-a-half bhp per tuned exhaust, a hot cam, compression .two rear outboard snuff-tins are too cubic inch. In terms of tune, that puts ratio in the twelves (up from 9.3) and large for tools and too small for any- it on the hot end between a conventional you'd get an easy 70 bhp, thing else. You collectors will love this tourer and a real spdrts scorcher. What But the Count laid on a frame and machine, but your eye may take its is surprising is that the engine wears suspension so ugly and unmanageable, time getting used to the Count's notion

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50 CYCLE of style. All of which you forget im- pedal, or one up and four down with Luckily, you don't want to stop ab- mediately when you get aboard. the toe. Like most transmissions, this ruptly either, for the brakes aren't up Staring down at the tank and head- one takes a little getting used to. In a to it. That front twin-disc unit is clean, light nacelle makes you think you're few sequences you get it very positively light, and handsome, but it doesn't work on something BIG. In point of fact, and find clutch operation suitably smooth. very well. Grabbing a handful of brake however, the MY weighs 484 pounds, Ease open the throttle, ease out the lever produces a funny shuddering in more by 40 than a BMW, but less by clutch and you're off and running. There the front end and the bike slows down. over a hundred than a Harley 74, less is no other feeling like it. You just move You don't have to worry about lock- even than an electric-start Sportster. out, change gears whenever you feel ing her up. Like a should, Which is what you set about while you're like it, and keep humming along. Al- this one has a very graduated feel and sitting there. The MY has no provision most makes you want to start humming no inclination toward snatchiness. We for kickstarts, so you push the button yourself. Power is very, very steady and don't know whether the shuddering is and the engine fires up straight-away. that heavy flywheel keeps the rear tire typical or unique to this one unit. Ed Bump starting a machine of this size from screaming if you yank open the told us there was a "rough spot" on one is no snap, but you can do it. Blipping throttle. But the MY is just too damn of the discs that he hadn't gotten around the throttle produces a hum from some- majestic for any of that throttle yank- to removing. In any case, mechanical where, that whine of valve noise, and ing. Even if you're shifting at 8000, you as opposed to hydraulic calipers present the tach is up to four thousand. want it to be smooth, don't want any- the problem of getting enough pressure Gear operation is by right-foot rocker thing uncomfortably abrupt. Continued on page 86

APRIL1968 51 we cha~ge it when you buy it!

Hap Jones moto,rcycle batteries are the new dry charged type. They can be stored on the braking pads. Used in conjunc- NGI< indefinitely! When you buy a battery the tion with the rear drum brake, the discs dealer adds the charging agent. This will stop you adequately-but they are a bit of a disappointment when, for the FITS assures you a fresh, new battery, with all same cost, MY might have used a good the power that was built into !t at the Fontana racing unit. factory. Hap Jones batteries have extra The handling of the MY proved about ALL heavy plates, double fiberglass insulation, average for a heavy tourer. You get and can be tipped horizontally without the feeling that if something should go wrong (like a high-speed wobble) there spilling or leaking. Models to fit all makes isn't much you could do about it. But CYCLES! of cycles. the ride is soft and cushy and the engine so smooth as to be unbelievable. You swing gently through curves and back and forth in the esses and you feel that In fact,.NGK is original equipment on several ten hours in the saddle would go effort- leading makes. And the same reason- lessly. There are lots of gadgets to fiddle copper-center electrode-that makes this with if you get restless-like the twin unique spark plug tops for motorcycles is horns and twin signals and light con- true for automobiles! So why not try NGK trols. The machine should do the ton in your car? Ask your cycle dealer to show and better without strain, though it you his NGK conversion chart and put a new' may take its time getting there. Not that spark in your driving. Dealers, order from: the MY is a slug; it should ET in the Hap Jones Distributing Co. fifteens at about 90--no great showing 2 Clinton Park, San Francisco, California 94103 for 50 bhp. Weight hampers acceller- and 343 North Court, Prattville, Alabama 36067 Distributor for Hap Jones batteries and a complete line of cycle parts and accessories. ation but makes for a very stable ride, Dealers, write for catalog. ideal for long distances. 86 CYCLE @: Most of the MY's castings are alu- minum alloy and the rims are alloy I . H~W YOU 'CAN .~: and the rear fender, battery covers and I BUILD YOUR OWN PI$Zsp~dIYI IMINI or TRAIL CYCLE I headlight shell are fiberglass. Rear shocks are adjustable and seemed like good I FRAME for less than $10! : units. There is no airfilter on the car- : SAVE UP TO $50 IN COSTS! iA 1 buretors, a fact that we found disturb- I Newproven plans with complete parts list show how I to use inexpensive materials to build your own pro- I I fessional Mini or Trail Cycle at home! Easy to build! I ing. It would be positively criminal I Step by step procedures! Requires only a few hand I to let that beautiful and complicated tools and very little welding Plans only $2 ppd. I engine erode away from ingested bits -1.,1:a.'" Both plans $3.50. Money back 1 guarantee. Send check. cash or 1 of grit. The four exhaust pipes dispose M.O. to: GO CYCLE 00pt.9141 themselves into two , which, 915 NORTH HOLLYWOOD WAY I as we have said, were very effective. ~u~~~ ~L~D~~ ~5~ J All in all, the MY package appears to have been very thoroughly thought out-as in 30 years it might well have MOTORCYCLE been. PARTS AND Collectors will love the MY -four with its air of the exotic and the sophis- ACCESSORIES ticated, with its racing history of world Ct.,s""" It! championships and near misses. Engine XLCH ~NUALS ALLOY RlbJ\S output is high, along with much evidence WELD. BRAZE. SOLDER, CUT. Tops In performanee --AJS; Mltchle,,; CWKm ~ and value. Ideal gift, edueallonal, profitable. enjoy- A" able. No experIence needed. Use 'AI" welding rods and CUSTOM 0100\" of quality materials and thoughtful as- ',4" carbons to make or repaIr auto bodies. fenders, trollers. boats, toyS,.furniture, farm equIpment, garden ~ c.~" . ' \ i,tieIG; sembly-the whole lot should make tools, anytblng of metal, even aluminum. Operates on . -~ "',." ~. , ,ojl 100,000 miles with little more than an 110V. line. Producesto 11,000°.Completereadyto usc. - ..o,ttO\ AR'EL. ',s" WORLD'S GREATEST WELDER VALUE. BRAND LA"""" ~OtlDA NEW. VOU CAN PAV MORE BUT YOU CAN'T .. '1, occasional valve job. The roar of the GET A BETTER LOW COST WELDER. Over 300,000 In use by .home owners, farmers. hObbyists ,allllAt" ~ SPffo EQUIPMENT --. great MY racing fours was a wonderful .nd mechanlcs.LIFETIME UNCONDITIONAL GUAR. ANTEE. Simply return. We w!1l repair or replace and """"Ii\~ v~1 YAAWIA thing, only recently replaced by the roar ship free of charge. Vou Get: FULL.FACE SHIELD, ~ v-. HAI1IY-I>AVIDSOHToO Is heav,. metal cabinet. ground clamp, 12 ft. heavy cables. of World ChampiQll Agostini's MY SPECIAL comblnalloncarbonarc torch & rod holder, Send 10. today Ita cover mailing' for your carbons. welding and brazing rods, flux. solder, welding three. You get a lot of history and very manual. ORDER ON to-DAY MONEY BACK TRIAL. illustrated catalog of all Cycle Supplies parts exciting ride in this touring version of and pay $16.95 plus C.O.D. and accessories available from: mmI!mDm!Icharges on delivery, those famous bikes. Ed LaBelle will im- or' send only $18.93 for postpaid shipment In U.S.A. CALIFORNIACYCLESUPPLY port about a dozen of them this year. FREE f{.~~ :rrtmo1h~~::' f~Xre:~~ve.o'~~r~ FREE P.O. Box 192. DeptMCFairbury, Illinois 61739 Get in touch with him (P.O. Box 332, 'DUll-WAY WI'IQI'Ilr/l Secane, Pa. 19018) if you want a ride IBIO So. Federal St., DlPt.'RB2-D' CIIJ.ogO, 60616 that's expensive and rare and exclusive, Not for the many, this bike is a collec- CYCLE TRAILERS tor's item that just happens to be ride- . Cycle BUY DIRECT AND SAVE! SUBSCRIBERSERVICE ~~. @ MV AGUSTA FOUR Pleaseincludeanaddresslabelwhenwritingabout your subscriptionto help us serveyou promptly. Price, suggested retai I ... . . East Coast Writeto: Portland Place, Boulder,Colo. 80302 POE $2889 CHANGEOFAODRESS: TAFFIX LABEL-. Tires, front...... 3.50 in. x 18in. Pleaseletusknowyou r - """-r --' rear , 4.00in.xI8in. are moving at least I ~ ~. §. 5 ::1 Brakes, front...... twin discs, four to six weeks in I ~ ~ 8- ~ g I advance.Affix maga- ~ iif 216 mm diameter line addresslabel in I ;;;I rear. . . Drum 200 m'm x 45 mm spaceto the right and =>1 print newaddressbe- I ::. Engine type. '. . . . Double overhead cam, four-stroke four low. If you have a I gI question about your _I Bore and stroke...... 58 mm x 56 mm subscription, attach displacement. . .36 cu. in., 592cc addresslabel to your I ~ ~ I Compression ratio '.' ...... 9.3: 1 letter. I 9 ~ I TO SUBSCRIBE: ~~. Carburetion ...... ; (2) 24 mm, Dellorto Checkboxesbelow. I :::.;; I Air filtration None 0 New 0 Renewal I 51 Ignition. . . Distributor, battery and coil 0 3 years$13 ~ All have 1000 lb. carrying capacity. . .480x8- 0 2 years$9~. I ~I Bhp@rpm 50@8200 4 ply Generaltires on 4 lug demountablewheels Lighting. . . .. 12 v alternator, 135 watts (480x12-$12.50 extra per trailer) . . . tail 0 1year $5 I~ ~ I lights, license bracket & connector. . . Non- SPECIFY: g. [ Battery 12v,18ah tipper track loaded for safety. . . wakewhite I I (other colors $5 extra) . . . 0 Paymentenclosed- - ~ Gear ratios, internal. . (1) 3.57 (2) 2.43 Youget 1 extraissue L.- oJ '- - .J (3) 1.68 (4) 1.24 (5) 1.00 Single track trailer $126.50 per year as a BONUS! Add'IPostage,$IPeryearoutside Double track trailer $138.50 0 Bill me later. [u.s., its possessions& Canada.j Gear ratios, overall. . . (1) 20.0 (2) 13.6 Three track trailer $149.00 (3) 9.43 (4) 6.96 (5) 5.60 Shipping weight approximately 225 Ibs. Freight Wheelbase 54.8 in. prepaid anywhere within the continental United please print 0065 States except Alaska. . . Send 25% deposit Seat height 31.5 in. with order. . . BalanceC.O.D.or checkfor full Amount. addre" Ground clearance...... 6.7 in. KINGFISH TRAILER MFG. CO. Curb weight 487 lb. cilV Rt. 2, Box 142B Instruments. . .. Speed/odometer, tach. Leon Valley, San Antonio, Texas 78220 slale zip-cade APRIL 1968 87