MV Agusta 125 Sport SE

The MV Agusta 125 Sport SE was a sport motorcycle built from 1975 to 1977 by the Italian manufacturer MV Agusta.[2] It was one of the last models to be produced by Meccanica Verghera at their Cascina Costa plant.[4]

MV Agusta 125 Sport SE
MV Agusta 125 Sport SE
ManufacturerMV Agusta
Production1975-1977
Predecessor125 Sport GTL-S
ClassSport bike
Engine123.5 cc (8 cu in) Single-cylinder OHV four-stroke
Bore / stroke53 mm × 56 mm (2.1 in × 2.2 in)
Compression ratio10.5:1
Power14 bhp (10 kW) @ 8,500 rpm
Ignition typeElectronic ignition
TransmissionWet, multi-plate clutch, unit construction 5-speed gearbox, chain drive
Frame typeDouble cradle
SuspensionFront: Telescopic forks
Rear: swinging arm with hydraulic dampers
BrakesFront: 230 mm disc brake
Rear: 136 mm drum brake
TiresFront: 2.75 x 18
Rear; 2.75 x 18
Wheelbase1,300 mm
DimensionsL: 1,940 mm
W: 620 mm
Weight243 lb (110 kg) (dry)
Footnotes / references
[1][2][3]

Background

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125 cc was a popular class in Italy, MV having produced four-stroke 125s since 1954,[5] including sports models such as the "125 Rapido Sport" model, produced from the second half of the 1950s,[6] and the "GTLS" of the early 1970s.[7]

Following the death of Count Domenico Agusta in 1971,[8] the financial situation of MV Agusta suffered a rapid decline, brought on by competition from low cost, high quality Japanese motorcycles and ongoing labour problems.[9] For 1975, MV Agusta range was reduced to 3 models, all of which were new. They were presented at a press conference in Milan by Corrado Agusta and senior MV staff.[10] The three new models were the 750 Sport America, built at the request of Chris Garville and Jim Cotherman of Commerce Overseas Corporation, the US MV importers;[11] the 350 Ipotesi, styled by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro (who had previously designed the Suzuki RE5);[9] and the 125 Sport SE, which was styled along the lines of the Ipotesi.[2]

Although these new model were presented as the beginning of a new era for MV and the start of an ambitious programme of releasing road bikes based on the GP machines,[10] MV Agusta stopped manufacturing motorcycles in 1977.[12]

Model Details

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1976 MV Agusta Sport SE with optional fairing.

Developed from the 125 Sport GTL-S, the machine followed the striking horizontal lines and sharp contours of Giugiaro's Ipotesi. Departing from MV's usual practice of using a mixture of sheet and tubular steel frame[7] a new all tube frame was used, which was finished in silver. Like the Ipotesi, a humped seat with the rear mudguard attached and side panels with slots were fitted. Ceriani front forks and a Scarab disc brake gave the front end a modern look.[13]

Although the single-cylinder engine's heritage dates back to the 1950s Centomila[8] (so called because MV Agusta claimed the engine was capable of exceeding 100,000 km),[14] the engine featured new, squarer casings. A square alloy cylinder was fitted with a matching square cylinder head. The pushrod engine retained the 53 x 56 mm bore and stroke of previous engines. Compression ratio was raised to 10.5:1 and, breathing through a 24 mm carburettor,[2] power output was 14 bhp (10 kW) @ 8,500 rpm. Electronic ignition was fitted and the gearbox has 5 speeds.[13]

The machine was finished in red and silver with a silver frame and a black exhaust, the traditional colours of the MV GP machines. A fairing was offered as an optional extra.[2][13]

References

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  1. ^ "MV 125 Sport Specification". MV Agusta. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e "125 Sport "SE"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  3. ^ "MV Agusta 125 Sport Tipo 218". www.mv-agusta-club.de. MV Agusta Club Deutschland. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  4. ^ "1975 MV Agusta 125 - SE Sport". www.classicdriver.com. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  5. ^ "125 "Turismo Rapido"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  6. ^ "125 Turismo "Rapido Sport"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  7. ^ a b "125 Sport "GTL-S"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  8. ^ a b Walker 1998, p. 220.
  9. ^ a b Falloon 2011, p. 168.
  10. ^ Branch, Ben (7 December 2017). "The Rare MV Agusta 750S America". Silodrome. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  11. ^ Gardiner, Mark (22 March 2018). "The resurrection of MV Agusta... again". www.revzilla.com. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  12. ^ a b c "1976 MV Agusta 125 Sport Frame no. 21801056 Engine no. 21801081". www.bonhams.com. Bonhams. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  13. ^ "125 TR "Centomila"" (PDF). www.glaagusta.org. Retrieved 11 August 2019.

Bibliography

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