The C 2V, which means ‘Corsa Due Valvole’ ortwo-valve race bike, was the first Guzzi racing machine, created just seven years after the factory started. And lucky Adam Bolton gets to ride it!
Making a trip to Italy to test classic bikes has obvious pleasures, but I assure you that it’s also very hard work! What it never is, is predictable, and even with the planning and organisation that I put in at my end, it’s impossible to really know what might happen or what I might end up riding, as the Italian way of doing things is just – different.
And that makes things slightly stressful, very exciting – or both.
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This time around was no different and the weather wasn’t its usual Mediterranean self either. “It’s been lovely here,” everyone tells me, “you must have brought the English rain with you.”
Then a casual mention of a Moto Guzzi competition machine by a contact of mine got my pulse racing. A couple of phone calls later and I’m promised: “We can go there tomorrow and see it.”
The day arrives with blue skies and sunshine and a trip to San Miniato, which sits between Pisa and Florence, sees us rolling up at an underground workshop and garage. I’m met by Sandro Laici and Giuliano Tamburini, both warm and enthusiastic in their greetings: “We’re members of the Moto Storiche Toscane – welcome!”
They open the doors to reveal a treasure trove of machines, sidecars, old helmets, posters and engines. I’ve been in this situation many times before but the excitement of seeing so many fine motorcycles in one place never fails to hit home.
I spot at once various Moto Guzzi singles, a Falcone, a GTW, a Sport 15, all lovely, but then I spot another, older Guzzi skulking towards the back, low and lean, no lights, and hand gear change.
Read more and view more images in the April 2019 issue of CBG – on sale now!
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