A-Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers

Italian motorcycles have a place in history - and many enthusiasts' hearts - out of all proportion to the numbers that have been built. From Moto Guzzi becoming the first non-British marque to win a TT through to Ducati's achievements in MotoGP, they have also been at the forefront of motorsport despite being far smaller than, at first, the British and later the Japanese manufacturers. If the number of motorcycles built by Italian manufacturers is small, the sheer number of Italian motorcycle factories will surprise readers. Almost 600 marques were identified in researching this book, and there may have been thousands. This is partly because there were so many engines available off the shelf - many of them English - as well as a thriving accessory and component industry. A-Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers only deals briefly with the grand marques Ducati and Moto Guzzi because there have been many dedicated books about them. Instead this is a definitive guide to the factories that have been less widely covered or, in most cases, never before in the English language. Some, such as Bianchi and Garelli, might be familiar: others, remembered for their racing achievements or uniqueness, such as Morbidelli, and many you may have never heard of. But if it was possible to establish when and where the factories were active, and at least a little about the motorcycles they built, then there is an entry for them. An appendix lists the other manufacturers that are lesser known, making this the most complete reference book of Italian motorcycles available today. This book is a complete guide to Italian motorcycle manufacturers, and an essential reference for anyone with an interest in these fascinating vehicles. Italian motorcycles have a place in history - and many enthusiasts' hearts - out of all proportion to the numbers that have been built. From Moto Guzzi becoming the first non-British marque to win a TT through to Ducati's achievements in MotoGP, they have also been at the forefront of motorsport despite being far smaller than, at first, the British and later the Japanese manufacturers. If the number of motorcycles built by Italian manufacturers is small, the sheer number of Italian motorcycle factories will surprise readers. Almost 600 marques were identified in researching this book, and there may have been thousands. This is partly because there were so many engines available off the shelf - many of them English - as well as a thriving accessory and component industry. A-Z of Italian Motorcycle Manufacturers only deals briefly with the grand marques Ducati and Moto Guzzi because there have been many dedicated books about them. Instead this is a definitive guide to the factories that have been less widely covered or, in most cases, never before in the English language. Some, such as Bianchi and Garelli, might be familiar: others, remembered for their racing achievements or uniqueness, such as Morbidelli, and many you may have never heard of. But if it was possible to establish when and where the factories were active, and at least a little about the motorcycles they built, then there is an entry for them. An appendix lists the other manufacturers that are lesser known, making this the most complete reference book of Italian motorcycles available today. This book is a complete guide to Italian motorcycle manufacturers, and an essential reference for anyone with an interest in these fascinating vehicles.

Greg Pullen trained and enjoyed a career as a chartered surveyor, being awarded the RICS postgraduate diploma in building conservation in 1995, and finally retiring as a Fellow in 2009 to pursue his interest in Italian motorcycles. His lifelong love affair with two wheels began in the sports moped and Barry Sheene era, growing up in rural Wiltshire during the long, hot summers of the 1970s. An obsession with motorcycles and Italian food soon led to particular affection with Italian motorcycles, and especially Ducati. This has included owning far too many and competing in four Motogiro d'Italia. He has been fortunate to have had private tours of Italian motorcycle factories and private collections to better understand the history and machines of Italy. Greg is also a consultant to Bonhams collectors' motorcycles department. Greg has written on Italian motorcycles for many magazines including Classic Bike, Classic Bike Guide and Bike, alongside his own publication, Benzina. He is also the author of three other books for Crowood on Ducati Desmodue, Moto Guzzi and Honda V4s, as well as his self-published Ducati and the TT.