MV Agusta 203/220 Bialbero
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorcycle manufacturing, Motorsports |
| Founded | January 1, 1945 |
| Founder | Count Domenico Agusta |
| Headquarters | Gallarate , Italy |
Key people | Count Domenico Agusta, Piero Remor, Arturo Magni |
| Products | Motorcycles, Racing motorcycles |
| Parent | Meccania Verghera Agusta SpA |
The MV Agusta 203 Bialbero alongside the MV Agusta 220 Bialbero were Italian factory-supported racing motorcycles developed by MV Agusta specifically for participation in the 1955 250 cc category of the 1955 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. These models secured three Grand Prix victories, contributing to MV Agusta's triumph in the 250 cc Constructors Championship that year.[1]
History
Meccania Verghera Agusta SpA, based in Gallarate, was primarily a helicopter manufacturer, yet its leader, Count Domenico Agusta, held a strong passion for motorsport. Starting in the late 1940s, he initiated ventures into road racing using his own motorcycle creations. In 1950, he recruited engineers Piero Remor and Arturo Magni, both formerly with successful tenures at Gilera.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Their initial projects included the MV Agusta 125 Bialbero, which shared design elements with the Benelli 250cc racer, and the closely modeled MV Agusta 500 4C, mirroring the Gilera 500 4C. As Count Domenico sought to expand MV Agusta's presence across multiple racing classes, the company’s racing division was tasked with creating a competitive engine for the 250cc category.
MV Agusta 203 Bialbero
By 1955, the initial 125 Bialbero had already been upgraded to a 175 cc variant, as the 175 cc category remained highly favored in Italy during that period. To contend in the 250 cc World Championship, the engine was further increased to 203 cc.[2] MV Agusta selected riders from a trio of retained competitors depending on the event: Bill Lomas, chosen primarily for his expertise on British circuits, Umberto Masetti, and Luigi Taveri.[3][4][5] Lomas had a particularly demanding season, as he was also contracted by Moto Guzzi to race in the 350 and 500 cc divisions. The Isle of Man TT was notably intense for him, participating in four different categories: he finished fourth in the Lightweight 125 cc TT aboard the MV Agusta 125 Bialbero, claimed victory in the Lightweight 250 cc TT with the MV Agusta 203 Bialbero, won the 350cc Junior TT riding a Moto Guzzi Monocilindrica 350, and placed seventh in the 500cc Senior TT on a Moto Guzzi Monocilindrica 500. These results included two wins for Lomas and marked the first triumph for the 203cc MV Agusta. Both Masetti and Taveri also competed in the Lightweight 250 cc TT but failed to finish.[6]
MV Agusta 220 Bialbero
Following the 1955 Isle of Man TT, the engine capacity was increased to 220 cc by enlarging the bore.[2] At the subsequent event, the German motorcycle Grand Prix held at the Nürburgring, only Taveri represented MV Agusta and secured a fourth-place finish.[6] At Assen, Taveri achieved a decisive victory, finishing 41 seconds ahead of Masetti who took second place.[6] The third position was claimed by Hermann Paul Müller riding an NSU Sportmax. Although Müller finished third, it was evident he posed a strong challenge for the world championship. The performances of Taveri and Masetti were crucial for MV Agusta’s standing in the constructors' championship.[6] During the Ulster Grand Prix, Müller placed sixth, while MV Agusta’s results were less impressive with Masetti finishing third and Lomas fourth.[6] In the season's final race, the GP des Nations at Monza, Carlo Ubbiali, already crowned as 125 cc world champion, won the 250cc category for MV Agusta. Lomas finished fifth and Masetti sixth.[6] The world title was claimed by "HP" Müller; Bill Lomas secured second place overall, Luigi Taveri finished fourth, Umberto Masetti fifth, and Carlo Ubbiali seventh.[7] MV Agusta secured the constructor's championship that year.[1]
In the 1956 season, the MV Agusta 220 Bialbero was replaced by a dedicated 250cc model known as the MV Agusta 250 Monocilindrica Bialbero.[2]
Technical data
The 203 Bialbero featured an air-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine equipped with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC). These camshafts were operated via a gear train. The valves were arranged at a 90° angle relative to each other and were sealed by hairpin valve springs. Its bore and stroke measured 68 mm by 56 mm, resulting in an engine displacement of 203.4 cc. Following the Isle of Man TT, the bore dimension was increased to 71 mm, which raised the engine capacity to 220 cc.
Power transmission involved a wet, multi-plate clutch driven through gears connected to the crankshaft. The gearbox comprised five speeds, with power delivered to the rear wheel via a chain.
The frame of the MV Agusta was a double cradle type, constructed from 25 mm × 1.2 mm chrome-molybdenum (41xx) steel tubing. Suspension included a telescopic front fork and a rear swingarm equipped with hydraulic shock absorbers.
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