Bartali

Moto Gino Bartali

1954 Moto Gino Bartali 160 cc Corsa ^{Photo by Theo Jonkhart}

1953 - 1961

Bartali (Mototecnica Dell’Italia Centrale S.r.L) based in Florence began in 1953 and founded by the ex-cyclist Gino Bartali who began to build motorcycles, starting with a conventional 160-cc two-stroke version. The first Moto Gino Bartali Turismo was released, soon followed by the Strada and Sport.

In reality, his small factory in Florence was nothing less than an assembly with 160 cc two-stroke power mainly blocks of FBM (Bologna Fabrica Motocicli). But the 50 cc and 125 cc two-stroke models in the market next 125 cc, 175 cc, and 200 cc four-stroke engine. But many said it really not so.

End of 1954 saw a super model, designed for long-distance. This was the 160cc Marziano with 10 hp and a compression ratio of 1:10 a dynamo, primary chain, four acceleration cycles, clip-ons, race seat and rear mounted foot rests. According to Bartali: "This was enough to reach 130 km/h" but in practice even with the wind and the sun at the back, only ever reached 120 km/h. Because of this, the model was doomed in the shadow of the other brands.

They were undeterred, at the 1954 Moto Giro d'Italia race with MTM Marcucci, Pozzato and Gatto. Marcucci just posted some good results allowing some sales of this model, for this size marque, to be at least considered, was yet quite nice. The minor street races in the country ended and this model mainly landed in the middle of the results.

In 1955, they added a Marziano model, with a 160 cc, two-stroke engine and a with four-speed transmission, a model for competition which was able to reach 130 km/h.

In 1956, in addition to the Marziano, Bartali build a moped with a 48 cc two-stroke engine in a Touring and Sport version. The most important that year, however, was the 175 cc engine motorcycle with four-stroke single-cylinder, with rocker arms and rods, a new four-speed transmission and 11 hp of power with sporting features. In 1957, presented a new motorcycle, with a 125 cc two stroke engines with a four speed transmission in the block, capable of reaching 100 km/h. In 1958, it still listed all of these models except the 175 cc four stroke moped, while there is a motion to strike the 160 cc two-stroke model.

Several models, with some modifications compared to earlier one were in production for 1959, while the new Gabbiano, with a chassis made of sheet metal and a 125 cc two-stroke engine with horizontal cylinders was introduced. Cycle champ Gino did some branding and even put his name on wines and after shave.

Activity ceased in 1961 at Bartali (whose name had changed to Mototecnica Central) and they closed their doors for good.

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